Vacation Scheme Review

The days typically started with a talk / presentation arranged by graduate recruitment regarding an area of the Firm. These typically began at 9:00 / 9:30 and lasted for 45 minutes. Breakfast was included which was a nice touch. Following the presentations it would be back to our department for that week, where we had been given a piece of written work by our supervisors which needed cracking on with. Lunchtime presentations also very common, similarly to the breakfast talks.

Various, as a non law student the scheme provided me with the opportunity to gain and develop skills. Across seats I was expected to research various tasks and challenges which involved getting acquainted with practical law & other reuters websites. Once these had been done, I had to summarise information concisely without losing a significant meaning regarding the broader picture. Working in an office environment & communicating with my supervisors about working styles, expectations, and deadlines was also great.

It's not a scheme open to people who don't know about the Firm before going in. The assessment centres are great to investigate who actually has researched the Firm and knows what they're talking about, as you simply wouldn't pass if you did not understand the business. The scheme did however offer a great opportunity to expand my knowledge about the Firm & how individual departments operate to generate revenue for the wider company.

Very welcoming. Not just were people always saying good morning & making conversation with you, they also were there to answer questions & direct you in the written tasks. The supervisors were really considerate of ability, and didn't pile work on you which you couldn't reasonably achieve without using your brain a little. Although this is not to say that the tasks given were menial or boring. It's a testament to the Firm that the partners were easy to talk to.

Very. The scheme was great & really offered the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the sector and if a career in law is one for me. The word count for this is 75 and I don't know what else to add, so please ignore this section onwards. I had a really enjoyable time, there was a fantastic variety of events which gave a great insight into what life is like as a trainee. I would recommend.

Yes

Go to open days & careers dinners to get your foot in the door. It is hard to answer the why Herbert Smith Freehills section if you do not necessarily have an in person, first hand, experience of what the people are like. Proof read your application, I read loads as a campus ambassador for another firm and you can always tell who will get an assessment centre and who will not. Be enthusiastic, it always comes across well.