Work Experience Placement Student Review

- completing assigned tasks for each department I was working in: construction, real estate, private client, commercial dispute resolution and employment - attending a MS Teams session on diversity and inclusion and about the learning and development programme - attending social events with the trainees and other staff members such as lunch and evening drinks - attending court twice for construction and commercial dispute resolution related matters - carrying out independent research about letters of intent to help a trainee with their webinar preparation

Yes, I have been able to build upon various existing skills such as communication skills as I have had interactions with various staff in the office such as trainees and paralegals My time management skills have improved as I had the responsibility of completing the assigned tasks from each department in a short space of time, yet maintaining the quality of my work. My research skills have strengthened due to completing research to help the trainees for their webinar.

clear advice was given from all the staff about roles available such as being a paralegal or a trainee and we were always encouraged to ask questions. I have developed a better understanding about the route to qualify as a solicitor in NI regarding the IPLS exam and now have a greater understanding of the responsibility trainee solicitors have and what their role involves. On the first day the partner of the firm gave us an insightful talk about the values and Gateley's mission which enabled us to start the programme with a deep understanding of the work carried out.

Really friendly workplace with a relaxed atmosphere which allowed me to ask questions regarding various issues such as the route to qualify and ask for feedback on tasks completed. We went for lunch two days with various staff member and there was a trainee drinks social which allowed us to ask questions in a more informal setting. During the week everyone was really helpful and made an effort to get to know us and answer any questions we had about the firm or as qualifying as a solicitor.

I really enjoyed the insight and learnt a lot more about working in law and what various departments are like. There were lots of opportunities for us to get involved and complete work which helped us figure out which departments we would be interested in working in in the future and if commercial law is the right fit. I thoroughly enjoyed my week and will apply for a training contract once they open for the 2024 intake.

Yes

Research the firm thoroughly so you have plenty of content to include in your cover letter and make sure to proof read before submitting to spot any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Also, keep your CV to 1 page as specified when I applied and ensure that the most important and relevant parts are included. Mention any relevant work experience you may have in the cover letter as well as any skills gained from participating in extracurricular activities and how they will aid you for completing work experience/ a placement.