Discover Placement Review

Every day at Shoosmiths was unique yet followed a consistent structure. I would arrive around 8:30 and meet with my trainee buddy. Together, we would have a casual chat to outline the day's agenda. My tasks varied, including legal work, attending webinars, and working on my project for the final day assessment. These days offered an excellent balance between handling legal assignments and gaining insight into the operations of a law firm.

I believe the most significant development I experienced was in my networking skills. From the outset, we were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and engage with everyone, including the highly approachable partners. This practice boosted my confidence and enhanced my soft skills, which proved essential for the later assessment center.

Gaining an understanding of the various roles and operations at Shoosmiths truly opened my eyes to how a law firm functions. Through webinars and conversations, I received valuable insights into the daily work of lawyers, the significance of business development, and the firm's dedication to data and analytics to meet client needs. It was also enlightening to learn about roles beyond solicitors, such as Legal PAs, who handle anything and everything - I was given the advice to stay on their good side :)

The culture and atmosphere were fantastic. I was part of the Employment team, and everyone made me feel welcome, often going out of their way to provide work or offer advice. The positive experience extended beyond my immediate team as well. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which I could approach partners for a chat, and they were always willing to oblige. Overall, it felt like a happy place to work and be part of a cohesive team.

I loved the insight into Shoosmiths and knew straight away it was the place I wanted to start my career. The people were a pleasure to be around and the tasks provided were engaging and extremely useful. I felt like I left after the week as an improved individual but also had a great time doing so.

Yes

I would highly recommend applying to the discover placement if possible. It gives you a real insight to see if the firm is for you but also a head start for the dreaded assessment day. I reflected on my experiences and used them on the assessment - for example in my written task I name dropped a partner I met, and a piece of legal tech Shoosmiths use. Beyond the placement I would recommend trying to ascertain where your motivations specifically align with Shoosmiths and get this across at every stage. Don’t waste time being generic, your answers need to be developed personally. Furthermore, I would focus on commercial awareness. It was quite difficult to use this at the assessment centre with no direct questions, however if you find a way to slide it in, it can go a long way.