Vacation Scheme Placement Review

During a two week vacation scheme placement I sat in the Property team. Throughout the placement, I had the opportunity to get involved with exciting projects and learn more about the firm and its clients. A highlight of the placement was attending an in person client meeting to make attendance notes on an exciting future project.

The placement further developed my interest in property law and helped me develop a well rounded understanding of the day to day tasks of a trainee solicitor sitting in this department. The skills I developed ranged from legal drafting to observing client meetings and how to always adopt a forward thinking mentality when working on a client matter.

During the placement there were several insightful presentations regarding opportunities at the firm. Additionally, having had the opportunity to travel to the London office on the first day of the scheme presented further opportunities to meet various legal professionals at the firm and better understand the firms international presence.

To gain further insight into the firm’s culture, I took the opportunity when I had capacity to schedule coffee catchups with various trainees and associates within the firm. Doing so reaffirmed my perception of the firm as one which is innovative, market leading and welcoming. Hearing trainees speak so fondly of the firm excited me for the opportunities that it offered.

I thoroughly enjoyed the vacation scheme placement. Everyone was welcoming and took the time to answer any questions I had. The scheme was well organised and had a great mixture of online talks whilst allowing sufficient time to delve into work. Although spending two weeks in one department presented the opportunity to have more of an in depth experience, in my view I would have found it beneficial to have worked in two departments.

Yes

A tip I would give others when applying to Pinsent Masons is to engage with the firm as early as possible. For instance, in my first year of university I had taken part in the first year work experience placement and therefore could demonstrate why I wanted to be a part of the firm during the vacation scheme application process. I also found that attending social events and using LinkedIn helped me secure a place on the scheme.