Summer Clerk Review

by Baker McKenzie

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.7/5
  • The Role
    3.6
  • The Company
    4.2
  • The Culture
    3.1

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • It's a really well run scheme and clearly a lot of preparation is put in beforehand to make sure that everything runs smoothly and work is set at the appropriate level. A range of social events and a number of talks give you a real flavour of the firm.

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • Baker & McKenzie's whole ethos is about friendliness, and this really comes across. Everyone, even the partners, is happy to offer advice and help out -- and there is even the chance to meet the Managing Committee over lunch.

    5/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • Of course your supervisors are incredibly busy, and you can't rely on them for everything. However, that is a good thing as you are expected to be proactive and seek out work from a range of people in the department.

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • Supervisors are clearly encouraged to give you longer-term projects during your time to keep you busy if you ever have a lull. Again, a lot of the onus is on you to manage your work flow.

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • Inevitably, particularly as a non-lawyer myself, the tasks are relatively limited in terms of responsibility -- but equally, it is not all proof-reading and bundling. You get exposure to some of the high level work, but you aren't expected to do it yourself.

    3/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • 3 weeks is too short a time to really develop your skills as a lawyer. However, that is not really the point of a vac scheme -- it is chance for the firm to decide if you would be a fit for them, and for you to decide if the firm is a fit for you. You demonstrate your potential to learn the skills, and hope to be offered a training contact to actually have the chance to do that.

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Clearly only the right sort of people are chosen as supervisors, so they are always friendly and supportive. There's a great chance to socialise and network and the work is really boring -- but it is a job not a holiday camp, so you are expected to work hard when you are at your desk.

    4/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Clearly an awful lot of time, money and effort went into planning it, and it was far more impressive than some of the other schemes I've been on with different firms. The work itself is always just dependent on what is on at the time, but everything else is carefully managed and all the events and talks went smoothly.

    5/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • One could not ask for much more from a vac scheme in terms of personal attention. There are only 12 or 13 people on the scheme at a time, and so they can really focus on you and are willing to be flexible to your needs.

    5/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Subsidised Canteen

    Company Parties/Events
    4/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • I definitely will accept a training contract if possible. Bakers provides an unrivalled combination of high quality of work coupled with a reasonable work/life balance and friendly working atmosphere.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • One of the best parts of the vac scheme was the other people; we regularly went out for drinks independently, and had a lot of fun at the official events.

    5/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • London is expensive (I paid £6 for a bottle of Tiger in one bar) especially relative to where I live normally, but it's only for three weeks and it's a lot of fun.

    2/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • I'm not really the going out type, but there were some nice bars.

    3/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • You have your weekends, and the firm is great at ensuring that you get out at 5.30 -- they don't really let you stay.

    4/5
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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

July 2012

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