Summer Clerk Review

It's inevitable that there will be a learning curve when you first begin, but the team certainly helped me to adjust into my various roles by offering support.

Baker & McKenzie is often portrayed as a very friendly law firm to work for, and this is certainly the case. I found my experience to be very fulfilling because I knew that the people I was working with were very friendly, and I was encouraged to ask questions so that I could gain as much as possible from the activity as possible.

We often had talks from associates and partners in various departments throughout the Firm who would offer information on the way their department was structured and the typical work involved. This was very useful for those of us who were not completing seats in the respective departments. My supervisors were both incredibly useful, and were able to offer feedback on the work I had produced, even if they had not delegated it.

Most of the time I was kept very busy. There were occasions where I was left wondering what I should do next. I did speak to associates and partners as to whether there was anything I could do in relation to the work they were doing. Unfortunately however, most of the work that could have been done would have taken time to explain, and in so doing, would have been more beneficial for them to do it themselves. I was sat within the Corporate department, where activity can be either feast or famine.

I was allowed to attend conference calls, produced research memorandums on clients for partners, and assisted with the drafting of letters to clients as well. I was made to feel very valued by being given sufficient responsibility.

I believe that I have attained organisational and research skills which will be of benefit to me in my last year of studies at University and beyond, I would imagine.

There were a number of socials organised for the vacation scheme students, both within the Firm and outside of it. The Firm is regarded as one of the friendliest in the City, so it's always a pleasure to be working in the Office itself.

Everything was organised incredibly well, and the Graduate Recruitment team certainly made us feel very well accommodated throughout our 3 weeks. There was always something to look forward to, whether it be bowling, lunchtime or evening meal events, and even a cookery class.

The Firm ensured that we were well catered for by investing in careers talks, training talks and seminars.

I would love the opportunity to complete a training contract with the Firm. They have certainly lived up to my expectations after reading about them through sources such as the Lex100, the Baker & McKenzie website, and other sources. Working hours will be typical of a City law firm, but I was made to feel as though the firm respects the individual - your hard work will be rewarded.

A number of the vacation scheme students often went out for drinks on Friday, or seeing as it was Euro 2012 at the time, went to watch the football.

As you can expect in London, things are typically more expensive for exactly the same product. I stayed around High Street Kensington which offered a lot of facilities.

The nightlife was very good, as you can also expect in London. There are a host of pubs and bars within walking distance, and the Firm is not too far away from Fabric, one of the biggest night clubs in London.

I heard of employees going abroad to Budapest to take part in an intra-mural football competition with other Baker & McKenzie offices internationally, but I believe that all of the slots had already been taken.