Summer Student Review

Enjoyed it a lot - not as scary as commercial law firms can seem!

I was in the Litigation and Compliance department in the Glasgow office. Everyone was very friendly and approachable, and never left me short of anything to do.

Ready to answer questions/have review meetings whenever I asked for it, and was also approached to discuss progress. Supervisor was lovely and understood any worries or nerves I had.

In a day I would have a couple of things to do, but never so much that I was struggling. Deadlines were also reasonable.

I think, given the nature of a law firm and the legal world, you cannot be given too much responsibility during a placement. However, I did have to perform, for example, checks of licences which is a bit of responsibility.

I think it was more of a chance to use skills already developed. It does show you, though, that the things you learn from university or part time jobs are actually essential in a law firm setting.

Social events organised by trainees, office drinks, lunches with partners - very sociable place. The atmosphere in my department was also good - people were obviously busy but never so tied up that they had not time for you.

It could have been better, but that's because I did a placement just after Pinsent Masons had merged with McGrigors, and the summer students and vacation scheme programmes from both were being put together. I think, ordinarily, it's very well organised - my year was an exception and even then, it wasn't bad.

There were a lot of presentations to give you an insight into the work the firm does, which were more useful than I had expected. My supervisor was also willing to organise for me to speak to solicitors from other departments to hear a bit about their work. There isn't much scope for personal training and development in two weeks, I don't think, but you are certainly told lots about the firm itself.

Haven't found out yet if I've got a job with them, but I really hope I do. Apparently they also have excellent retention rates so if I end up a trainee, there's a strong chance I can work there after I've qualified as well.

We went to TGI Friday's and to crazy golf one week, and dinner and a cocktail making class the other week. There were also office drinks which were good fun. Overall a great social scene, which I think was good to get you chatting to other summer students and trainees in particular. From that you get a really honest idea of how it is to work for the firm.

Glasgow is fairly average in terms of price. Lots of cheap bars and clubs, but if you're feeling fancy there are lovely, quite upmarket places to go.

Glasgow is brilliant for nightlife.

There is a lot to do in Glasgow, whatever you're interested in, although over the two weeks you're fairly busy and not really in the mood when you finish work.