Summer Student Review

I really enjoyed it. The scheme was very well structured and organised and we were given a great deal of insight not only into the firm's legal practice areas but also their broader strategy and positioning in a rapidly changing market for legal services.

I cannot think of one time where I did not feel valued at the firm. A highlight included discussing research I had done whilst in real estate with a two trainees and a partner - they were all more than happy to talk about the research in depth and made it seemed like the work I had done was of genuine value and would be useful in the future.

The open plan office environment is great for making sure everyone gets the support and guidance they need. Everyone seemed to have a real awareness of the issues a person new to their department would face and often were able to pre-empt questions. Even the most mundane queries about photocopying and printing were cheerfully answered!

Appropriately busy. Had enough to do that there was never an empty moment, but not too much so there was still time to chat to people and get an understanding of the firm.

In the departments I was given enough responsibility to manage my time and to a lesser extent the way in which I did some of the work. A good example was when I was given a point of trusts law to research and a (loose) deadline. I decided to go find the library, look through books, photocopy relevant sources and present what was found in the way I thought might be most appropriate. In our business project we were given total responsibility for working to deliver a finished presentation.

The entire placement, but in particular the business project, really highlighted to me some of my key skills and weaknesses and I imagine this understanding will be helpful both in terms of personal development (!) but also interviews. Also the firm's culture is infectiously positive and after being there for only two weeks I feel like becoming a nicer and more optimistic person (did not expect this to happen at a law firm...)

Everyone was very approachable and there is a strong sense that everyone at the firm is working towards shared goals. It seems to be a very collaborative and cooperative office environment.

Set a very high standard for organisation. I was impressed by how everyone involved with the scheme at every level came together to make it.

A lot of people really passionate about the firm invested a significant amount of their time during the two weeks to talk to us about legal practice and the role of solicitors in a changing environment which I felt really developed my understanding of the market. There wasn't any feedback regarding our performance on the scheme because it isn't assessed at all, but at the end of the scheme there is an assessment day and I understand we will receive detailed feedback relating to this in a few months time.

Well very appealing in the sense that I would really like to work here. People who have been selected for the vacation scheme obviously have a good selection of the competencies the firm looks for but there is a lot of competition at the final stage.Even if this vacation scheme does not lead to future employment with RPC, the scheme has put me in good stead to make very strong applications to other firms.

Everyone was SO NICE and we all got on really well. Was actually sad to say goodbye to everyone at the end!

As to be expected.

It's London! Many opportunities for interesting nights.

People were invited to the sports teams if they wanted, and we were given the opportunity to write short debate style articles for a business blog (actually quite interesting topics and fun to write). There were some great after work activities including a cocktail making class!