Pathfinder Scheme Review

I had a fantastic time and my time with Linklaters passed by so quickly.

From the top down, I felt like part of Linklaters. In the micro-shadowing session provided, I met the entire Intellectual Property team and they took a keen interest in me and my experience with the firm.

Every task was very clear and support was at the ready from the associates, partners and graduate recruitment. For example, in the negotiation task, we had a partner in corporate observing us and making sure we stayed on the right track in terms of pertinent discussion issues.

The Personal Branding workshop organised has definitely left me more aware of how I portray myself, showing me my strengths and areas to develop.

The two days were very busy, but it was a balance between hard work and fun activities. The timetable ensured we had sufficient breaks and stayed refreshed. The first day was dedicated to getting an insight into Linklaters from associates, trainees and partners. The second day was more for seeing everything for yourself in the micro-shadowing events.

Linklaters definitely has a very friendly and supportive culture, which I felt from everyone I came in contact with. For example, in my 2 hours shadowing in IP, numerous lawyers came to my principle's office just to meet me and see how my time at Linklaters was going so far. I was impressed that they would leave their important work just to meet me.

The personal branding workshop was extremely helpful and has developed me as an individual in selling myself better. By allocating a good 2 hours to this workshop, I feel Linklaters invested quite a bit in my personal training and development.

The micro-shadowing was a great way to see the lawyers of Linklaters at work. I got to read through draft contracts, concluded transactions and listen in on conference calls.

By making sure we meet a wide variety of people at Linklaters, I picked up on a re-occurring trait: friendliness.

The content was extremely helpful. From being put in a very stressful, times negotiation for a joint venture, to micro-shadowing associates, I got a good idea of what a lawyer actually does, and it fascinated me.

Linklaters took good care of me. All my travel expenses were reimbursed. Additionally, I had a hotel booked for me and a buffet breakfast paid for.

The graduate recruitment ensured that at every tea break we had plenty of people to talk to.

I had many opportunities to talk to lawyers at linklaters, and these were so successful I walked away with a number of contacts at the firm.

The recruitment team organised a pub quiz similar to on which actual employees have outside of work, so this gave me an idea of the activities available to relax and blow off some steam.

I would definitely recommend this scheme to a friend. Sometimes working at a magic circle law firm might intimidate people but this scheme would show that Linklaters is a very nice place to work.