Vacation Schemer Review

Overall a very enjoyable week.

I think the supervisors made a real effort to give us work similar to that that a trainee may receive, in order for us to gain a real feel for the tasks taken on by the firm. That I was drafting articles and working on contracts really made me feel like the work I was doing made a difference.

Lots of guidance, everybody was really supportive and you never felt like you couldn't ask someone a question.

I was based in Commercial Projects for the week. Having never really stuided energy law I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I actually found the work very interesting and relevant to current happenings.

The scheme was very well structured and it felt like we were able to experience a range of activities. Despite having two assessments to complete and a talk by the trainees about their current departments the activities were timetabled so that we had time between them in the office we were sitting in.

The firm is a very social place to work. During my vacation placement, on the Wednesday night we had a social with the trainees that involved a pool tournament and going for drinks in town. Aside from this, most days all of the vacation schemers would go for lunch together or drinks after work if you wanted to do so.

The trainee talks really helped give us an insight into the daily life of someone training at the firm.

The planned socials and the general atmosphere within the office showed me that the firm has a very friendly and relaxed culture

Energy law is now something I would potentially consider doing a seat in during my training contract

The pay was £175 for the week

On the first day we had a lunch with the trainees in a meeting room and the graduate recruitment partner also came along too.

As already stated, the trainee social was good fun and playing the pool tournament meant that you had a lot of opportunity to interact with different people.

One of the trainees mentioned doing charity work whilst at the firm but other than this I'm not really sure.

For a first vacation scheme I definitely feel like this has helped me get an idea of what it would be like to actually work in a law firm and I couldnt have hoped for a friendlier and more supportive place to start.