Summer Scheme Student Review

A really, really enjoyable three weeks. I was impressed with the quality of work I was able to get involved in, I was also impressed with the quantity and felt like I got a real insight into the life of a trainee at a busy commercial law firm.

I felt that the work I did in my department was really helpful for the lawyers working with me. I was not set tasks that were pointless exercises, the work was both interesting and varied.

Although my allocated trainee buddy had to go off work to have surgery, meaning the support I could access was somewhat diminished this was mitigated by my supervisor and another trainee effectively splitting the role between them, meaning I always had someone to talk to if necessary. The HR team also provided a high level of support to the vac schemers.

The training in filesite, copytrak and many other systems will stand me in good stead wherever I end up. Whilst I have finished by degree I will be embarking on the GDL next year, and I already feel like I have massively increased my legal knowledge over the past three weeks at Nabarro.

The scheme was very well structured. There were numerous social events, skills sessions, sport opportunities and the group task 'Project Nabarro', as well as working in a department. Whilst it is certainly a busy and challenging timetable, the events are carefully coordinated and spread throughout the time spent at Nabarro.

I felt extremely welcome at Nabarro. I got along really well with my fellow vac schemers, and we had a lot of fun together over the three weeks. I was impressed with how friendly everyone was in my department even purportedly 'scary' partners. Nabarro has a genuinely open and collaborative atmosphere and I certainly believe that this helped me perform to the best of my potential over the course of the scheme.

The Nabarro scheme lasts for three weeks so we were able to have a lengthy induction to ensure that we were fullly trained in the systems that Nabarro uses. If anything we were slightly overtrained, as we were not able to access all of the systems. We were invited to departmental training sessions, and when I was set work it was always explained to me clearly. I was happy with the feedback I recieved and certainly feel like Nabarro invests heavily in its Vac Scheme students.

My department was extremely busy during my time on the scheme and was working at or near full capacity. This allowed me to see what being a property solicitor could be like at certain times. The social activities also gave a flavour of the demands of a solicitor in terms of socialising with clients.

I feel like I recieved a real insight into Nabarro's culture. The culture is very open and friendly, but at the same time the expectation is that you will work hard and certainly among the younger employees get involved in the extra-curricular activities on offer.

The scheme confirmed to me that I would like to be a commercial lawyer.

We were paid £250 a week which was more than enough to cover my travel expenses.

We had several evening drinks sessions. I also had the opportunity to go to the corporate games in the time I was at Nabarro which helped me meet employees in a more relaxed atmospere.

Nabarro organised a networking workshop and drinks with the interns at Knight Frank. This was exceptionally useful as it allowed us a flavour of how to operate in a real networking environment.

I attended the corporate games and played rugby in my time at Nabarro. We had a presentation on Nabarro's charity and pro bono work and some fellow summer schemers got involved in this outside of work.

I would whole heartedly recommend this scheme to a friend. It was very informative but enjoyable at the same time. I recieved a real insight into Nabarro's culture and am actually sorry that my three weeks here is coming to an end. I made new friends on the scheme and hope to keep in contact with them into the future.