Summer vacation placement candidate Review

As I have already been working for years and am changing careers, I've had some fun jobs already in my time that pip this one to "Best job ever" status. But don't let that put you off; I had the most brilliant two weeks at Pinsent Masons. It was non stop from a work, insight and social point of view and I absolutely loved it.

There was a real team feel at Pinsent Masons and I received lots of support from trainees in my department, as well as jobs and feedback from more senior members of the team. I was invited to join team meetings, a department goodbye lunch for a member of the team that was going on maternity leave, evening socials - all sorts. It felt very inclusive.

I got huge amounts of support from the trainees in the department, who were absolutely lovely and went out of their way to help, despite being very busy themselves. My supervising partner was extremely busy - but still found time for a drink one evening and for a meeting to discuss my progress.

We received presentations from solicitors working in each practice area of the firm, and these were really interesting and will help massively when it comes to making decisions about training seats etc. The sort of experience I got in terms of time management and meeting/socialising with people was also all good for the skills pot, and for knowing what sort of work life awaits me at the end of my law studies.

We were given a timetable right at the start and a lot of support about where to go and when - there was plenty to do throughout the placement, but no so much that it was overwhelming. Spot on.

The atmosphere was brilliant! There was a strong feeling of camaraderie between the placement students, and lots of social interaction with trainees in the firm. In the department itself there was a quiet and hardworking overtone, but very relaxed and friendly with it - no sense of being afraid to ask things or have a quick chat with somebody.

As I mentioned before, there were really comprehensive presentations about the different areas of practice in the firm that were absolutely brilliant as an insight into the types of client, case and daily workload in each practice area. The assessments during the placement were good practice in terms of personal development too.

I came away from my two weeks with a vastly greater understanding of the firm, the work:life balance and the ethos. You can read as much as you like on websites and in graduate brochures, but nothing compares to actually working in the firm and seeing for yourself. The only reason I wouldn't give it that final star is that inevitably firms are trying to portray their very best sides during these placements, so there's no element of learning about the downsides to the firm unless you do some digging when you're speaking to trainees etc - but there are plenty of socials and chances to do that, so you still gain a great understanding of what it's like to train to train and work at the firm.

The culture of the firm really came across in the personalities and approach of the people that work there and that we interacted with. Nothing beats sitting in a department for a fortnight to really get an insight into the atmosphere and work culture; equally, nothing beats going out for a few drinks with the staff to get an unguarded take on what life's really like in the firm! The placement was a massively helpful experience from that point of view.

The combination of presentations from solicitors in different practice areas and sitting in one department and working with and for the solicitors in that particular area was very valuable when it comes to confirming the decision to go into commercial law, and having a feel for which areas of practice might be interesting.

We were paid by cheque at the end of the placement, and there was a form to complete if there were travel or other expenses incurred. I live near to the office so didn't bother with the expenses part, so can't say how smoothly that bit went - but judging by how everything else was run I'd expect it to have all been handled pretty efficiently.

We were given lots of chances to network with staff from trainees to partners - a couple of general stand-around-and-mingle lunches at the start, two in-house drinks evening and two external social events - comedy store and bowling. Plus there was lunch with a partner laid on one day, and I was taken out to lunch by my department (although this wasn't a formal part of the placement). Everyone in the firm is very approachable and it was easy to book meeting and coffees with people to chat if I wanted to find out more about certain aspects of the firm.

They were good - as with all networking (and social events), you have to be prepared to muck in and go and talk to people. But the atmosphere at all of the events was very laid back and informal. I've heard from friends that other international law firms have more, and more lavish, social events during their placements than Pinsent Masons, but I can't see why that would be needed. We all had plenty of opportunity to meet people and get to know each other. I think the sort of firm that woos candidates by chucking money at the socials would not be my kind of firm, but other people might prefer that sort of thing!

We were told about the pro bono and corporate social responsibility work at the firm, and also invited to join one of the after-work softball games (and told about other sports teams and events that go on in the firm).

Brilliant placement! If you're interested in Pinsent Masons, absolutely try and secure a vacation placement - I'd definitely recommend it as a way of checking out for yourself whether the firm is for you, and also a way of securing a training contract. An awful lot of the trainee fishing is done from the vacation placement pool and it's a great way to really show what you can do - if you're not involved then you're more likely to miss out.