Vacation Scheme Review

Both the graduate recruitment team and the department I worked with over the course of the placement were incredibly welcoming, with the recruitment team organising frequent formally scheduled ice breaker/social events introducing us to a variety of people from across the firm - partners, associates and trainees - who we would not normally come across during our work with our department. The department meanwhile, was quick to invite me to lunch or to informal drinks after work.

Instructions for all tasks clear, encouraged to ask questions and to bring forward issues. Communication also generally encouraged.

Was made aware of various practical skills and knowledge which I would not have picked up elsewhere, certainly not in my degree. Placement generally put the knowledge I already had into context while supplementing it significantly. Also signposted me to various sources of information which I can use in the future.

Timetabled from the very beginning. Once IT was set up we received calendar updates and reminders for all scheduled events. Generally struck a nice balance between scheduled events and working at your specific department. Structure allowed for more unscheduled time in the final week and lots of icebreakers in the first week, logically catering to the need to smoothly introduce us to the firm.

Friendly, open, communicative, with plenty of opportunities for fun after and around work. Not at all intimidating.

Invested in useful introductory training and plenty of well put together events in varied locations and with well chosen relevant speakers. Along with this we had the benefit of significant attention from members of the firm, from partners to trainees, who were willing to put aside time to answer questions and give advice and insight.

The fact that the scheme involved working in the same department for the entire three weeks meant I achieved a true sense of what working here full time will involve. We were largely given discretion in terms of when to arrive and leave, much like employed solicitors do on the firm. We weren't overly supervised, and there was a nice balance of scheduled and unsheduled time, allowing us to sample what sort of lawyer we would be if working at the firm full time and what our personal approach to dealing with the workload entailed.

The Nabarro culture was at the forefront of social events and the focus of a team work task which ran through the three week period. It involved roleplaying as a team of solicitors from the firm advertising their services for legal representation to a corporate or property firm looking to complete a variety of projects. It encompassed plenty of research on Nabarro and the firm's culture and thus resulted in a much better final picture by the end of the scheme.

The scheme proved my suspicions that the career path of a solicitor was one that appealed to me, particularly the work and the team aspects involved (in contrast to a barrister). Allayed my fears regarding certain negative solicitor stereotyoes by offering a friendly and approachable atmosphere throughout.

Reimbursed expenses would have been convenient, but I can understand why this has not been made available. Many firms are having to cut down their entire vacation schemes to save costs so it is acceptable for Nabarro to focus spending on the actual content of the programme rather on the reimbursement aspect.

Networking was incredibly varied, including vacation schemers, trainees, associates and, very frequently, partners.

Varied and creative, ranging from formal well catered dinners to bowling and a pub quiz.