Vacation scheme student (Spring) Review

I very much enjoyed my time with Clifford Chance on the spring vacation scheme. I felt welcomed and valued throughout the scheme, and I also learned a lot about what commercial solicitors actually do, and the challenges that they face.

I did feel valued while I was with the firm. Some of the work I was set was really intellectually stimulating, which I thought showed that they weren't just giving me work to pass the time, and that they really did care about the work I did there. Many lawyers around the office also took the time to come and give talks to the vacation schemers and to give explanations to whatever questions we had.

I was assigned a supervisor and a trainee buddy, both of whom were great at giving me support. For example, my trainee buddy would catch up with me almost every day to see how I was doing, and dropped by my desk from time to time; she also invited me to go along to training talks with her so I could develop a better understanding of some of the finer aspects of our practice area. My supervisor set me some interesting work and was very attentive when I gave her feedback on the research task she had set me. The graduate recruitment team were also always very approachable and friendly.

As I am pursuing a career in commercial law, I felt that the skills I developed during the course of the scheme will definitely be of assistance in the future - for example, I did some work on a project in a group with some of my colleagues, which really helped develop my ability to work in a team. I have also learned a lot about certain specific areas of commercial law, such as capital markets, which I am sure will also be very useful.

I thought that this insight was very well-structured. I was immediately impressed on the first day, which started off with breakfast and an in-depth introduction to commercial law. The induction on the first day gave us the key background information we would need to do our work during the scheme, so we weren't left to figure everything out for ourselves. There were also talks from all the practice areas and on corporate responsibility, all of which were very informative. There was a good balance between time spent at the desk and time spent at talks.

The general atmosphere was friendly, but professional. As there were quite a few talks and social events, we often had the opportunity to interact with other vacation scheme students. Nobody seemed unhealthily competitive, and the firm certainly did not try to foster such an environment.

I felt that Clifford Chance did invest a lot in its vacation scheme students. In addition to organising the talks mentioned above, they also gave us some interesting projects and work to do to help us develop our skills.

I developed a good understanding of what it would be like to work full-time at the firm. I sat at a desk in my supervisor's office and so was able to see for myself how busy she was and how she dealt with matters. Being in an office environment where I could see people at their workstations for an extended period of time was illuminating. I also talked to a number of lawyers at the firm, who were happy to share their experiences.

The vacation scheme was useful in this respect. The concept of a company's culture had seemed rather vague and lofty before I joined the firm, but after spending some time with the firm, I had a better understanding of what this meant. People at the firm all seemed ambitious and driven, although they were still friendly. I received the impression that this was a firm which prided itself on being excellent at everything.

I was really taught a lot of material over the course of the two weeks, which I had not really expected. Having the opportunity to learn about the details of how a company is set up or listed on the stock exchange, or what goes into a prospectus, has been edifying. I learned that I did find this information interesting and that I did enjoy the sort of work the lawyers undertake at the firm.

I was paid £350 a week for the two-week scheme. I considered this to be an adequate amount. We also had access to the firm's facilities, including the gym and the swimming pool, although I'm not sure if anyone actually made use of the last item.

Yes, there were lunch or tea receptions before or after every practice area talk, during which we could ask trainees from that practice area questions over sandwiches. Trainees and supervisors were also invited to one of the dinner events.

The social events were good fun. I particularly enjoyed the cooking class that we attended one evening.

Yes, there was a talk from the CSR department on how Clifford Chance gives back to the community. The people in that team were clearly very committed to their cause, which I thought was a good sign. Apart from that, I have also learned that quite a lot of people make use of the gym at the firm.

Yes, I would recommend friends with an interest in commercial law to apply. This firm was very welcoming, and I really did have a great time on the scheme.