Vacation Student Review

A fantastic insight into a firm, and an invaluable opportunity for you to decide whether Hogan Lovells/commercial law is for you.

Everyone from PA to partner was more than happy to take the time to talk to you and answer your questions. Supervisors and trainees took a real interest in your time at the firm.

Student are given research and technology training on arrival, which means you will never be stuck! Each week is spent with a supervisor, who may or may not keep you busy with work and activities. Otherwise, it's up to you to make the rounds and try and bring work in, which is more successful in some departments than others. Overall it is a good test of your initiative, and you always have your trainee mentor to contact to ask for advice. Graduate recruitment are also extremely helpful.

The workshops and presentations, especially on topics such as understanding financial markets and emerging economies, provided me with key skills and knowledge to use both in my final year of uni and in whatever job I end up in. Similarly, feedback I received on written work and presentations will be helpful in going forward writing my dissertation and in any future presentations.

Very well structured, stuck to the itinerary given on the first day, and a great range of presentations and workshops to break up the day. Social events such as bowling and dragon boating were very enjoyable and just the right number were scheduled - gave you a chance to make friends, without forcing you to go out every night. Events such as the partners lunch and the Summer reception also gave you the opportunity to talk to those higher up in the firm in a slightly less formal setting.

Very enjoyable three weeks, extremely impressed by the firm's friendliness and open door policy, and all the vacation students got on well, was sad to leave!

The number of workshops and presentations, along with the contact time we were given with partners and graduate recruitment, proved the firm were investing a lot in our futures.

Unparalleled insight into what it is like to work at the firm. Each firm is extremely different, and you can't tell until you spend time there and speak to staff whether it is the right firm for you. Students were truly immersed in the firm's culture and a lot of time was spent showing the kind of jobs trainees would do.

Several presentations were devoted to firm culture and their strategy for the future, with a strong emphasis on pro bono. The best test is speaking to trainees and seeing their reaction to working at the firm. Overall there seemed to be a good work/life balance, with a huge variety of work to undertake. It seems like a firm which values its employees and works them hard whilst still respecting their lives outside the firm.

£300 a week, paid at the end of the scheme.

Many, such as the partners' lunch and Summer reception. Also very helpful to talk to future joiners who were invited to the Reception.

Genuinely enjoyable, good balance between allowing people to socialise but respecting that students may have to travel a long distance home and could not stay in London all evening. After the first week the trainees and students were well acquainted and it was nice to be able to recognise some faces around the firm.

Some mention was made of networks the firm facilitates and other activities, such as a Strictly Come Dancing spin off the firm held, but these were not the focus.

Definitely.