Vacation Scheme Student Review

I found the insight extremely enjoyable and very useful. Some parts were quite stressful but this is unavoidable on a vacation scheme, as your performance is being constantly assessed. However, everyone at the firm was extremely friendly and helped to put me at ease! Although the placement was relatively short, everyone I met worked hard to ensure that we were able to experience the reality of working at Herbert Smith Freehills as much as possible, so that by the time I left I had a good sense of what life would be like at the firm.

My supervisors provided me with tasks that needed to be done and would usually be performed by a trainee. It was extremely gratifying to be treated like a member of the team right from the start and to be able to contribute through the work I did.

Alongside my supervisor, the firm also assigned me a trainee buddy and a partner mentor, all of whom were extremely willing to provide guidance and answer any questions I had. In addition, the HR team were fantastic at answering questions and helping us through the process of applying for the training contract.

Although the placement was only two weeks, I felt the placement helped to develop a number of key skills, from networking to legal research. As I am studying the GDL, these skills have already come in useful and I'm sure will be of great help as a trainee.

The week was very well-planned and organised. On the first day we were given a great deal of information, including a timetable of talks and other events which were being held over the next two weeks.

The atmosphere was extremely friendly and welcoming. Those at the firm genuinely wanted all the vacation scheme students to succeed and invested a lot of time in helping us to do so. Vacation scheme students were also all very supportive of each other.

As the placement was only two weeks, there was not a great deal of time for personal training and development. However, the firm did provide a number of presentations and workshops to help develop our skills and our understanding of the firm. We also received feedback from our supervisors at the end of each week which was very useful.

Throughout the placement we were treated as future trainees rather than vacation scheme students. We were able to undertake work a trainee might do and were provided with a great deal of information about the work and life of a trainee at the firm in the various departments. Our trainee buddies and the other trainees in our departments were able to tell us about their experiences at the firm, which helped to give me a sense of what it would be like to work at the firm on a long-term basis.

Far more so than I expected! My placement really demonstrated the distinct culture of the firm; as my placement took place over Christmas it was good to see the mix of Christmas social activities alongside the hard work required day-to-day.

The placement confirmed my decision to pursue law and also confirmed what type of firm I would like to work for.

I was paid £350 a week.

Yes. I attended drinks, lunches with my department and a department Christmas party.

The events were useful, as they allowed you to meet those from other departments and learn about their work. The events themselves were relaxed and enjoyable.

Yes- we were told about yoga lessons, sports teams and the pro bono at the firm.

Definitely