Summer Placement Student Review

I enjoyed the placement very much. The combination of work, talks and social events was very good and made for an interesting two weeks. I also enjoyed being able to spend time with members of the firm and learn from their experiences and ask them questions. For the duration of the placement I felt very included; from being provided with a security pass to being involved in real work.

I was able to contribute to a great variety of work in both of the departments in which I sat. Those who set me work were very helpful and encouraging and all the work I did was well received and appreciated. I felt very included and was given opportunities to see firsthand the sort of work which members of the firm at all levels undertake.

Those who I worked with were always available for queries or questions if I was unsure of any work I was doing. HR were very easy to contact and I never felt that there was no one to turn to if needed.

In attending numerous informative talks at the firm I learned a great deal about the firm's practice areas and what it is like to work within the firm. The work I was set allowed me to use IT skills, analytical skills, drafting skills, all of which will be of great use in my future career.

The placement was very well structured. I was provided with a timetable right at the start for the 2 weeks ahead, which was very useful and comprehensive. The talks on the firm were well spread out throughout the fortnight, and I was provided with plenty of time to contribute to some real work and settle at my desk. Holding the assessment day half way through the second week worked very well as it allowed for an enjoyable last 2 days of work, but also gave us plenty of preparation time leading up to the day.

Everyone I worked with and spent time with was very friendly and approachable, which made for a very friendly atmosphere. It never felt oppresive or intense as people were always helpful during the more busy periods. The talks and presentations were nicely informal as well as informative and all group activites were enjoyable and useful.

I was set numerous tasks which gave me the chance to develop greater understanding of various areas of work. I was given some IT training and information on the available resouces, which came in useful over the 2 weeks and by the end of the placement I did feel that I had learned a great deal.

In spending time within the offices of two associates, I was able to see firsthand the sort of work undertaken and the responsibilities of the firm's members. I also spent a lot of time with trainees, assisting them with work and speaking with them at social events, which was an excellent way to gain insight into training at the firm. As well as this, the talks which we attended gave us extensive information on the firm's practice areas and the variety of work which I could get involved with if I joined the firm.

This was covered in some of the general talks which were put on for us and was discussed at the beginning of the placement during our introductory talks. In working within the firm I was also able to see firsthand the ways in which people of the firm interact with each other and work together.

Spending two weeks within the firm confirmed to me that I do want to be a trainee solicitor within an international firm. I learnt a great deal and felt very welcomed into the firm, which was very encouraging and made the experience all the more enjoyable. By the end of the placement I could truly visualise working within the firm.

The pay is very reasonable and further adds to the sense of my work being valued.

Yes there were social events planned, to which trainees of the firm were invited. I also attended some lunchtime training sessions, which members of all levels of the firm attended.

Very enjoyable, there was always a good turnout and the catering was always very good. People were easy to talk to and very willing to answer questions. A lot of effort was always put in to making the events enjoyable and useful.

During our introductory talks, we were given plenty of information on the firm's CSR activities, which all members of the firm can get involved in and the various sporting activities which are open to everyone.

Yes it was highly informative and enjoyable. I was given plenty of opportunity to fully get involved in work and contribute to projects. Everyone I met was very friendly and helful and offered plenty of useful advice and insights.