Vacation Scheme Placement Review

The insight was thoroughly enjoyable - everyone I met seemed focused on making sure my questions were answered and that I had a good time. When sitting in departments, people made an effort to include me in a variety of different tasks and were always approachable enough to answer any questions I may have had.

Even before we arrived on the scheme an effort was made to congratulate us and maintain contact. Graduate recruitment posted us all an Easter egg and card telling us how much they were looking forward to the scheme. A question and answer session from the Senior Partner David Morley also made us valued.

Throughout the scheme the graduate recruitment team were on hand to encourage, support and answer any and every question we may have had. The support of a trainee buddy was also key in providing guidance and advice.

The skills and information gained on the scheme left me better placed to make a well informed decision about my future legal career. Skills such as drafting and research will no doubt come in handy in my studies and future career.

Most mornings there were practice area talks followed by time in our different departments and then usually a social event in the evening.

The graduate recruitment team made an effort to keep in contact before the scheme and to provide us with lots of information about the dates of social events. On arrival they already knew our names and this contributed to the feeling throughout the scheme that a lot of effort was being put in to ensure we all felt welcomed and at ease. The atmosphere between vacation students was friendly - there was no feeling of competitiveness as they had made it clear from the start that if we were good enough we would get a place. Throughout the scheme trainee buddies and those who you sat with in different departments made an effort to take us for coffee, explain what work they were doing and stress that we could ask them whatever questions we liked. Regardless of seniority, trainees and partners alike made a real effort to speak individually to us and ask for tips on how they could improve the scheme, leaving you with a feeling that they really cared about the kind of experiences we had at the firm.

The firm really invested a lot of time and effort in the vacation scheme students, and even beforehand on the A&O First Scheme.

The time spent in two different departments showed the day to day tasks trainees would be undertaking, and they took time to explain to you exactly what they did.

Employees were honest about hours but all seemed to genuinely enjoy the work. They seemed to have a good work life balance, illustrated by the big trainee and partner presence on our social events!

Time spent in different departments, practice area talks and plenty of opportunities to meet different people in the firm and ask them lots of questions meant that the 3 weeks was well spent gaining an insight into the day to day life of a commercial lawyer.

The pay of £400 a week was good and all interview expenses were reimbursed.

There were multiple networking events with people of varying seniority such as a speed networking lunch with associates and dinner at the Oxo Tower with partners.

The social events were a highlight - from dinner at the Oxo Tower to a rooftop BBQ and HintHunt. The events were varied, fun and imaginative.

Half a day was spent at Spitalfields City Farm, a pro bono site, where we got to experience hands on the kind of pro bono opportunities there are to get involved in.

Most definitely - it was an enjoyable and interesting scheme. Most notably the people were all so keen to help you out as much as possible.