Summer Vacation Placement Review

The second week was more interesting, because I had more work to do. The work was interesting, and we got quite a bit of responsibility given that we've not actually finished studying.

Again, the second week I felt more valued because I was being more useful. Everyone was always very polite, although not always friendly and there were times I felt I couldn't interrupt someone to ask questions or introduce myself etc. because they seemed very busy while I didn't have much to do.

I had very minimal support by my supervisor. In the first week she didn't actually give me any work, answering only occasional questions about work someone else had given me. The second week, my trainee buddie was much more supportive than my supervisor, who did give me work but was quite busy herself.

It was quite a mixed bag. I was not at all busy the first week, but then was very busy the second week!

Quite a bit compared to what I expected. The other lawyers would rely (as far as I can tell) on research I'd done, or Discovery of documents. Of course, many things would be checked by a more senior lawyer but I did feel quite responsible for them.

I developed skills in research, document analysis and summarization, primarily. They will obviously be useful in my studies, both in my degree where summarization of cases is necessary, and in my later training in the LPC where I will be dealing with many of these same documents. As a lawyer, I will also be relying on these skills all the time.

Quite serious during the day, although there were times of occasional levity. There was much more interaction etc. between the lawyers who knew each other, of course, so I was a little on the fringes of any hilarity.

The scheduling was well done, giving us time to work etc. around talks. However, certain events that vacation students and trainees attended without HR around did have issues that had to be dealt with.

We had many talks on different aspects of the firm. I would perhaps have liked more of an introduction to various skills that would be necessary such as research etc, but I am aware there were serious time constraints.

Quite appealing. I enjoyed the variety and intricacy of the work. Everyone seemed happy to be there, and had only good reports about the workplace.

Among fellow placement students, yes. We met for lunch most days and got to know each other quite well. But there was relatively little interaction with trainees, associates and partners. I would have preferred more of this. Even when we did meet with trainees, they tended to group together and largely ignore the vacation students.

No different to normal, because I live in London. Food was a little more expensive, but nothing extraordinary.

I don't know. After work I left promptly to return home.

Not that I know of. I know some of the boys played cricket, but it wasn't publicized or anything.