Vacation Placement Student Review

I really enjoyed the placement and felt it gave me a realistic insight into work at the firm.

I felt as though the team valued my support during the two weeks as I was given a range of tasks to complete that normally trainees would only be involved with.

My trainee supervisor was excellent. Whenever I needed guidance on completing a task or any general support, she was attentive and very willing to help.

I did not feel as though the workload was too light or too heavy.

I was given a fair amount of responsibility, even a little more than I originally anticipated, which was a good way to understand the sorts of responsibilities I would have if I worked in the firm permanently.

Every experience teaches you something and the placement has not failed in this respect - it has significantly developed my interpersonal and organisational skills.

People were friendly and supportive, even when deadlines were approaching and people may have felt stressed.

We had a structured timetable that was adhered to quite strictly, meaning we were well prepared for the tasks/presentations we were involved in.

In the time I was here, my trainee supervisor went through tasks thoroughly, explaining their purpose and how they fitted into the bigger picture of transactions. If I had the occasional half an hour where I had fewer tasks to complete, she gave me due diligence exercises which she had completed in the early stages of her training seat, to aid my own training. In this regard, I learnt a range of skills.

I would love to work at the firm as they specialise in the areas of law I would most like to pursue a career in, whilst the atmosphere within the firm is welcoming and supportive.

Trainees often met up for drinks after work and they arranged croquet and dinner at a comedy club for the vacation placement students as well.

Birmingham bars and restaurants are fairly well priced but the firm paid for the majority of our expenses on the evenings we went out for socials anyway.

Although I didn't experience the nightlife during my two week placement, I am familiar with the Birmingham nightlife, which is very lively and offers a range of places to suit many different tastes.

There were sports matches with other law firms, oportunities to go out for drinks with other trainees and trainees also put on a number of socials for us.