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Mishcon de Reya

Vacation Scheme Student Review

at Mishcon de Reya

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Legal/Law

Manchester

Review Submitted: September 2023

Overall Rating

5 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

5/5 - Overview of Experience
5/5 - Skills Development
5/5 - Company Culture
5/5 - Overall Experience
5/5 - Recommendations and Advice

Overview of Experience

Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
I was given tasks by my supervisor and multiple fee earners. A few of the daily tasks I completed were: legal research, writing memos, writing a case summary, sitting on client meetings. After each of the tasks I would receive feedback. Personally, I have sent cold emails to people in other departments who specialised in my areas of interest suggesting getting coffees to expand my knowledge of the firm.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
The firm was very open and it was easy to organise meetings with various partners and some of the Mishcon Group’s CEOs. Besides this, the insight sessions specifically led by heads of departments greatly helped explain the firm’s vision and strategy plan. During these sessions the firm’s unique offerings were explained, as well as how the firm keeps its competitive edge and important clients.
From the onset, my trainee buddy has offered great support and explained a lot of the work he completed during his two seats. It helped me understand the requirements and expectations of a trainee, whilst highlighting the role they play in the partnership.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
One of the new skills I have learnt was being able to give on-your-feet advice in the context of complicated client meetings. The group exercise we had to complete included a client-pitch and follow-up questions from the clients. Some of the questions were difficult and required previous knowledge, which pushed me to offer solutions without having had the advantage of research.
I have built on previous skills such as using legal research databases, effectively summarising long documents in a short period of time, teamwork and public speaking.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5

Company Culture

How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The company culture can be described as one that is open, diverse and embracing of change. Despite all of the people I met coming from very different backgrounds, everyone was social and willing to learn. A lot of the people I met highlighted the importance of social mobility and improving the opportunities of groups from minority backgrounds, which created a safe atmosphere.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
5/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole week. My supervisor played a very important part. All of the tasks I was given to complete were relevant to the department’s work. He took additional effort to explain the impact the department has within the partnerships, as well as the particularities of some of the most important cases the department undertook.
There was a social activity in the middle of the week organised for the vacation scheme students which helped us bond as a cohort. It was a great way of networking, as well as relaxing.
Due to its open culture, it was easy to grab a coffee with almost everyone in my department.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid

Recommendations and Advice

Please rate the future employment prospects at Mishcon de Reya
5/5
Would you recommend Mishcon de Reya to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mishcon de Reya
A tip I would give is to have a good idea of what you want to do in the future whilst being open to trying new things. An important factor in every discussion I had with each fee earner I have spoken to was to demonstrate why I wanted to qualify in the department of my choice. Being able to provide proof of the extra-curricular activities I undertook to support the career I wanted was something noted as a positive in my feedback.
Research is the golden rule and is crucial. Coming prepared with tailored questions will give you the most out of the experience.
In This Review
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