First Year Insight Scheme Attendee Review

The insight involved completing multiple skills sessions and networking, and I also shadowed a trainee in the Private Client practice area. In the practice area I completed drafting, research and due diligence tasks and was able to attend meetings alongside my trainee.
We also completed lunches and dinners where we socialised with others on the scheme and employees at the firm, and got a comprehensive overview of the work and culture at Macfarlanes.

It was really interesting to understand how Macfarlanes functions not only as a law firm but a functional and lucrative businesses, and how they maintain client contact to ensure long-standing relationships that bring return investment. It was also interesting to learn about how much employees at the firm care about producing tangible results for their respective clients.

Definitely. I have learnt new practical legal skills as it was my first proper legal work experience, including practice-area specific skills like technical reading of the legislation and cross-referencing against case-specific facts of the client. Furthermore, I developed my formal writing knowledge when drafting emails and letters for clients. I also developed soft skills through negotiations and this helped with my advocacy awareness and commercial acumen.

Very friendly, warm and inclusive atmosphere with focus on dedicated training and cohesiveness within teams.

I really enjoyed the insight, it was super engaging and gave me such a better understanding of trainee tasks and the running of a law firm.

Yes