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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

Spring Vacation Scheme Participant Review

at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Commercial Law

London

Review Submitted: April 2025

Overall Rating

4.9 /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
4/5 - Recommendations and Advice

Overview of Experience

Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
Sat in two very different teams completing real work for a supervisor (usually someone senior in the team). In International Arbitration, work was quite technical for a non-law student, but support available where necessary. In corporate, work is more commercially-focused. Trainee buddy always there to help. Also completed a group presentation task (not assessed) to develop collaborative communication and organisation skills. Various scheme events/networking on most days.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
Very interesting to hear more about the details of how a training programme with the firm might work for you. Also nice to hear from current trainees on how they have found their experiences.
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?
Yes! Collaborative communication and organisation have been central to my development. It is a particular challenge to understand how to communicate personal, individual deadlines to those in your team. You also have to become more self-aware and confident in your abilities, needing to provide others in your team with assessments of your own working capacity. You also get good at networking, having spoken to so many people at the firm.
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?
Absolutely lovely - everyone very inclusive, approachable and friendly. Of course people are busy but they still make time for you - it is important to learn when and how to approach people at these times.
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 loved it. The work was challenging but very fulfilling. The people were lovely. The networking opportunities were unique and very exciting. The atmosphere was great.
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 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
4/5
Would you recommend Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Be very clear and concise in your written application. Try to think about what might make you seem different/more personable than the many other applicants they consider. At interview, be friendly, confident (but not overconfident) and take your time on difficult critical analysis questions.
In This Review
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