First Year Workshop Review

We used the online HopIn platform to attend a series of talks and seminars by different associates and Partners within the firm. For the more interactive sessions, such as networking with trainees and the 'careers fair', we broke out into smaller groups so that we could have one-to-one conversations with those working at Herbet Smith Freehills. We were able to choose who we spoke to, how long for, and had the option to turn on our microphones and cameras in order to replicate what an in-person networking event may look like.

Though there are a number of different roles and areas available to specialise in - which may initially appear overwhelming or daunting to many students - the associates provided a simplified and well-explained overview of each area, as well as answering any questions we had about working in that particular area. I was fortunate enough that I have learned about some of the topics in my degree already - such as judicial review, which was covered in the summary of the Miller case - but I am sure that even if I hadn't, it was explained with such clarity that I would still have been able to follow the discussion.

I have certainly learned a variety of skills by attending the firm's First Year Workshop. For example, the networking sessions provided an excellent opportunity to 'dip our feet' into the legal sector - an experience that may be a first for many of us as first year students - and meet both potential future colleagues as well as like-minded students who we can then stay in contact with in the future. In terms of the latter, the ADR Workshop enabled me to talk and work with people who I have since connected with on LinkedIn and hope to stay in touch with. As well as this, the hands-on sessions such as the ADR Workshop introduced me to the topic of mediation and how negotiation works in practice, which is something I had never had the opportunity to do before. Utilising these new skills has reinstated my desire to work in disputes in the future.

The company culture and general atmosphere of the firm appears to be excellent, from what both current trainees and associates (and above) were asked. Though there was a limited insight into aspects such as company events and initiatives during the workshop itself, I had done sufficient research into the firm beforehand that the lack of this was not an issue; the workshop went into further detail about niche or specific topics that cannot be (as easily) researched rather than reiterating what the website says, which was very much appreciated. Having said this, however, there was a talk on the pro-bono work of the firm which I found extremely insightful.

I really enjoyed the insight with Herbert Smith Freehills. Having attended a few other open days with other firms, the First Year Workshop stood out to me the most due to the interactivity of many of the sessions in addition to, as mentioned, the fact that topics were covered that cannot easily be found on the firm's website, which I did notice whilst attending other events. It made the experience that much more worthwhile and engaging, as everything was new and exciting to discover!

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