Vacation Scheme Review
at Simmons & Simmons LLP
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: November 2021
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
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Overview of Experience
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
5/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
- Placed in a practice department (including Employment, IP, Projects, Finance, Litigation) and assigned a Trainee and Associate to oversee and assign tasks for the week
- Completed Trainee style tasks such as case, commercial and research for a pro bono client.
- Attended a knowledge and case update presentation from the firm to a global client.
- Social evenings included wreath making, pizza making, the department christmas social (on the virtual winter vac scheme)
- Presentations from departments of the firm including diversity & inclusion, trainee learning development, Wavelength
- Pre arranged one-to-one conversation with a Partner from a different department as an opportunity to network and gain different perspective of the firm
- There were plenty of opportunities to reach out to other individuals at the firm via grad recruitment who would refer you to someone (everyone I reached out to at the firm was keen to offer their time)
- Completed Trainee style tasks such as case, commercial and research for a pro bono client.
- Attended a knowledge and case update presentation from the firm to a global client.
- Social evenings included wreath making, pizza making, the department christmas social (on the virtual winter vac scheme)
- Presentations from departments of the firm including diversity & inclusion, trainee learning development, Wavelength
- Pre arranged one-to-one conversation with a Partner from a different department as an opportunity to network and gain different perspective of the firm
- There were plenty of opportunities to reach out to other individuals at the firm via grad recruitment who would refer you to someone (everyone I reached out to at the firm was keen to offer their time)
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
Graduate development provided an in-depth presentation of the journey that Trainees will take if they are successful in obtaining a training contract. This detailed the Compass training programme (which sits alongside the LPC to provide training on how the firm is structured, its business development and strategy, industry focus etc.). The Compass programme stood out to me as a very unique offering; many of the current trainees praised it as a great opportunity to bond with their future trainee cohort and shared fond memories of the LPC. On the vacation scheme I also discovered the performance matrix against which Trainees are assessed and emphasis the firm places on the personal development of each Trainee. Presentations from Wavelength provided insight into the legal tech products and opportunities at the firm.
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?
Commercial awareness, knowledge of the networks within the firm and their plans for the future, how the firm uses its 'industry focus' strategy, legal tech products, the culture and feel of 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?
Incredibly welcoming and clearly fostered personal development and growth, feedback is open and I felt encouraged to be challenge myself in each task. Everyone I spoke to was approachable and keen to offer their insights and time.
There was a clear focus on diversity and inclusion and each network was passionate about producing tangible outputs and change.
There was a clear focus on diversity and inclusion and each network was passionate about producing tangible outputs and change.
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?
An incredibly enjoyable experience, provided exposure to real work and a true insight into the firm. It confirmed my desire to work for the firm and apply for the training contract position.
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 Simmons & Simmons LLP
5/5
Would you recommend Simmons & Simmons LLP to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Simmons & Simmons LLP
Invest time into researching the firm beyond the information published on their website. Understand the firm's sector focus and the importance of how this influences their work with clients. Practice video interviews by recording yourself and focus on how your interests and values fit with the firm.
