Vacation Placement Student Review
at Pinsent Masons LLP
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: July 2025
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.
On a day-to-day basis, I would undertake a number of tasks for the legal team I was sat in. This could have included drafting documents, proofreading documents or undertaking legal research. I also had the opportunity to attend court on three of the days I was on my vacation scheme. Additionally, some days included attending social events or insight events organised by the Graduate Recruitment team or departments within the firm.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
My team and supervisor were very helpful in explaining the business and how the particular department I sat in, contributed to the business. I had many opportunities to ask questions about their career paths, especially at this firm. The Graduate Recruitment team also set up a session which discussed potential roles available within the firm (that were not training contracts), such as paralegal roles. They also were clear and transparent about training contracts in the firm and what skills were necessary in order to be offered one.
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?
I was able to develop a number of existing skills. The main skill I was able to develop was my commercial awareness and understanding of how the firm operates as a business. Undertaking hands-on work for such a large firm meant I gained an in-depth understanding of how the firm generates revenue and puts their clients first. Additionally, the Graduate Recruitment team ran invaluable sessions on a first day and throughout the scheme which helped to develop our commercial awareness. These sessions looked at, for example, how the firm implement AI or their sustainability plans. Other skills I developed were attention to detail, legal research, drafting and analytical skills. These skills were developed through the tasks I had the opportunity to complete. Lastly, the firm allowed me to further build my interpersonal skills and my confidence.
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 was fantastic, and I felt welcomed into the firm, even though I was only working there for two weeks. Everyone was friendly and willing to have conversations about their experiences. The firm as a whole evidently puts a lot of time and effort into making the vacation scheme enjoyable, beneficial and valuable for those undertaking it. I felt as if I could always ask questions when I needed to, and that I could ask for opportunities that I was interested in. The vacation scheme reaffirmed to me that this was a firm I could see myself training with.
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 enjoyed the vacation scheme greatly. I felt as if I gained and developed a number of very important skills, and had a very varied experience during those two weeks. Despite the short amount of time I was at the firm, I was able to achieve everything that I wanted to and make the most out of the opportunity.
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 Pinsent Masons LLP
5/5
Would you recommend Pinsent Masons LLP to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Pinsent Masons LLP
1) Do your research on the firm - attend insight events, connect with people on LinkedIn and ask questions if necessary, look at the firm beyond just their legal services (look at their culture, their wider services etc).
2) Every work/volunteering/insight experience you have is useful as you will have built skills from all of these. For example, a retail role is just as valuable to include, due to the interpersonal skills you will have gained from this.
3) Find something about commercial law that interests you. Commercial law is so varied that you can find something that you are passionate about, whether this is from a module you did at university or a personal interest in a social/political/economic matter. This passion then translates very well in the application process and during the interviews.
2) Every work/volunteering/insight experience you have is useful as you will have built skills from all of these. For example, a retail role is just as valuable to include, due to the interpersonal skills you will have gained from this.
3) Find something about commercial law that interests you. Commercial law is so varied that you can find something that you are passionate about, whether this is from a module you did at university or a personal interest in a social/political/economic matter. This passion then translates very well in the application process and during the interviews.
