Vacation Scheme Student Review

I really enjoyed the vacation scheme and the work I was able to get involved with. Day-to-day, I was involved in the drafting of documents for ongoing matters, legal research (and then developing this research into advice for a client query), and assisting fee-earners with preparing client facing information on new law changes. I worked directly with senior fee-earners which was excellent to gain experience and knowledge of the area I was in (pensions).

From the beginning of the placement, the graduate recruitment team made information about our own role as vacation scheme students and the progression into a trainee solicitor role very clear. I sincerely commend the graduate recruitment team for holding information sessions such as those prior to the placement starting, as these were very helpful. Throughout the placement, I gained a good understanding of other (non-legal) roles in the business through very interesting webinars with other professionals.

Having already done placements prior to this one, I was able to further develop key skills and competencies which are required of a trainee solicitor. I had a great opportunities during my Pinsents placement to develop these skills. These included my attention to detail (which I believe is particularly crucial), my ability to work in a team, and also my ability to generally work efficiently in an office environment.

It is easy and fashionable for law firms to talk about their “culture”, but in the many experiences I have had with firms, I have yet to experience a law firm culture as friendly and supportive as that of Pinsents. This was clear from meeting the firm at law fairs, all the way through into the assessment centre and then into the vacation scheme. The general atmosphere of the firm is extremely supportive and friendly: no one was unwilling to help me or chat with me. This sentiment is even true of former employees of the firm that I have met. I cannot recommend Pinsents’ culture enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at the firm. Every single person I met at the firm was incredibly helpful and kind, across all levels of seniority. I learned a lot about pensions as an area of law during my time in the team, so much so that I have now become interested in the area. This was completely due to the fact that I was welcomed in to the team extremely well, and I was also well supported by graduate recruitment in the background. I cannot recommend the placement enough to prospective vacation schemers, and having completed placements before I rank Pinsents at the top.

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