Vacation Scheme Participant Review
at Macfarlanes
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law, Commercial Law, Corporate 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.
We received presentations from practice groups across the firm which really helped us understand the day to day roles of lawyers at the firm.
I also sat in two different departments and completed real trainee tasks for my trainee supervisor.
In week two we had a series of assessments for the training contract.
Throughout the scheme we had social events where we could get to know one another and lawyers at the firm.
I also sat in two different departments and completed real trainee tasks for my trainee supervisor.
In week two we had a series of assessments for the training contract.
Throughout the scheme we had social events where we could get to know one another and lawyers at the firm.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
It was really good. We were given talks by senior lawyers in the firm who told us all about the firm's key differentiators, and what makes Macfarlanes different to other law firms.
We were also encouraged to join lawyers from other departments for coffee chats in the cafe so that we could get a deeper understanding of roles in departments we weren't sitting in.
The presentations I mentioned earlier were also super useful in explaining how the type of work and the clients differ between each department.
We were also encouraged to join lawyers from other departments for coffee chats in the cafe so that we could get a deeper understanding of roles in departments we weren't sitting in.
The presentations I mentioned earlier were also super useful in explaining how the type of work and the clients differ between each department.
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 got better at time management, attention to detail and the skills required to network within the legal world.
The trainee tasks helped me understand the work a lawyer does on a day to day basis, and I honed many of the skills a junior lawyer has to use to deliver tasks for their supervisors.
I also learnt how to quickly and effectively take down instructions for my tasks so that I could complete them without needing to check back with my supervisor.
The trainee tasks helped me understand the work a lawyer does on a day to day basis, and I honed many of the skills a junior lawyer has to use to deliver tasks for their supervisors.
I also learnt how to quickly and effectively take down instructions for my tasks so that I could complete them without needing to check back with my supervisor.
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 exceptional. Senior lawyers always made time to talk to use, even during their lunch breaks on super busy days.
I was invited to social and networking events both by early careers and by the team I sat with, and my trainee supervisors were super friendly and good at integrating me into their days and their social circles. This really gave me a firsthand look at the atmosphere and culture at the firm.
I was invited to social and networking events both by early careers and by the team I sat with, and my trainee supervisors were super friendly and good at integrating me into their days and their social circles. This really gave me a firsthand look at the atmosphere and culture at the firm.
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 really enjoyed the insight.
It was really good at showing me that the firm was right for me. It balanced showing us the culture, the work, and the real sense of community that are present at Macfarlanes.
Early careers were super friendly and organised, and ensured that we had a jam packed week. My departments also ensured I always had tasks to do by finding things from across the department for me to work on.
It was really good at showing me that the firm was right for me. It balanced showing us the culture, the work, and the real sense of community that are present at Macfarlanes.
Early careers were super friendly and organised, and ensured that we had a jam packed week. My departments also ensured I always had tasks to do by finding things from across the department for me to work on.
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 Macfarlanes
5/5
Would you recommend Macfarlanes to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Macfarlanes
Ensure you have thoroughly researched the firm, and are familiar with how Macfarlanes differentiates itself from other firms.
Make sure if you make it to the vacation scheme, you are listening to the advice early careers gives, and are making notes every night of what happened in the preceding day so you can tailor your interview answers specifically to the firm. General answers will not bring success.
I think showing passion really helps.
Make sure if you make it to the vacation scheme, you are listening to the advice early careers gives, and are making notes every night of what happened in the preceding day so you can tailor your interview answers specifically to the firm. General answers will not bring success.
I think showing passion really helps.
