LIFT Intern Review

My time as a LIFT Intern at Clyde & Co offered a thoughtful and well-structured introduction to the firm’s work, culture and expectations. Each day opened a new window into the rhythm of life at an international law firm, combining practical casework, professional development sessions and opportunities to learn from practitioners across the business.
The legal work was both engaging and rigorous. I contributed to a defence strategy in a clinical negligence dispute valued at £250,000, analysing liability through the Bolam test and quantifying damages using the Judicial College Guidelines. This required a level of precision and analytical discipline that sharpened my understanding of how technical legal frameworks are applied in practice. I also drafted precedent notes on limitation defences and contributory negligence, which strengthened my ability to interpret civil procedure rules and contribute to the efficiency of future case preparation.
Alongside this, I gained exposure to several practice areas, including Aviation, Corporate and Catastrophic Injury. Each insight offered a distinct perspective on the firm’s sector-driven approach. Aviation revealed the complexity of cross-border risk and regulation, Corporate highlighted the importance of commercial awareness and transactional clarity, and Catastrophic Injury emerged as an unexpected area of personal interest.
The programme also included a collaborative medical negligence case study that required research, structured analysis and clear communication. Presenting our findings at the end of the week strengthened my confidence in approaching unfamiliar legal scenarios and reinforced the value of teamwork. Our final presentation was assessed, and commended for the clarity of our legal reasoning, persuasive communication and cohesion as a group.
Throughout the placement, we engaged with the commercial and business services teams and participated in an interview skills workshop that supported our professional growth. These sessions added variety and depth to the day-to-day experience, ensuring that the insight balanced legal work with broader professional development. Each day felt purposeful, well-paced and grounded in the firm’s commitment to high-quality training.

Understanding the breadth of Clyde & Co’s work was one of the most rewarding aspects of the internship. The programme offered a clear and carefully curated introduction to the firm’s practice groups, international reach and strategic priorities. Through partner panels, trainee Q&A sessions and practice-area briefings in Aviation, Corporate and Catastrophic Injury, I developed a far richer sense of how the business operates and the unique role each team plays in delivering the firm’s global offering.
The insight widened my perspective on the types of careers available within and beyond the traditional lawyer pathway. Engaging with both fee earners and business services professionals demonstrated how deeply interconnected the firm’s functions are, and how essential it is to appreciate the commercial ecosystem that surrounds legal work. Meeting trainees from both law and non-law backgrounds emphasised that Clyde & Co values diverse skill sets and recognises the importance of transferable strengths, adaptability and curiosity.
What stood out most was the clarity with which the firm articulated its expectations of future trainees. The opportunities to ask questions, observe the nuances of different roles and understand how teams collaborate across offices made the insight particularly enriching. It helped me appreciate how varied, dynamic and intellectually stimulating a career at Clyde & Co can be, whether in a specialist practice area or within the business services landscape.
The experience left me with a clearer sense of direction and a deeper appreciation of the range of opportunities that exist within a global firm. It was encouraging to see how my interests, especially in areas involving advocacy, accessibility and client-focused support, could evolve into a meaningful role in the future.

I strengthened a range of skills during the internship. My analytical and drafting abilities developed through assessing liability under the Bolam test, interpreting the Judicial College Guidelines and preparing precedent notes on limitation and contributory negligence. The medical negligence case study enhanced my research, teamwork and presentation skills, while exposure to Aviation, Corporate and Catastrophic Injury broadened my commercial awareness. The interview skills workshop also helped me articulate my strengths with greater clarity and confidence.

The culture at Clyde & Co felt warm, inclusive and thoughtfully supportive. Throughout the internship, colleagues at every level took time to explain their work, answer questions and offer insight, which created an atmosphere that was both welcoming and intellectually engaging. The firm balanced professionalism with approachability, and there was a clear sense of collaboration across teams and practice areas.
The final day captured this culture particularly well. We began with a group breakfast where we were able to speak with trainees, associates, business services staff and senior lawyers. The conversations were open, encouraging and genuinely insightful, and the opportunity to engage across levels reinforced the firm’s commitment to accessibility, mentorship and a cohesive working environment.

I enjoyed the insight immensely. What stood out most was the mix of people I met, from interns with non-law backgrounds to trainees who had taken very different routes into the profession. It made the week feel dynamic and grounded in real lived experience. The sessions were varied, the conversations were generous, and the atmosphere made it easy to feel involved and curious. It was the kind of environment that leaves you both inspired and eager to keep learning.

Yes

I would encourage future applicants to approach the process with curiosity and a willingness to engage fully. Clyde & Co values thoughtful preparation, so taking time to understand the firm’s sectors and recent work will make a real difference. It also helps to draw on your experiences with clarity, particularly when explaining how you solve problems or work with others. Speaking to people across the firm is invaluable, as those conversations often reveal the culture in a way no website can.
I also learned that when you participate wholeheartedly, unexpected opportunities can follow. My engagement with the programme led to an award at the end of the week and a dual invitation to the House of Commons, which showed me how far genuine interest and openness can carry you. You never quite know where your curiosity will take you.