Legal Work Placement Review
at Irwin Mitchell
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
Manchester
Review Submitted: August 2022
Overall Rating
4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Experience
3.5/5
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Skills Development
4.3/5
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Company Culture
4/5
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Overall Experience
4/5
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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.
The first day of the legal work placement was an introduction to the firm, various talks and setting up of technology. The following four days we rotated around departments: medical negligence, corporate, real estate and tax, trusts and estates. Each day consisted of a talk, presentation of a task, then the whole day to complete the task before handing it in at around 5pm. The following day we reviewed the task of the previous day.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
This was done very well on the placement as they organised frequent talks and 'coffee catch ups' with various people in the firm of differing roles. We spoke to trainees, partners and everyone in between. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly and willing to answer any questions we had. I felt I had a good grasp of the culture of the firm and future career development within the firm by the end of the week.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
The day in corporate was very informative as I had no previous experience of this area. I improved my research skills and general knowledge of corporate transactions. The tax, trusts and estates tax was probably the hardest and I learnt how to calculate inheritance tax and draft a report on this.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
3/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
3/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
4/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
4/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Irwin Mitchell is a friendly, approachable firm. However, it was hard to judge the atmosphere from just one week when sometimes the office was very empty due to their flexible working policy. The people who I did meet were very kind and welcoming, and always willing to answer questions. For a law firm of its size, it is less hierarchical than others.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
3/5
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 legal work placement, I just wish it was longer. One week didn't really suffice to get stuck into the firm, especially since a lot of it was online or WFH. The tasks were stimulating but varied in difficulty. One task was so easy it felt like a 'fill the gaps' exercise, whereas another was so hard you could only really complete it if you had already done the LPC.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
4/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
4/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at Irwin Mitchell
4/5
Would you recommend Irwin Mitchell to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell value affability, beyond simply intelligence or legal knowledge. They are dedicated to their 'expert hand, human touch' and this was emphasised throughout the placement. They are dedicated to their values and may ask you about how these apply to you at any point during the assessment process, so you must know them by heart. You need to understand Irwin Mitchell's culture and be able to demonstrate why you align with it.
