Student work experience : Summer vacation scheme

We like to invite six aspiring solicitors into our office each summer, for three weeks, for a structured vacation scheme.

This benefits us (we need to have our house in order, if we have guests present) and benefits the students who hopefully gain an insight into the workings of a busy London law firm with an extremely interesting and varied client base.

When does the Scheme take place?

The Scheme usually lasts for three weeks during July, after the end of the University year. In 2008 the dates are Monday 7 July through to Friday 25 July.

Who should apply?

The Scheme is open to law and non-law undergraduates who have completed at least their first year of study. Graduates are also welcome to apply.

How does the Scheme work?

You will be placed in two different departments of the firm.

However, the first few days of the Scheme consists very largely of in-depth induction into the workings of the firm at all levels, and you will not have much time to devote to departmental legal work until the end of the first week. You will then remain in your first department until the end of the second week, joining your second department in the third week. Overall, you should experience a diverse range of activities, such as research, attending client meetings, helping with the drafting of documents, proof-reading documents, attending legal seminars and visiting clients or courts or other institutions with which the firm is connected.

On the social side, you should get a taste of the social life of the firm, including lunch with partners and staff, attendance at other social functions that happen to be taking place during your period with the firm, drinks or lunch with trainees, and other casual social arrangements with members of your department.

During your period in each department you will be allocated a current trainee or member of staff who will be assigned to look after you and ensure that you are kept busy.

What about other departments of the firm?

During your stay with the firm, you will receive a presentation from each Head of Department about the workings of their own department. Therefore, even if you have not sat in all of the departments of the firm, you will receive some interesting information about the way in which we look after our clients.

Will you be put under any other sort of pressure?

The answer generally is no, although you will be observed and you will be given a library research test, which will be marked for accuracy. We do not, however, at this stage plan to introduce psychometric testing, presentation coaching or group debating.

Will you be paid?

Yes. We pay each successful applicant £150 per week, which is intended to cover expenses and living costs.

How do you apply?

If you wish to apply for our Summer Vacation Scheme, please complete the online application.

Does the firm conduct interviews for Summer Vacation places?

We do not expect applicants to come to the office for a formal interview, but an informal interview is conducted, on the telephone, with one of our senior trainees, who assists the Training Partner with the management of the Summer Vacation Scheme. We regard this as good management training for the trainee, whose antennae will often be as good, if not better, than those of the Training Partner for an applicant who has team spirit, good communication skills and a keen intellect.

Will successful students be offered training contracts?

In several cases, students who have attended our vacation scheme have gone on to become trainees with the firm. However, the offer is not automatic and the applicant would need to go through our trainee recruitment programme.

Click here for details of our training contract and to find out more read our trainee diary.

Selection process for Summer Vacation places

We try to review applications as they arrive, and in any event before the end of February in each calendar year.

There is usually a heavy demand for places on our vacation scheme, and you should not necessarily expect to be successful if you do not apply in the first two months of the year. You can start applying after 1st December 2008 for summer placement 2009 the closing date for applications is the end of  March 2009.

What do you do now?

If an internship in the firm interests you, apply now using our online application system.