Rating

6.3/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • We are 'shadowing' trainee solilictors in different practice areas of the firm. I have been researching, proofreading, drafting emails, completing forms to insitutions such as the land registry, writing summaries for briefings. Some days I have been given example cases and then done a variety of work on these made up cases, some days I have been given small tasks to do with real cases or I have been doing research and summaries on particular topics (sometimes to answer quiz like questions).

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • I have developed my legal knowledge and the systems of a large law firm like Pinsent Masons. There's not much you can develop in a week of work experience where you get a whistlestop tour of a pratice area, but it has been an enjoyable and enriching insight.

    7/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • It has been very enjoyable, I enjoyed the presentations in the morning to help expand our knowledge of relevant areas of Law and career paths. I have enjoyed getting to know the trainees and all the other students undertaking work experience. I have enjoyed the research tasks which have opened my eyes to areas of the law which I knew nothing about. The teams are very friendly and welcoming and the trainees answer any questions you may have (whether that be to do with the tasks or just their role in general).

    7/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by Pinsent Masons?
  • Each day you get introduced to all the relevant partners and other solicitors in each of the practice areas, some days they gave me research tasks when my supervising trainee had nothing to give me and some asked me questions - which was nice. Sometimes, especially when I was assisting with current work, I felt like I had helped and an "extra pair of hands" was valued, but other times it was clear the taks had been prepared in advanced and didn't really help the supervising trainee and it's just something for you to do to keep your time busy. (but this is expected)

    6/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • Very! - The firm are very well prepared and all staff are prepared for your arrival (no one is shocked that they have work experience students in!). I recieved a timetable for my week which included presentations in the morning - it was kept to very well and it mostly went as expected (including being picked up by the relavant people each day). The timetable for which pratice area we go to every day has been well organised and structured - they are prepared and will have some work. Failing that, you recieve a quiz to do and some questions to answer on the pratice areas. - in the training on monday you are also given lots of little things that you can go and have a look at on the intranet and such.

    8/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • Quite a lot, the trainees are always there to ask questions if you are unsure. Most days you are prepared in the morning and given a short introduction into the practice area and the tasks for that day.

    6/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • Quite a lot, the trainees are always there to ask questions if you are unsure. Most days you are prepared in the morning and given a short introduction into the practice area and the tasks for that day.

    6/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • Placement is only 5 days so this isn't relevant

    5/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • You are told at the being of the week that if the trainee is involved in any social activities you are welcome to attend (even if it might be a bit weird!) but nothing like this occured during my time there. I did attend a current affairs briefing to do with recent cases and updates in the law - which was included as a conference call in the other offices - this was quite interesting to see the sort of on-the-job training that some firms and practice areas offer.

    4/10

  • 9. Would you recommend Pinsent Masons to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Well structured, friendly, informative, useful and well targeted at the age range.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Pinsent Masons?
  • There isn't an interview but be really enusithastic and just apply (what have you got to loose?!) - Show you passion for the programme and demonstrate how you would be an appropriate person.


Details

Work Experience

Legal/Law

West Midlands

October 2014


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