Legal Support Co-Ordinator Review

I am a legal support co-ordinator in the Projects Department, namely Construction & Engineering. However I work across all three teams. My work varies from day to day but in general I carry out admin and research tasks and have the responsibility of sending out fortnightly news updates. No two days are the same and I get to work with a variety of people across the whole department.

I have not only learnt new skills but also developed existing ones. I have improved my attention to detail through tasks such as proof reading. Additionally I have improved upon my interpersonal skills, as it was originally very daunting to enter this environment having come straight from school. I have learnt how to use the key legal research websites and improved my time management through balancing and managing my own deadlines.

I have really enjoyed the programme. It has been an invaluable experience not only because of the skills which I have learnt but it has been great to experience working in a law firm before I go off to university.

On the whole I feel valued by Pinsent Masons and it makes the difference when you receive positive feedback on work which you have completed.

The programme is well structured however once the programme is implemented into the departments it loses some of this structure. The structure itself is good and could have been better kept if each member of staff was made aware of the capabilities and job role of the Gap Year Student.

At the beginning we had a week of inductions alongside the trainee solicitors and then had a 2 day departmental induction. We have also had further training since both departmental and with the trainees. Additionally I have a supervisor who I can ask for support from and other members of the department are always willing to answer any questions.

Graduate Recruitment were very supportive and our gap year review day at the end of the placement was a great help, particularly the CV workshop. Most of our contact was with Graduate Recruitment and not HR. However whenever I had a question with HR they were quick and helpful in their responses.

Obviously travel in London is expensive however our wages were more than the regional gap year students in order to take account for the higher cost of living in London. The salary was very good for someone with our qualifications and it meant that we had enough money for multiple university visits to friends, to enjoy a good social life and to be able to go travelling at the end of the 8 month placement.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in the wider firm. The firm has various sports team and social activities. I volunteered as a mentor at a local school, which I found was a very rewarding experience. I also attended a law fair and a schools career fair where the other London Gap Year Students and I delivered a workshop.

Yes

Pinsent Masons are a great employer and they are a very friendly and inclusive firm. The gap year programme is a great experience and I would definitely recommend it.

Make sure you prepare well for your interview. Gain commercial awareness by reading newspapers such as the financial times and get as much work experience as you can. Analyse all the things you have done as any leadership role or job will have provided you with relevant skills.