Work Experience Student Review

Each morning I would attend a seminar of sorts on a particular element of contemporary legal practition. Then I would complete tasks with an allocated supervisor which ranged from research to completing simulated legal tasks.

I was given cursory exposure to a wide range of practice areas, however I feel like I was given very little dedicated one-to-one time with my supervisor - this meant technical skills were largely undeveloped, and my grasp of the law was only slightly improved. The seminars provided vital insight into both the firm and being a solicitor overall, but often only took up a small amount of time relative to that spent with my supervisor.

I found working with my work experience cohort incredibly entertaining, especially when we were given the liberty to work independently as a group during the mock trial and business presentation. However when left to my supervisors, I sometimes felt disconnected and almost like a burden to them. During my tenure in Banking I was geographically seperated for my supervisor, and given technical tasks, with which I felt selfish to ask for assistance with when everyone seemed so busy, and to do so would have been a concerted effort. I found working on compiling documents in Corporate far more engaging, as I was given a task that was genuinely of value to my temporary colleagues. When in Property Dispute Litigation, I was able to complete a wide range of research tasks that both helped me and my supervisor - though, once again, geographical isolation seemed to thwart a more extensive learning experience.

When working as a cohort, I felt extremely valued. Free meals and snacks in our designated room made me feel welcome and privelaged to be there. The tasks I was given indepdently of my cohort felt respectable and thus made me feel respected, apart from when asked to do some supremely dreary work in Banking, which made me feel like a burden and a fool simultaneously. Overall, Pinsent Masons treated me and my work experience colleagues very well.

The organisation of my programme was precise and well maintained. There were no drastic last minute changes, and this meant that I always felt at ease throughout the programme. There were a few changes in schedules made when certain events overran or, more commonly, underran - however a longer lunch didn't leave me feel abandoned.

Pathways To Law, who organised my work experience placement, offered plentiful support. They covered all costs (within reason) incurred as a direct result of one's participation in the program.

Pinsent Masons provided many snacks and drinks throughout the programme, and, as part of a special arrangement with Pathways to Law and the Social Mobility Foundation, provided a £5.00 coupon for lunch each day in Pinsent Mason's own Deli - this was more than enough.

Due to the subsidisation of a majority of costs by Pathways To Law, and the kind offerings of Pinsent Masons in regards to beverages, snacks, and lunches, the cost of the whole Work Experience was a zero sum - it met my costs very well.

Pinsent Masons, due to my short stay with them, did not offer many opportunities outside of work. However, Pathways To Law continues to provide an extensive array of invaluable opportunities for an aspiring lawyer like me.

Yes

Pinsent Masons is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of contemporary legal practice. Being there felt like being on the cutting edge of the legal world, and I learnt much about the nature of what that entailed and the law in a wider sense. It was an incredible experience.

Do not be afraid to speak to your supervisor - I likely let my own timidness get in the way of learning much more, so try not to make that mistake. Also, come with an idea of what you want to learn, and, if you are a provided with a timetable, formulate some questions in preparation and ask them.