Work Experience Student Review

As Pinsent Masons is a commercial law firm they have different departments such as corporate, employment, projects, etc. To give each work experience student as varied yet insightful an experience as possible, we each got to work in two departments, one for three days and the other for two. I was given banking and litigation. In banking, when we weren't at talks and seminars on routes into law and what it's like to be a solicitor, I mainly created indexes of case files or cover letters for them. Pinsent Mason definitely didn't want the experience to be wasted and for us to come away learning nothing so we each received a file that gave a general overview of each department and the roles within it so that we could understand the cases we were given to read, check and organise as best as possible. In litigation, I did more checking through of case files to ensure dates, titles and things were in order and also read through contracts to look for specific clauses, regulations, etc. that would support cases they had to defend.

I hadn't previously made an index or written cover letters so I learned how to complete those correctly. I also observed the importance of organisation and the necessity of being thorough. By not just doing things, but observing what the solicitors in the firm were doing, I learned a lot of key skills that are necessary in being a solicitor like the importance of communication, reliability, focus and things like that.

I really enjoyed my week at Pinsent Masons, it's difficult to fault it. Everybody was extremely welcoming and provided you with any help or support that you needed. If I pursue a career in law, I'd definitely like to work for Pinsent Masons.

Very. On the first day they provided lunch. They also provide breakfast and coffee, tea, anything throughout the day. The work I was doing didn't seem futile, after I'd completed a task, they were very grateful and made that clear. I felt like part of the team and extremely valued by the firm.

Extremely. We were given a timetable at the beginning of the week and times were stuck to prudently. We managed to fit in many informative talks, actual work itself, mock interviews, a mock employment tribunal, a visit to the courts and more.

The firm was thorough in making sure we were well equipped to perform the tasks set to the best of our ability.

The firm as a whole was extremely supportive.

As I was doing work experience, it was umpaid.

We've all been well informed this week of the vacation schemes and work inspiration days that Pinsent Masons offer and advised to take part and apply.

Yes

I had an excellent week and found it both worthwhile and enjoyable.

While being qualified and fit to work there is important, being sociable and a good communicator is also important. They are really keen on finding people who are enthusiastic, hard working, friendly and commercially aware.