PRIME student Review

It involved a workshop with rare recruitment on commercial fluency, an activity where we presented a pseudo pitch to a client regarding a M&A, and a litigation exercise where we split into teams and worked as a client supermarket trying to protect themselves with the Sales of Good Act.

I learnt how to polish my commercial awareness and apply it to different transactions and litigative disputes. I also developed my legal reasoning skills while deciphering how to tackle different disputes and how to ensure two entities could work together during deals. There was ample opportunity to present in front of others, also refining my public speaking skills.

I greatly enjoyed my work experience; we were in the Clifford Chance main building, so at the heart of the place where the legal skills we were learning are constantly used to produce the best outcomes for clients. The activities were diverse but all taught important and necessary skills, while showing different aspects of what a career in law promises.

My work experience was organised perfectly; when arriving, everyone would be promptly told what they were going to do with the day and all activities started when they were supposed to. The exercises were made to be exceedingly engaging and everyone was very focused on the tasks; there was no disjointed aspects to the day, everything went perfectly.

I learnt large amount about the company culture; there were many lunches where trainees would join us and we could ask them questions about how it is to work at Clifford Chance in a relaxed, conversational way. Further, there was a clear breakdown of what it is trainees do and the process towards becoming a trainee was explained.

My work experience cemented my desire to pursue a career in law. While at the firm I gained an invaluable insight into what a future career as a solicitor would look like, and found that I enjoyed every task put forward throughout the experience also, leading to my future applications to universities for Law.

No, I was not paid as this was a student experience but the firm provided a vast array of options for lunches and also stated that if there were travel costs, to bring a receipt to the day and that students would be reimbursed in full. As I was travelling from close by, I did not need to be reimbursed.

Yes, there were ample opportunities for this; in fact, at the end of the week we were given a mock interview by an employee who then provided us with feedback on how to improve for future job interviews. At the lunches, many trainees stated that they would be happy to converse via email regarding future plans to try and apply.

Yes

It is a stellar law firm, world renowned yet it is the most welcoming, hospitable place in London I have stepped foot into. As a young, driven individual, my fear was immediately dispelled when the firm made it clear that they are here to help and support you on your journey with them, and are providing an opportunity they hope you will take full advantage of.

Regarding tips, I would say definitely do you research on the firm and on commercial law in general so you know what type of law you have an interest in before visiting the firm. This means that when you're there, you can specifically ask questions about the type of law you have an interest in and learn more about it.