Graduate opportunities

Graduate opportunities

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Our summer placement programme is an excellent opportunity to learn about the firm before deciding whether or not you want to apply for a training contract. Students on the placement scheme gain two weeks' work experience at one of our offices in Birmingham, Cambridge or Norwich during the summer vacation. Students will receive a competitive allowance to help with the cost of accommodation, travel and other expenses.

During the placement, students work with a variety of solicitors in different work areas and every two or three days will move to another team in a different practice area. A large part of the work of a solicitor consists of telephone calls, reading and drafting – activities which are difficult to share with visiting students. We therefore place students in work areas where they may be able to really contribute. This may mean undertaking legal research, preparing or checking a draft document, attending court, attending client meetings, or serving proceedings. The scheme provides a real taste of life as a solicitor and the culture of the firm.

Who can apply for the summer placement scheme?

We welcome anyone who fits our criteria and is interested in starting a training contract in two years time.

What our students think

"Knowing that the Mills & Reeve summer placement scheme has won multiple awards, I entered the firm's Birmingham office with high expectations and am happy to say I was not disappointed. Armed with a timetable of the next two weeks' activities and a current trainee as a ‘buddy' that I could bombard with my questions, I was shown to the first of four seats: family and matrimonial. Working with the family team, as well as in education, healthcare and real estate allowed me to gain a real insight into the diversity of practice areas which are available as seats on a training contract with the firm."
Sarah Wearmouth, University of Birmingham, Birmingham office.

"On reflection the scheme was enjoyable but more importantly it showed me the day to day rigours of being a lawyer. Any doubts I may have ad about my chosen career were banished after my two week experience at Mills & Reeve. I cannot praise the firm enough, the people, the work and quality of clients show why this firm is on the rise and wins numerous legal awards."
Ben Howell, University of Leeds, Birmingham office.

"I was given stimulating and enjoyable work in all of my departments. My supervisors were extremely approachable and always willing to provide me with guidance and constructive feedback. I thoroughly enjoyed my vacation placement with Mills & Reeve and truly believe that it was the best way to gain a concrete insight into the legal world. My advice to anyone else undergoing a summer scheme is to make sure you ask as many questions as possible, especially to the trainees who are always willing to give an honest answer!"
Lucy Howard, University of Leeds, Norwich office

"For the majority of our time, we sat with a fee earner, helping them with their work. I sat in four different seats during my time there: private tax, real estate disputes, banking and finance, and regulatory defence. The work I was given was interesting, challenging and helped to give a proper insight into life as a trainee. I worked on a range of tasks such as drafting a deed for a will, writing client letters, drafting an article, helping put together a bundle for a tribunal and attending client meetings. There is only one vacation scheme in each office, so everyone is happy to give their time to explain their line of work and to make sure you understand things."
Jacqueline Blick, University of East Anglia, Norwich office

"The two weeks spent a Mills & Reeve flashed by in a whirlwind of diverse legal work and planned activities. We were welcomed by current trainees who did their very best to integrate us into their lives and we had the opportunity to get involved in all the firm's extra-curricular activities. From day one we were given our own email accounts and telephone numbers helping us to feel part of the M&R team."
Jonathan Hamilton, University of Edinburgh, Cambridge office

"I was given real responsibility from the word go and, compared to other firms I have worked with, it really felt like my contribution made a difference. The placement itself was structured in such a way that I rotated around four different areas: corporate, real estate, employment and banking and finance. In this way I got a broader picture o the type of work Mills & Reeve does and a feel for the areas I may best be suited for or would most enjoy. All in all I had a fantastic time with Mills & Reeve and the vacation placement confirmed that this is where I want to be in a few years time."
Jemal Deo, University of Leicester, Cambridge office

"As soon as I entered the Mills & Reeve office I felt like part of the firm; I was given my own email address and received great training on the modern IT system. I spent time in four different departments, in each area I was given interesting and challenging work. All of the people I worked with were very approachable; happy to answer any question I had and gave useful feedback. The fortnight gave me a real sense of the friendly and supportive atmosphere at Mills & Reeve that really makes the firm stand out from its competitors."
Rachel Brand, University of Nottingham, Cambridge office

"The welcoming attitude of everybody at Mills & Reeve and the carefully thought out and highly organised scheme made for a thoroughly insightful and enjoyable two weeks for all concerned and an experience that I would recommend to anybody considering a career as a solicitor."
Tom Nash, Royal Holloway, London. Cambridge office

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