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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

"With no background in law I was nervous thinking about the tasks we would be given. I did find them challenging but everyone I worked with was very friendly, approachable and made the law understandable, so I wasn't afraid to ask questions. In the second week I was asked to go to a client meeting in London and take notes as they were preparing for an employment tribunal. I found it very rewarding to be involved in such an integral part of a solicitor's work.”
Sophie Burton-Jones, Royal Holloway, London, Cambridge office

"My work included drafting a loan agreement and particulars of claim; editing an article on patents for a legal magazine; helping a fee earner with some fascinating pro bono work and summarising a joint venture agreement. The two weeks were a real learning experience and it was great to move away from the academic side of law to see its practical application."
Katy Carson, Trinity Hall, Cambridge, Cambridge office

"During my two-week placement, I spent time in four different seats: real estate litigation, wills and probate, corporate and family. This gave me a brilliant chance to learn about the vast range of departments. I had many opportunities from going to court to attending a meeting to drafting letters to clients. I definitely felt that I was contributing to the firm, especially as some of my letters were actually sent out."
Rebecca Laughton, Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, Norwich office

"I was encouraged to use my initiative and felt confident tackling a variety of tasks as there were always people willing to help and advise if I struggled or needed redirecting. The placement reiterated my desire to be a solicitor and enhanced my desire to work for a firm who were accommodating, welcoming and whose objectives for the future were in keeping with my own."
James Richards, University of Birmingham, Birmingham office

"On my first working day I was given my own email address and was introduced to partners, associates and trainees who knew my name and background. It is fair to say that I felt like I was already a trainee and a valued member of the team".
Jens Henniker Heaton, University of Southampton, Cambridge office

"I was given a good level of responsibility from the start and I telephoned a client on my first afternoon! There is a great working environment because the office is open plan and people were friendly, honest and approachable. I felt that I had more contact with my supervisors and I received more regular feedback."
Kelly Barnett, University of Manchester, Birmingham office

"I was involved with real live matters rather than just simply reading through a file, doing training exercises or getting better acquainted with the photocopier. For example, I assisted with a trade mark application, completed stamp duty forms and prepared a report for a nomination agreement. I gained a great deal from the vacation scheme."
Alex Hunt, University of Sheffield, Cambridge office

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