Our award winning summer placement scheme allows you to get a taste of Mills & Reeve and the legal profession before applying for a training contract. You will enjoy two weeks' work experience at one of our offices in Birmingham, Cambridge or Norwich. A competitive allowance will be provided to help with the cost of accommodation, travel and other expenses.
During the placement, you will experience real work with a variety of solicitors in different areas. This may mean undertaking legal research, preparing or checking a draft document, attending court and client meetings or serving proceedings.
You will be paired with one of our trainees who will answer your questions and help you make the most of your experience. Presentations, lectures and a selection of social events will hopefully allow you to appreciate our culture.
We welcome anyone to the scheme who fits our criteria and is interested in starting a training contract in two years’ time, i.e. penultimate year law students, final year non-law students, graduates and those considering a change of career.
You should apply online before 31 January 2012. Assessments for placements will be held around the Easter period.
25 June – 6 July, Cambridge
9 July – 20 July, Norwich
23 July – 3 August, Birmingham
What our students think
"In each department I was allocated a supervisor who oversaw my work and answered my queries about both the work I was doing and about life as a solicitor at the firm. Completing tasks typically given to traiees, including research, attending a client seminar, drafting and writing articles, allowed me to get a real feel for what a training contract would be like at Mills & Reeve.”
Alison Williams, University of Bristol
“During the two weeks, I spent time in corporate, agriculture and estates, healthcare and commercial disputes. The distribution of seats enabled me to experience a wide variety of work and get a good view of the firm from different perspectives."
Robert Dennis, University of Sheffield
“Towards the end of my second week the team were faced with having to apply for an emergency injunction to prevent a company from being put into administration. I went to all the client meetings and hearings at Court. I took notes for the file and contributed in any way I could. The team fully involved me and gave me responsibility. It was a challenging but exciting experience.”
Jennifer Dalby, University of Birmingham
“In each department the trainees were most helpful and able to answer any questions raised. The feedback provided by the supervisors was very beneficial in helping to develop legal skills outside of an academic setting.”
Alexander Pickett, University of Nottingham
“My supervisors were excellent at gauging the level and quantity of work to give me, providing enough for it to be challenging but remaining conscious of my limited legal experience.”
Niall McCooey, Queen’s University, Belfast
“I was provided with well-structured tasks during the two weeks, I was given responsibility immediately upon my arrival. I was given a real taste of life as a trainee. I was provided an insight into some exciting deals, as well as viewing the spectrum of personalities in each department. Far from being made to feel like a burden, I was made to feel very welcomed.”
Yasemin Isik, University of East Anglia
"The activities of the firm outside the office were varied; we were encouraged to take part in the firm's sports teams - as someone without a background of sport, it was a relief to find out that they didn't take it too seriously! On top of the sporting events, the firm also organised a number of events to get to know the trainees, including a meal out and bowling. As students, we also very quickly developed a tendency to meet up after work, this gave us the chance to catch up on what everyone had been up to and to ask the trainees for tips on the work we were doing.”
Tom Benjamin, University of Nottingham
“I absolutely loved my time at Mills & Reeve. I applied with high expectations and I can honestly say that those expectations were exceeded by far.”
Namita Matkar, University of East Anglia