Summer placements
A summer placement provides a unique opportunity to gain an insight into what it is like to work for a City law firm and put your study into practice. At Speechly Bircham, we offer 20 law or CPE/GDL students summer placements of three weeks (June to July). We use the summer placement scheme to identify potential recruits for our training contracts. The placement also allows you to find out if you would like to train with us.
Many of Speechly Bircham’s current trainees were selected by the firm following a summer placement.
During the placement, you will spend a week in three different practice areas and will be required to undertake real fee-earning work, which is likely to include research, drafting letters, attending client meetings and going to court. You will be assigned a current trainee to mentor you and look after you during your stay and an assistant solicitor as a sponsor in each department to ensure you are included in any transactions or events that are taking place during your stay.
Your first few days at Speechly Bircham will consist of an orientation or “induction” to the firm and the summer scheme. You will hear presentations from existing trainees on the various practice areas and will receive any necessary training, such as IT, to enable you to participate as fully as possible during your time with us.
You will be asked to research and present on a current topical issue at the end of your placement and will have the whole of your three week stay with us to prepare. Your mentors and sponsors will be there to help with any questions.
You are encouraged to get involved in any social and sporting events that may take place during your three week placement. In previous years this has included inter-firm cricket matches, staff drink nights, our summer party, trips to the theatre and, of course, the odd one or two (or three….) after work.
Attending the summer placement is a full time commitment and students are expected to attend the whole of the three week placement. Normal working hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Who should apply?
We select students from a wide range of universities and disciplines. Both law and non-law students, who have or expect to obtain a 2.1 degree and AAB grades at A-level (or equivalent), are encouraged to apply. Please note, our summer scheme is for second year law students, final year non-law students and postgraduates.
When should I apply?
The application process for 2009 has now opened. Please apply by following the link below. The closing date for applications is 13 February 2009.
How does the selection process work?
Interviews take place in February/March. The recruitment panel is made up of an assistant solicitor and a member of the human resources department.
How do I apply?
To apply online click here
Data protection
You can read a copy of our privacy policy (see link below) for information about the security of data that is sent to us and what is done with it.