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 non-law/law or GDL/LPC 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 and solicitors 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 be your mentor and to look after you for the duration of your three weeks with us. Each week you will also be assigned an assistant solicitor, who will be your sponsor and who will manage your workflow, integrate you into the team and ensure you are included in any transactions or events that are taking place during your time in that practice area.
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 will also undertake a psychometric test as part of your end of scheme assessment.
However, it is not all work and no play and 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 and netball matches, charity City runs the firm participates in, staff drink nights, our summer party, a speed boat trip down the Thames and, of course, the odd one or two with the current trainees 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 restricted to second year law students, final year non-law students and postgraduates.
When should I apply?
The application process for placements in 2010 is now open. The closing date for applications is 12 February 2010.
How does the selection process work?
Interviews take place in February/March each year. The recruitment panel is made up of an assistant solicitor and a member of the human resources department. You are also required to complete an online numerical and verbal reasoning test as part of the interview process.
How do I apply?
To apply online click here
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