As the number of applications for our summer placement scheme starts to grow, we thought we’d tell you what happens in the run up to and during the scheme.
With around 50% of our trainee solicitor roles being offered to attendees, the scheme is an integral part of our recruitment drive. We recruit our trainee solicitors two years in advance so you can apply to the scheme in your second year at university.
Once the closing date (31 March) passes, the panel sit down and sift through all the applications to make an initial shortlist. Plenty of coffee is needed!
The successful shortlisted candidates are invited in for a short interview, a fifteen minute opportunity to sell yourself and secure a place on the scheme.
On day one of the scheme, you will be met by a member of the HR team who will introduce you to your fellow attendees and your individual mentor for the week. Your mentor will be a trainee or recently qualified solicitor. This way you will experience first-hand the life of a Hugh James trainee or junior solicitor. They can give you support, advice and guidance as it wasn’t that long since they were where you are now.
During your two weeks you will have the opportunity to get involved with different aspects of the wide range of legal services that Hugh James offers. Perhaps you will start to decide the areas of law that interest you the most.
Previous attendees of the scheme have experienced attending court, sitting in on client meetings, taking and drafting witness statements, taking initial instructions, legal research and preparing documents for court. We will keep you busy! However you will have the opportunity to experience the culture and social side of the firm as well.
You will be given tasks to complete throughout the two weeks culminating in a presentation and interview with the trainee solicitor recruitment panel.
Having made perhaps their most difficult decisions of the year, the panel will inform the attendees of the outcome at the end of the summer.
You can apply to our summer placement scheme here.
Good luck.
