Throughout the summer months, we welcome students into our Cardiff, London and Manchester offices to experience life in a law firm as part of our summer placement scheme.
An integral part of our trainee recruitment process, the scheme gives second-year students and graduates the opportunity to spend a week gaining first-hand insight into life in the legal profession.
This year, we welcomed more than 60 students with placements taking place throughout June and July.
Phoebe Orbell, our Head of People Operations, said:
“Our Summer Placement Scheme is designed to give candidates a genuine insight into life at Hugh James. The scheme offers far more than work experience, it gives participants the opportunity to experience our culture, build relationships with colleagues and develop a real understanding of the breadth of work we do and how our business operates.”
Each student is assigned a mentor, usually a current trainee solicitor, so they have a go-to person for any queries. Participants gain hands-on experience, work alongside colleagues across a range of practice areas and see first-hand the high-quality work we deliver for our clients.
Reflecting on his experience, 2026 summer placement student Rhys Thomas said:
“Upon joining Hugh James, the first thing that struck me was how approachable and encouraging everyone is. From fellow trainees to the wider legal departments, there is a shared willingness to answer queries and offer meaningful career guidance.”
Throughout the week, students spend time across a range of departments, giving them a genuine insight into life as a trainee solicitor. As a full-service law firm, we can offer experiences across both our individual client and business services teams.
Sharing what she enjoyed most about the week, 2026 summer placement student Georgia Evans said:
“From sitting in on client meetings and training sessions to drafting and reviewing documents, each task has offered a valuable perspective. It has been fascinating to gain exposure to a range of practice areas and develop a deeper understanding of the work they involve.”
One of the greatest benefits of the placement week is experiencing our culture first-hand. Alongside the day-to-day legal work, students gain an understanding of the collaborative, inclusive environment we’ve built, where people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work and develop throughout their careers.
For many students, it was the firm’s culture that made the biggest impression. Reflecting on their week, Fern-Daisy Cumine and Emily Williams-Thorpe, both 2026 summer placement students, said:
“This week has given me a real indication that at Hugh James there is a culture where nothing is too much trouble – this is exactly the type of environment that facilitates meaningful growth and development.”
Fern-Daisy Cumine, 2026 summer placement student
“The summer placement week highlighted the collaborative and welcoming culture at Hugh James. The hands-on exposure to real trainee tasks across individual and business services provided an invaluable insight to a career in law. I would highly recommend.”
Emily Williams-Thorpe, 2026 summer placement student
Why the scheme matters
Investing in future talent is central to who we are as a firm. From Training Contract Plus, our development programme for trainee solicitors, to HJ Potential, our firm-wide career development initiative for legal and central services teams, supporting growth and development is embedded at every stage of the employee journey. We are committed to helping our people learn, grow and realise their potential, ensuring career development remains a constant throughout life at Hugh James.
Phoebe added:
“Our Summer Placement Scheme allows candidates to experience the collaborative, supportive and ambitious environment we’re proud to have built, while giving us the opportunity to get to know the next generation of legal professionals. We hope every candidate leaves with valuable practical experience, greater confidence and a clear picture of what a career at Hugh James can offer.”
Applications for our 2028 Summer Placement Scheme open on 1 November 2026. If you’re thinking of applying, read Phoebe’s top tips for making your application stand out.
