What makes a leading UK law firm? - Burges Salmon

Vacation schemesApplication deadline: 14 January 2014Vacation schemesBurges Salmon runs four two-weeksummer vacation schemes eachyear. Vacation schemes are highlyrecommended for anyone wishingto pursue a career as a solicitor. Youwill have the opportunity to sit intwo different areas, supervised bya qualified solicitor, and undertaketasks such as drafting, research andletter-writing.There is a definite emphasis on‘real’ work, with opportunities toattend court hearings and clientmeetings. In addition to this, we runseveral skills sessions and partnersand senior solicitors give practicearea talks over breakfast eachweek. Trainee solicitors organisea programme of sports and socialevents to give an all-round view oflife as a lawyer at Burges Salmon.All candidates are offered a trainingcontract interview at the end ofthe two-week scheme which isconducted by a recruitment partnerand a member of our HR team.Vacation schemeassessment centresIn order to be considered for avacation scheme in summer 2014you must submit an application bythe 14 January 2014. Successfulcandidates will be invited to attendan assessment centre in earlyFebruary.Assessment centres include agroup exercise, a psychometric testand a brief interview with one of therecruitment partners or a memberof the HR team. There are also talksfrom lawyers on their practice areas,presentations by current trainees,lunch, and a tour of our office to givecandidates a chance to get to knowus as well.‘The firm ensures thatall vacation schemestudents are involvedin a range of realwork; I was invited toattend conferencecalls and even a clientmeeting with a partner.Spending two weekswith the firm hasdemonstrated howmuch Burges Salmonvalues its people andit has highlighted thecollaborative cultureof the firm.’Charlotte HolgateVacation scheme student, 201353