Introduction to Law Opportunities

27 Sep Introduction to Law Opportunities

Students in Year 11 & Year 13 got a fantastic opportunity to hear from trainee solicitors from the international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

Students in Year 13 were given an insight into the world of commercial law but, more importantly, hints and tips about what they can be doing now to make themselves appealing on an application, how to go about applying and, once through the door, how to approach an interview to show themselves off the best they can. Emily, Luke and Emma gave them an insight into the early years as a trainee and how working with a large firm gives them the opportunity to trial in different departments to find out what works for them from Real Estate to Disputes and Employment.

Serena from Graduate Recruitment further added to the insight by speaking about the opportunities and pathways into law, both in terms of HSF but also on a more general level.

Later in the day Chloe, Claire, Naimah and Erik took the Year 11 students through their paces. providing an overview to law, the routes they took to get where they are now and the alternatives. Students were divided into four teams later in the session and then given the task to negotiate a settlement for either the individual or the company in the situation they were given. The teams set about preparing their arguments ready for presentation, trying to gain the best they could for their client but also trying to work out what the opposing team may be trying to get.

Once the teams set about negotiating it became very intense and easy to see that settlements might take some time. An untimely fire drill meant they had to leave their chairs, but the discussion carried on out to the lines and back again!

Eventually a settlement was reached in both “courtrooms” – interestingly the individual client came out with a better deal in one, whilst the company got a better deal in the other – what if those two teams had been against each other?

Overall, it was an amazingly insightful day, all students came away with new understanding of what it might be like to go down the law pathway and how they can set about doing it.

I am immensely grateful to the two teams of presenters that came from Herbert Smith Freehills – hearing it from the professionals is so powerful. I don’t think they put us on the “fee clock” either!

Miss Campbell

Deputy Director of Sixth Form

Head of Year 13