As a first year student, be it a law or non law student, you may think that it is too early to be thinking about internships, gaining experience or just entering the industry of commercial law. But there are a number of opportunities available for first year students ranging from open days, to workshops and even First Year Insight Schemes.

Starting early demonstrates drive, determination and members of the law firm recruitment team, even mention that during the second year applications, usually the first step of the application process for vacation schemes, it is impressive to see that student’s have engaged with with the opportunities available to them early on!

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As a first year student you can be involved in the following opportunities (and most are exclusive to just first years and penultimate year non-law student):

1. Firm Open Days
2. First Year Insight Scheme’s
3. Firm Workshops
4. Scholars Programme/Scholarships
5. Campus Ambassador
6. Other Opportunities

The Table Below lists all firms which provide the above opportunities:

Why attend Open Days?

Firm open days are more then a mere introduction of the firms itself and of the industry. A law firm open day allows aspiring lawyers to spend a day at the firm: networking with trainees, associates and the Graduate Recruitment team, consists of workshops or case study exercises, a tour of the office, participation in skills-based workshops or negotiation workshops and quite importantly it’s a chance to establish those first connections.

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Other questions which you may have are: how does the application process for firm open days work?; How can I apply and what can I do in preparation for the open day?

To answer the first question, most Firm Open Day applications consist of answering a number of questions or in some cases one question within a certain word limit. Questions are usually similar to the following:

a. Why would you like to attends X’s Open Day?

b. Why do you want to pursue a career in commercial law?

c. What recent business news story in the last 12 months interested you?

d. What are your hobbies and interests outside of education/study?

* In some cases, select firm’s may ask of a CV and Cover Letter in place of writing a response to questions.

To answer the second question, you can apply to Firm Open Days directly from their website. Details of the open days are usually available in the Careers or Graduate Jobs section of the website.

As for the third question, in preparation of an open day the following will ensure you make the most of the open day.

Research:

1. The Partners or particular Trainees that will lead the skills sessions, workshops or be present during the open day.

2. The different practice areas the firm covers and the type of work they do.

3. Who are the firms clients and any recent deals or projects they are currently working on .

4. And finally, research all the opportunities going forward that they have to offer. So that at the open day you have the opportunity to ask questions about the application, interview or other assessments that may form part of the recruitment process for the particular opportunity.

Why attend Workshops?

Workshops are an fascinating opportunity to learn more about a life at a commercial firm in an interactive manner.

Many of the law Firms’ First Year Workshops are made up of spotlight presentations by partners about the firm’s culture and practice areas; task students with completing case study exercises in group settings; and provide a chance to participate in skill sessions.

Furthermore, it is a chance to network with like-minded individuals and gain invaluable insights of the issues and cases lawyers face in the real world.

The three most important advantages and selling point of participating in Law Firm workshops is that:

(1) It is a form of legal experience

(2) Increases commercial awareness

(3) And you build and reinforce many skills like teamwork and time-management, to name just a few.

As for the application process, it can be made of up of a written application or CV & cover letter, followed by an interview.

The formal process of applying for workshops can vary between firms, but further details can be found on the firm’s careers and/or graduate page.

Why participate in First Year Insight Schemes?

It must be highlighted that First Year Insight Schemes are competitive, but that is because of the many benefits on securing a place on one. It is best to treat First Year Insight Schemes like a Vacation Scheme from the application process through to the attendance and participation in the scheme.

They are designed primarily for first year students, with the aim of introducing the students to the world of work, a taste of the firms culture and how their day to day life as a trainee may look like after graduation.

The application process for most firm’s Insight Schemes can look similar to that of workshop applications, consisting of a formal written application or CV & cover letter followed by an interview.

Further details of the application process, for the firm’s offering First Year Insight schemes can be found on the firm’s careers and/or graduate page.

Scholarship Programmes	Campus Ambassador	Other Opportunities
Norton Rose Fulbright Scholars	Herbert Smith Freehills	LawCareerNet Legal Conference
Herbert Smith Freehills: Roger Leyland Memorial Scholarship	Clyde & Co	Legal Cheek Virtual Open Days
	Baker McKenzie	Legal Cheek Virtual Law Fair
	Allen & Overy	Legal Cheek Virtual Commercial Awareness Workshops
	Linklaters	Forage Virtual Work Experience
	Norton Rose Fulbright	Aspiring Solicitors: AS First Programme
	Dentons	Universities Pro Bono Opportunities
	Legal Cheek