TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS

Transcription

1 TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS School leaver opportunities

2 CONTENTS WELCOME TO PINSENT MASONS WELCOME TO PINSENT MASONS WHAT DOES A COMMERCIAL LAWYER DO? GAP PLACEMENT PROGRAMME WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME GAP PLACEMENT PROGRAMME FAQs APPLICATION PROCESS A DAY IN THE LIFE WORK EXPERIENCE FAQs If you re interested in pursuing a rewarding career in the legal profession, find out if it s right for you and gain vital on-the-job experience by joining us on either a week-long work experience placement, or a paid eight-month gap placement before university. Law firms come in all shapes and sizes so it s important you find the right one for you. At Pinsent Masons, we specialise in the businessorientated field of commercial law, which you can find out more about on the following pages. Whether your interest lies in commercial law or another area of practice, our programmes can teach you valuable skills that will stand you in good stead for the future. 01

3 KEY FACTS BUSINESS SECTORS million pounds turnover Partners Gap Placement Students 5% increase in turnover last year Lawyers offices world-wide Top 75 global law firm by turnover Trainee Solicitors What sets Pinsent Masons apart is a deep knowledge of a variety of sectors, and the ability to develop legal solutions for our clients within them. A lot of law firms try to cover all areas, but we came to the conclusion that doing so wasn t the right approach for either our clients or us. We wanted a focused business, which meant deciding in which sectors we could really make an impact. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Sector Head: David Isaac Percentage of firm-wide fees generated: 21% Key clients: Fujitsu, William Hill FINANCIAL SERVICES Sector Head: John Salmon Percentage of firm-wide fees generated: 17% Key clients: Legal & General, Royal Bank of Scotland INFRASTRUCTURE Sector Head: Richard Laudy Percentage of firm-wide fees generated: 18% Key clients: Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try CORE INDUSTRIES & MARKETS ACHIEVEMENTS 1st More Aim-Listed Clients than any other firm 2nd More Tier 1 rankings in the UK than any firm except Eversheds 3rd Ranked 3rd as a leading UK Law Brand by the independent Acritas survey Leading individuals in the UK more than any firm outside of the Magic Circle, Hogan Lovells and Herbert Smith Freehills ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES The only major UK law firm with offices in all three UK legal jurisdictions Sector Head: Bob Ruddiman Percentage of firm-wide fees generated: 12% Key clients: BP, E.ON 2014 AWARDS AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK BEST LEGAL ADVISOR Partnership Awards INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TEAM OF THE YEAR The Lawyer Awards CONSTRUCTION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR FULL LIST OF GLOBAL LOCATIONS Who s Who Legal Awards Sector Head: Arthur Lovitt Percentage of firm-wide fees generated: 21% Key clients: Jack Wills, John Lewis Partnership Separate area rankings. A new record according to Chambers 2012 EUROPE ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES TEAM OF THE YEAR Legal Business Awards Scale representative of number of lawyers working at location. Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham Edinburgh Falklands Glasgow Istanbul Leeds London Manchester Munich Paris ASIA PACIFIC GULF Beijing Hong Kong Shanghai Singapore Doha Dubai 03

4 WHAT DOES A COMMERCIAL LAWYER DO? Commercial lawyers advise companies on meeting their legal requirements and becoming more profitable. We use our knowledge and skills to help big names across a range of business sectors including many that have operations and interests throughout the world. As you spend time in our stimulating environment, you ll learn about the commercial impact of law on our clients, gaining an understanding of practice areas like Banking, Employment and Property. You ll also get a fascinating insight into the legal profession and its associated terminology, so you can make informed career decisions based on real knowledge. Genna Oakes, Trainee Solicitor 04 05

5 DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GAP PLACEMENT STUDENT 08:00 Wake up, go for a run and arrive at work in time for breakfast in the canteen. 09:30 Log on and go through s from various clients; consider them and, where appropriate, send replies. Meet with my supervisor to allocate work for the day. 10:00 Attend and take notes at a meeting with a global biotech firm to discuss a possible acquisition with another company. Type these up and circulate internally upon my return to the office. 11:30 Spend the morning completing and proofreading court documents before the court run in the afternoon. Perform research-based tasks using the legal database. 13:00 Decide to leave the office and get some fresh air and meet up with other Gap Placement students and Trainee Solicitors for lunch. 14:00 Continue the research task and type it up, before taking a short walk to court in order to file an application and supporting evidence for an upcoming hearing. 15:30 Meet with my supervisor, who suggests amendments to the research I have carried out and a quick review of my files. Prepare myself a list of things to do and check the next morning. 16:30 Work with fellow Gap Placement students on a presentation about the Gap Programme that we will be delivering to our old schools. 17:30 Take the opportunity to leave on time and meet some friends after work

6 GAP PLACEMENT PROGRAMME RACHEL TREASE Lasting eight months, our Gap Programme offers solid, first-hand experience of commercial law before you start university. So, if you re serious about a career in law, it s a chance to build a CV that will help you stand out from your peers. You ll also earn a good salary to put towards university costs or travel. LOCATIONS OFFERING GAP PROGRAMME Aberdeen Birmingham Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds London Manchester Rachel Trease, Gap Placement Student Applying to Pinsent Masons was probably the best decision I could have made about how to spend my gap year. Working in a busy law office, you learn so many new skills that you are bound to come out a lot more mature and confident in your abilities. It really puts you a step ahead of your peers. I wanted to learn more about all the practical aspects of law, and see what really happens on the inside. Because university is largely theoretical, it s very motivating to gain some direct experience of the goal you re working towards. I now know that this is definitely what I want to do. I quickly forgot I was the youngest in the team there, because it felt like everyone treated me as an equal. No one looks down on you for being on a gap year it s more like they welcome the fact that you want to get involved, and are keen to give you as much experience as possible. Most of the time I was effectively doing the same work as the Trainee Solicitors. At one point my supervisor assigned me to a major completion I became totally absorbed in it for a couple of months. Working that closely with the client was a real highlight. When you complete a deal and you see how happy they are that s quite a rush. It s so rewarding to know that all your hard work has paid off

7 WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME We want to give ambitious candidates from any background the chance to experience life at a top law firm demonstrating your proactive approach and giving your CV a real boost. You ll also gain a valuable insight into the working world and find out if law is the right career path for you. LOCATIONS OFFERING WORK It doesn t matter which subjects you are currently studying, or the degree and university you have in mind. We do ask that you like solving problems, are 16 or over, well organised, smartly presented, bright, articulate, and willing to ask questions and get involved. Placements are designed to be as fulfilling as possible, with the chance to learn and develop as you shadow our lawyers on real issues. You ll also be supervised by one of our Trainee Solicitors who will help you gain an appreciation of the skills you need to be a successful lawyer. These include drafting documents, research techniques and a good eye for detail. We re offering a week s work experience in all of our UK offices. Visit our website to find out the dates and locations that are available to you. Bilal Mohammad, Trainee Solicitor EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds London Manchester 10 11

8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GAP PLACEMENT PROGRAMME Jennifer Watt, Future Trainee How long does the Gap Placement last? The programme has a duration of approximately eight months from September to April. Depending on business needs, there may be the opportunity to extend the placement beyond this period. In which offices in the UK does the Gap Programme operate? The programme operates across all our UK offices with the exception of Belfast. We typically offer around 20 places each year, but this is driven by demand across the business. Is the Gap Programme paid? Yes, you will be paid 14,000 per annum pro rata in all locations, except in London where you will be paid 17,000 per annum pro rata. What would I actually do? Your exact day-to-day experiences will depend on the practice area you join, but you can rest assured that no two days will be the same, and you ll be learning continuously as you work towards identifiable achievements. Typically this will include: drafting and proofreading documents and letters; carrying out research; liaising with clients by phone, and in face-to-face meetings; and getting involved in community work. You ll also learn how to approach different groups of people as you attend seminars and conferences. Will my contribution be recognised? Those who join us become important members of the team, working on real projects alongside Partners, experienced Lawyers and Trainees. You will also receive regular mentoring and feedback. This will ensure you learn and develop vital skills such as attention to detail, time management and research techniques. You ll also attend many of the same training courses as our Trainee Solicitors, learning from their experiences and picking up job-hunting and application tips. And, if you re planning to study law, the practical experience will help you make sense of the theory you ll come across at university. What do I need for my application to be considered? We re looking for commitment, curiosity and enthusiasm, as well as good organisational skills, a smart appearance and the ability to think on your feet. We also look for consistently strong academic results. This means you will have achieved A*, A and B grades in your GCSEs (or equivalent), and be expecting high grades in your A Levels (or equivalent). What benefits are there to completing a Gap Programme? Our Gap Programme gives students a rare and highly sought-after opportunity to experience working life as part of an international law firm. Feedback from previous participants has highlighted key benefits as: increased maturity, improved confidence, financial literacy and time-management. Will a Gap Placement help with university or job applications? The programme is well-respected by both universities and employers. Our alumni have frequently secured places at leading universities in both the UK and overseas, and, following graduation, permanent roles with blue-chip employers in a variety of sectors. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who are workready something Gap Placement students will be able to demonstrate. Would it waste a year? Gap years can be wasted if they are unstructured and lacking in purpose. Students only secure a placement at Pinsent Masons after a rigorous assessment process if they are not ready, we will not offer them a place. The opportunity to develop skills and earn money also means that Gap Placement students approach university with a greater degree of maturity than their peers, and, as a result, derive more benefit from their time there

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME Matthew McMurray, Placement Student and David Keys, Trainee Solicitor 14 How long does a Work Experience placement last? The Work Experience Programme takes place over one week, and there are a number of different intakes over the year. You are able to select which intake you would prefer to apply for in the online application form. What is the format of the week? We are constantly reviewing the programme and therefore the content may change, but generally you will spend time in a different practice area each day. There are also presentations on subjects such as routes into the legal profession and a group exercise to help sharpen your commercial knowledge. Is the programme paid? No, the Work Experience Programme is a voluntary programme aimed at providing people interested in a career in law with an overview of what a career in commercial law is really like. Can I undertake a placement at a different time of the year than specified? High-quality placements require a great deal of organisation, so we are only able to offer them at the times specified on our website. What is it like working in a firm that is as large as Pinsent Masons? The size of the firm and its international elements mean that work is varied and ever-changing, while the great efforts made to integrate offices and working environments ensure that the firm has a consistent identity and way of working. Do the firm s offices work together? Yes, unlike some other law firms, Pinsent Masons is organised along Practice Group lines and not by location. This means our Lawyers work closely with colleagues in different offices, in order to deliver the best possible service to clients. Does Pinsent Masons prefer to recruit students with a Law-degree or do they not mind? Pinsent Masons is looking for talented, motivated and ambitious individuals from a variety of educational backgrounds. In England, the firm has no preference on your degree subject, but in Scotland and Northern Ireland our lawyers are required to hold a Law degree relevant to the jurisdiction. What is the weekly workload of a Trainee Solicitor at Pinsent Masons? Law is not a 9 to 5 job, and commercial lawyers work longer hours than most people. Trainees work as part of teams and are therefore relied upon and trusted to complete tasks allocated to them, but there is no expectation to work unnecessarily long hours or to remain in the office once tasks have been completed. 15

10 APPLICATION PROCESS: GAP PLACEMENT PROGRAMME APPLICATION PROCESS: WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME 1. SELF SELECTION Applications open in September 2. INFORMATION EVENING Various dates in October/November 3. ONLINE APPLICATION Deadline: end of November 4. ASSESSMENT December Our Gap Programme offers you a fantastic opportunity to gain solid first-hand experience of law before going to university. As places on the programme are limited, we ask that you are on course to achieve mostly As and Bs across 3 A-Levels (or equivalent, excluding general studies). You will also need to ensure your university allows you to defer your entry if you ve already applied. Find out more about the Gap Programme at one of our office information evenings. For more information about how to attend please visit the events section on the website. If you re keen to join us during your gap year and you meet the application criteria, you will need to complete our online application form via our website. There are a few questions on the form so you will need to spend some time researching the firm and thinking about your answers. Don t leave it to the last minute! If your written application is successful, you will be invited to attend one of our assessment events which is comprised of two interviews; a behavioural interview focusing on the core skills required to undertake the Gap Programme, and a commercial interview looking at your understanding of the business world. It sounds tough, but we need to make sure that we have the best students for the programme. 1. SELF SELECTION Applications open in September 2. ONLINE APPLICATION Deadline: end of January 3. ASSESSMENT March 4. OFFER End of March Our Work Experience Programme offers you a fantastic opportunity to gain a week s experience at a top law firm before going to university. As places on the programme are limited, we ask that you are on course to achieve mostly As and Bs across three A-Levels (or equivalent, excluding general studies). If you re keen to join us for a week, and you meet the application criteria, you will need to complete our online application form via our website. There are a few questions on the form so you will need to spend some time researching the firm and thinking about your answers. Make sure you don t rush your application at the last minute! During March we will review all the applications we have received for the programme. We will select the candidates who we think will benefit most from a placement, and who have provided the most thorough and considered answers to the questions. We will let you know the outcome of your application by the end of March. 5. OFFER By Christmas If your interviews are successful we will look to make you an offer to join our programme starting the following September

11 Pinsent Masons LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (registered number: OC333653) authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the appropriate regulatory body in the other jurisdictions in which it operates. The word 'partner', used in relation to the LLP, refers to a member of the LLP or an employee or consultant of the LLP or any affiliated firm of equivalent standing. A list of the members of the LLP, and of those non-members who are designated as partners, is displayed at the LLP's registered office: 30 Crown Place, London EC2A 4ES, United Kingdom. We use Pinsent Masons to refer to Pinsent Masons LLP, its subsidiaries and any affiliates which it or its partners operate as separate businesses for regulatory or other reasons. Reference to Pinsent Masons is to Pinsent Masons LLP and/or one or more of those subsidiaries or affiliates as the context requires. Pinsent Masons LLP pinsentmasons.com/workexperience