Vacation Schemes
There is no better way to experience life at BLP than to come on one of our vacation schemes.
During our vacation schemes, you will sit in departments of your choice and get to experience what it is really like to work for a City law firm. You will be involved in every aspect of the department from client meetings to court runs. This not only helps you get a feel for the firm, but also develops your understanding of legal issues.
Easter Vacation Scheme
During the Easter holidays we run a one-week scheme. This is primarily aimed at final year law students, those studying for the GDL and LPC and those that have already finished their legal education.
Dates
30 March - 3 April 2009.
Summer Vacation Scheme
Over the summer months we run three two-week schemes. These schemes are open to both law and non-law students in their penultimate year of study or beyond.
Dates
22 June - 3 July 2009
13 July - 24 July 2009
3 August - 14 August 2009
A final interview for Training Contracts will be held during each summer scheme.
Applications will open on 1 November 2008 for 2009 vacation schemes.
We've included below some of our vacation scheme student experiences so you can start to get an idea of what the scheme involves.
Stuart Stock (Law student, Nottingham) completed an Easter Vacation Scheme 2008
Attempting to gain an insight into what it would be like to work in a law firm is definitely best achieved by attending a vacation scheme. My decision to apply to BLP was predicated on impressive growth statistics, excellent trainee retention rates upon qualification and the string of training and development accolades showered on HR. This was all well and good, but my decision to accept a training contract with the firm subsequently was overwhelmingly due to my own unique perception of the firm, which I discerned during the vacation scheme, and not upon impersonal figures or statistics.
I attended an Easter placement with the firm, and my week was split into time spent working in my elected department (Construction) and time attending department presentations, workshops, and a partner lunch. A current trainee in the department acted as my supervisor, but I was given the opportunity to work with a number of people in the department, from partners to paralegals. Alongside research tasks I created a presentation for in-house training purposes, sat in on conference calls, and learnt all there is to know about sub-collateral warranties! Everyone to whom I was introduced showed a genuine interest in my capabilities, and would take the time to explain the practical benefit of what I was doing.
Having had experience with other firms, what pleasantly surprised me about BLP was the work ethic and enthusiasm everyone had for their jobs. Trainees would all sit together at lunch in the firm restaurant, and there was a tangibly good feeling around the office. Despite busy schedules, partners would attend social events held during the scheme where possible, and HR made sure that we were exposed to the “play hard“ side of the City mantra.
My interview for a training contract took place in the week following the scheme. I knew I would accept an offer were I made one when, sitting in the lobby waiting for my interview, three lawyers I had met during my placement stopped to wish me luck. It is a cliché, but the people absolutely do make the place, and BLP really sold it to me.
Ashley Howard (English and American Studies graduate, Brunel University) completed a Summer Vacation Scheme in 2008
My vacation scheme at BLP was a great insight into life as a trainee lawyer in the City, with the two weeks offering wildly different work experiences. My first week was spent in Corporate Finance, with the second in Trusts and Personal Tax. During the fortnight, I drafted client letters, began drawing up deal completion documents, and was lucky enough to attend two client meetings and a conference call! These latter two experiences truly enabled me to see how important interpersonal skills and a keen business mind are for a city lawyer.
I feel I learned a lot about BLP 's areas of work, as all the vacation students received presentations on the firm's other departments, and CSR and international strategies. The firm also laid on a number of highly entertaining social events for us, including a quiz night and softball game against the trainees in Hyde Park. These truly demonstrated to me that BLP has an inclusive and friendly culture. Additionally, as a non-law graduate, I was initially apprehensive about attending the scheme, but all the firm’s staff were very welcoming throughout. I'd therefore encourage anyone looking to undertake an informative and enjoyable vacation scheme to strongly consider BLP.
Annie Herdman, (Law graduate, Exeter University) completed a Summer Vacation Scheme in 2008
I completed a vacation scheme in Summer 2008 and I found that BLP really did deliver on its promises, and was exactly the innovative, ambitious and collegiate firm it claimed to be. Whilst on the vacation scheme I spent one week in the Real Estate Department and one week in the Corporate Finance Department. I was given real responsibility and never did the same thing twice. The work I was given really seemed to be contributing to the department, and I even worked on a case which had appeared in the Metro that morning! The work was quite complex but my supervisor took plenty of time to make sure I understood exactly what I was doing.
Everyone was so friendly and eager to welcome me as part of the team. The Graduate Recruitment Team organized lots of events to allow us to meet people in a more informal environment, and I made friends on this scheme who I am still in touch with! I was delighted to be offered a training contract and didn’t hesitate to accept. I would strongly recommend a BLP vacation scheme to anybody who is looking to challenge themselves in an enjoyable environment. I certainly have nothing but praise for my two weeks at BLP!