PLACEMENTS

Robert Cartledge

Studied: Law, Newcastle

My first contact with Norton Rose Group was at a presentation held on my university campus. Rather than the usual list of departments and clients that I had come to expect from such events, the speakers were keen to talk about the culture of the practice and what it was like to work there. Having listened to the presentation and spoken to the representatives, I came away with the impression that the Group offered the big ticket corporate work that I wanted, within a friendly and social atmosphere.

The four week vacation scheme enables you to settle into each seat and get involved with more complex and varied work, as well as providing much better exposure to the departments you sit in when compared to a traditional two week scheme. During my four weeks I sat in the tax and corporate finance departments, both of which were extremely interesting and enjoyable. My personal highlight of the scheme came in the corporate finance department, when having been asked to research patent law in a foreign jurisdiction; I spoke to the Attorney-General of the Falkland Islands!

The social side of the scheme was also great, with the recruitment team organising meals (including an infamous medieval banquet!), drinks and softball matches which enabled everyone on the scheme to get to know each other and also get to know current trainees outside of the office.

However the most impressive aspect of the practice in my mind was that regardless of the department, or who I approached; be it secretary or senior partner, everyone made time to talk to me and answer any questions I had. This enabled me to better understand the work I was doing and I was also able to see that the firm’s culture really was like the presentation claimed. I was therefore very happy to receive a training contract offer, as I knew it was the right practice for me.