PLACEMENTS

Tal Geron

Studied: English Law and French Law, Kings College London/ Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Choosing a career and an employer are not easy decisions to make, nor should they be taken lightly. Indeed, the multitude of glossy brochures, smiling faces and impressive statistics used in the marketing of legal practices often makes it difficult to distinguish one employer from another. I was glad, therefore, to be able to undertake vacation schemes at three different sized City legal practices which allowed me to appreciate, at first hand, some of what differentiates these practices and more importantly, what it would be like to work for one.

While the Norton Rose Group scheme was longer than other vacation schemes undertaken (four weeks), it was, at the same time, that much more rewarding and fulfilling, for it challenged me in a way which I had not necessarily expected and which I certainly did not experience at other practices.

I spent the first half of the scheme with a Partner in the Corporate Finance department where I was exposed to the corporate and transactional nature of work undertaken at a large international legal practice. I attended client meetings, negotiations and carried out research into several interesting legal issues arising from company acquisitions, including areas of taxation, employment and competition law. The second fortnight was spent with an Associate in the Intellectual Property and Technology department of Dispute Resolution. This was equally interesting and involved drafting client correspondence, as well as discovering different areas of law which I had not had the opportunity of studying at degree level. I was particularly impressed by the professionalism and quality of the lawyers that I came into contact with, not to mention the patient manner in which complicated issues were explained to me. Together with that, the length of the scheme and the rotation through two different departments enabled me to see a wide variety of work, providing me with a broader understanding of the nature and diversity of the practice.

In addition to gaining experience in the actual work of the practice, a number of additional legal challenges and activities were also organised, including advocacy practice in a mock trial, group research and oral presentations, interviewing an associate about a recent transaction and drafting a report, as well as workshops on public speaking and departmental presentations.

These additional activities, most of which were absent from other vacation schemes, formed an invaluable part of the experience. Not only did they develop a number of skills such as public speaking, drafting and time management, but they also provided us with an opportunity to integrate and to get to know each other better, which was an equally important part of the overall experience.

More importantly, however, the range of skills which these various activities entailed, gave us personal insight and first hand experience of what working as a solicitor (and not just as an intern) was really like. In that respect, the Norton Rose Group scheme was both more fulfilling and insightful than my other work experiences.

Of course, I should not forget to mention that we were generously treated to numerous evening socials and outings, including dinners, drinks, shows and a healthy dose of cricket and softball! Meanwhile, the genuine and warm way in which we were received, by everyone at the firm and the friendliness of the working atmosphere made the four weeks all the more enjoyable. In the end, this proved to be just as important a part of my decision to accept the offer of a training contract with Norton Rose Group.

Needless to say, I very much look forward to returning to Norton Rose Group, confident that this is indeed an excellent legal practice with a friendly culture and which is involved in interesting and high profile legal work.