Getting To Know Pinsent Masons Virtually

Just as the second lockdown struck, so approached application deadlines for vacation placements. So, here’s an overview of how I got to know Pinsent Masons virtually.

How I discovered Pinsent Masons. My first exposure to Pinsent Masons was during an Aspiring Solicitors networking event that was held virtually in early September 2020. After attending the event, I knew I wanted to apply to Pinsent Masons as I felt I suited the firm’s culture and had a strong interest in many of the firm’s key practice areas. I believe that meeting Pinsent Masons prior to applying to the firm was advantageous in ensuring that I was enthusiastic to be a part of the firm and my application was sufficiently firm-specific. Equally, the networking event held by Aspiring Solicitors was a great opportunity to ask lots of questions and really get to know the firm, its strategy and purpose!

With an increase in virtual events, there were also lots of other easily accessible opportunities to get to know Pinsent Masons at virtual law fairs and specific webinars held by the likes of Bright Network and the Legal Cheek. Attending virtual events is a great way to compare different types of law firms from small high-street to large multi-national firms. It was also really insightful to attend virtual events which focused upon unique aspects of Pinsent Masons’ work such as the firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion, and the firm’s innovative use of legal technology. Attending these events enabled me to approach my vacation placement application with a prior understanding of the firm’s strategy – and with many questions to ask at networking events!

The Placement. My two-week vacation placement was spent (virtually!) in Pinsent Masons’ Employment Department, with tasks ranging from legal research, drafting advice notes, to document review. As no two tasks were the same, I had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of work from across the department! I had daily meetings with my trainee buddy and mentor which was a great opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback on the work I was set. The Employment Department was also really welcoming with weekly team meetings, socials, and training webinars. During these meetings I heard about cases other solicitors were working on and I was able to see how the work I contributed to the department fitted into the wider development of cases.

During the vacation placement, there were numerous socials and opportunities for networking! A murder mystery social and a virtual scavenger hunt, are just two examples, which were a great opportunity to informally get to know other people on the vacation placement along with getting to know current trainees who are training in our specific offices! Equally, during the placement, we were encouraged to reach out to other departments and practice areas in which we had interests. Throughout the two weeks, I reached out to numerous people across the firm and in other departments such as the property department. It was great to hear about the different types of work across the firm and the different initiatives in which people were involved with. From my experience, everyone was extremely approachable and happy to arrange a time to talk on MS Teams! Having the opportunity to talk virtually was so valuable to gaining a wider understanding of the firm and arranging a call virtually replicated approaching someone in the office.

Apart from visiting the office, I was able to successfully get to know Pinsent Masons virtually! From completing meaningful work for the department to getting to experience the culture and purpose of the firm first-hand – I am confident that I was able to experience what life would be like as a trainee at Pinsent Masons!

Sarah Davies, Manchester Vacation Placement Participant