“Like the advert goes: ‘If Carlsberg did summer schemes they’d probably be the best in the world’.  But Nabarros do, and they are”.  (Quote, Summer Student 2006)

 City law firm Nabarro has won the award for ‘Best Undergraduate Internship/Vacation Programme’ at The Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008 for the second year running. (May 22 2008)

The award was judged by an expert panel of graduate recruiters and careers advisers who look at a range of issues. These include innovation and best practice in the programme, quality of work carried out by students and responses from the students themselves.

Students from a range of universities attend Nabarro during its Summer Student Scheme. The Scheme is hugely successful with 42 of the 49 training contract offers made by the firm going to Summer Scheme participants.

Nabarro on their Summer Vac Scheme...

Trainee recruitment at Nabarro is a two-way process – it is all about clarity for us and for our future trainees. 

Our summer scheme is important because in our view, there is no better way for participants to make a decision about their future here than to spend three weeks with us.  Equally, there is no better way for us to get to know them.  Our summer students are, and will be treated as potential trainees.  In fact, each year we aim to recruit 85% of our trainees from the summer scheme. 

The summer scheme is a three-week placement at the firm.  Each year we run four intakes of the scheme over the summer months (three in London, and one in Sheffield).  The scheme has been designed to ensure participants gain a clear insight into our business, the type of work they can expect and the kind of people they’ll be working with. 

‘The greatest strength of the vacation scheme in my eyes was the reality of the whole experience.  Fortunately, fancy gimmicks and incentives were not the order of the day and potential trainees were simply allowed to slowly, but surely decide whether the magnetic pull of working life at Nabarro attracted them toward a legal career with the firm'.  (Mark Reading, future trainee)

Application process

Applications are welcomed from undergraduates and postgraduates from all disciplines.  For law students, applications can be made in the penultimate year of their Law degree at the earliest.  Non-law students must be, as a minimum, in the autumn/spring term of their final year to apply.  Students are required to display a strong academic record (minimum 3 B's at A-Level, 2:1 at degree level).

When reviewing applications we consider work experience (both legal and non legal), sporting and other achievements, community involvement and any positions of responsibility (past and current).  We pay attention to how responses are structured e.g. use of headings where appropriate.  It is also important for applicants to ensure the application is free from spelling and grammatical errors, particularly given that the application form is the sole point of contact a candidate will have with their interviewer prior to interview.   

Finally, applicants should avoid generic responses.  We received over 930 applications for our 2008 summer scheme and it is important that applicants attempt to distinguish themselves by using interesting examples which provide us with as much insight into their personality, background and experience as possible.

Assessment days

Successful applicants are required to attend an assessment day to obtain a place on the summer scheme.  Many of our assessment day attendees will be interviewing with a number of firms for a summer placement and our aim is to provide as much insight into Nabarro as we can in half a day!

The day commences with a welcome from the firm’s Trainee Recruitment partner.  Participants are then required to complete an interview (with a partner and an associate); a group exercise; and a written assessment.  The day finishes with a buffet lunch and a tour of the office conducted by some of the firm’s current trainees. 

We are committed to making the most of diverse skills, expertise, experience, attitudes and backgrounds.  Therefore, in keeping with our clients' needs we look not just to academic ability.  During the assessment day we look for applicants to demonstrate a flexibility of thinking and a flair for creative problem solving that will allow them to provide our clients with the best advice and assistance.  They also need to demonstrate a genuinely positive attitude and proactive approach.  We will also look to their interpersonal, team working and entrepreneurial skills, as well as their drive and enthusiasm.

Summer scheme programme

At the beginning of the scheme students receive a full induction to the firm; our policies, procedures and departments, as well as comprehensive IT and research training.  This is an important aspect of the scheme because it provides the summer students with an insight into the support that will be available to them if they decide to train with the firm.

Nabarro summer students spend the entirety of the scheme within one department, ensuring they are fully integrated into the team and receive a variety of high quality work.  They are allocated a supervisor to assist in managing workload, and a 'buddy' (who will be a current trainee in their department), for added support. 

The quality of supervision participants receive during the scheme can also greatly influence their experience.  Our summer scheme supervisors are fully briefed about the objectives of the scheme and their role.

'Spending three weeks in one department was a fantastic opportunity to get a real sense of the level and type of work I would be doing as a trainee.  I had learnt a lot by the end of the placement as I was given varied and interesting work to do.  I shared an office with a great supervisor, who always took time to explain things to me, and it was often him that made the coffee, not me!'  (Stephanie Murton, future trainee)

In addition to the time spent in their department summer students attend interdepartmental talks and participate in Project: Nabarro – a team project designed to test their team working, creativity, problem solving, business acumen, organisation and entrepreneurial skills.

The summer programme also incorporates a full social calendar to enable participants to relax and have fun while mixing with the firm's trainee solicitors, associates and partners.  Traditionally, summer scheme socials have included a scavenger hunt around London, bowling and a trip to the Comedy Store.  During the 2007 scheme our bowling events even culminated in some spontaneous karaoke!  In addition to planned events, past summer students have also attended departmental/client drinks functions and sporting matches, participated in the UK Corporate Games and joined us at the firm wide Summer Party.

The first step to being a Nabarro trainee

The emphasis Nabarro place on our summer scheme is borne out in the fact that our summer students do not submit a further application for a training contract. 

Trainee Resources sit down with each summer student half way through the scheme to discuss their progress and whether they would like to be considered for a training contract.  Our decision as to the outcome of an application is then based on the students’ performance during the three-week programme and their original Assessment Day. 

'Everyone I've spoken to has been frank and honest about their jobs.  Although the team are keen to recruit you for a training contract, they want you to make an informed decision about your future.  The lack of pressure has allowed me to really reflect on my experience'.  Summer Student 2007

Our basic philosophy is that by recruiting the best people onto our summer scheme and investing in them over the three weeks, we will recruit trainees who have a necessary understanding of us – our business, our culture and the range of commercial experience that awaits the Nabarro trainee.

 William Lo, a current trainee at Nabarro, was won over after completing a vac scheme...