Kiran Sidhu graduated in 2017 and took part in Bristows’ summer workshop in 2018. She studied biochemistry at the University of Oxford.
Insider report Bristows LLP
What did you do while on the scheme? There were several presentations from the firm’s different practice areas, including intellectual property, brands, competition and EU, CTC (commercial, tech and copyright disputes) and real estate. These covered the type of work that the departments do and touched on some example cases. We had two in-depth case studies on patent and corporate law, which allowed us to work through some typical tasks and challenges as a lawyer would. We also heard from the business development team about how the firm attracts and retains business. The scheme also included an icebreaker exercise to get to know the other nine candidates, an informal lunch with partners, a speed networking session, and drinks with current trainees. What did you feel that you gained from the placement? Ultimately, the experience confirmed that Bristows would be a good fit for me and vice versa. While there’s a lot you can learn from researching online, the workshop allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and workings of the firm. I came away feeling like I could really see myself working there. Which were the most enjoyable – and most challenging – aspects of the scheme? I really enjoyed the speed networking session in particular because I got to speak to people across the firm (not just lawyers) about their experiences at Bristows, how these compared to other places they had worked at and what routes their careers had taken. As I was a civil servant at the time, it was great to see that Bristows champions diversity of experience and non-traditional routes into law. I initially wondered whether the scheme being only two days would mean it provided less insight than longer schemes offered by other firms. In reality it was well-organised and covered everything I wanted to know at the right pace. Plus, the fact that it’s only two days means that the scheme is a lot more accessible for people who have other time commitments. Did the scheme end with a training contract interview or some other kind of further recruitment process? The graduate recruitment team gave a presentation at the end about the next steps, which were to write a letter to confirm you would like to be considered for a training contract and outline what you learned during the workshop. You can also include additional grades and work experience obtained since your original application. You’ll then be considered for the first-round interview, hopefully with a second-round interview after that. Is there one key thing that you took away from the experience that you would pass on as advice to others? Remember you are always making an impression and be respectful of everyone you come across – don’t let the desire to stand out mean you lose yourself. A senior associate I spoke to in the speed networking session ended up interviewing me later on, and one of the candidates I stayed in touch with is now in the same trainee intake as me, so it will be lovely to know some friendly faces when I join.
No of scheme places 36 Location of schemes London Length of schemes Winter: workshop (two days) Spring: workshop (two days) Summer: workshop (two days) Dates of schemes Winter: December 2019 Spring: March 2020 Summer: June 2020 Closing date for applications Winter: 17 November 2019 Spring and Summer: 31 January 2020 Application procedure Online application form For full contact information and details of Training Contract, see the firm’s full entry in the main directory on p299
Remember to cite The LawCareers.Net Handbook on your application form if you apply to this law firm.
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WORK EXPERIENCE
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