Insider report Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP
Nafeesa completedMorrison &Foerster’s virtual vacation scheme in summer 2020 andwill commence her training contract in 2022.
No of scheme places 14
What did you do while on the scheme? I completed tasks for the employment and finance teams, which showcased the type of work trainees might do, from research to due diligence. We had a long research task for the restructuring and insolvency team. The firm organised workshops with insights into good resources, how to devise a research strategy, and common mistakes to avoid. Before the scheme, we were put into groups and assigned departments to lead a Q&A with. I enjoyed leading the Q&A with the equity derivatives team, as it was a practice group I was less familiar with. The team explained concepts fantastically and by the end of the Q&A, I understood their work and what derivatives were. There were also presentations on mental health, pro bono and diversity. I was pleasantly surprised that the mental health presentation included candid and open conversations about employees’ experiences – this marked a supportive work environment. What did you feel that you gained from the placement? The practice group introductions highlighted the work happening in each area and the commercial issues impacting each group. I enjoyed discussing with the finance team how green finance is becoming an emerging theme. The corporate M&A department was celebrated by several trainees for the knowledge they gained and exciting work they were involved in during their seat. I was surprised by how many people we met and how willing they were to answer questions. Moreover, business development discussions emphasised how juniors were encouraged to consider career development and business strategy early.
Location of schemes London
Length of schemes 2 weeks
Remuneration (per week) £450
Dates of schemes 13 June - 24 June 2022 27 June - 8 July 2022
Closing date for applications 3 January 2022
Application procedure Online application
For full contact information and details of Training Contract, see the firm’s full entry in the main directory on p338
At the end of the week, I had an understanding of the work a MoFo trainee might do.
Which were the most enjoyable – and most challenging – aspects of the scheme? I enjoyed organising virtual coffees and gaining one-to-one insights. Everyone was approachable and willing to talk. The managing partner of Europe, Paul Friedman, read our CVs before meeting us to ask questions about our experiences. I was excited to learn from lawyers at the top of their field! The most challenging aspect was the research task because I had not come across the documentation before, and many of the concepts were new to me. We discussed any preliminary confusions and received training to assist with structure and sourcing resources – I felt continuously supported and equipped with the necessary skills to complete tasks. Did the scheme end with a training contract interview or some other kind of further recruitment process? We were assessed on our engagement and technical capabilities throughout. We had an informal exit meeting with graduate recruitment at the end of the week to discuss our experiences, what we enjoyed and had learnt. I was offered a training contract a few weeks later. Is there one key thing that you took away from the experience that you would pass on as advice to others? The feedback for the assessed tasks focused on writing simply and a clear structure. Imagine you are sending your report to a lawyer who has only a short period to read it before going to a client meeting. Make your work digestible with an executive summary, bullet points and tables.
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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