SJ Berwin was 'wrong' to ask summer student to do an all-nighter
SJ Berwin has admitted that the firm “got it wrong” when a summer vacation scheme student was asked to work until the early hours of the morning.
Nicola Bridge
A female student is understood to have worked until five in the morning after being asked to help another female colleague on a document for an international arbitration.
SJ Berwin’s graduate recruitment partner Nicola Bridge said in a statement: “Vacation students are sometimes invited to take part in work such as deal completions and trial preparation, which can run into the night, and we’re keen to offer them the opportunity to observe and help with some of the more exciting parts of the job.
“But as a matter of policy we shouldn’t go beyond invitation and directly request that vacation students work into the night, and on this occasion we got it wrong.
“Last week a student worked through the night on a document for a big international arbitration. She willingly stayed and worked with a female colleague and did a great job, but she was actually asked to do so and that shouldn’t have happened. In future we’ll stick to our policy so this doesn’t happen again.”
In line with its rival firms SJ Berwin’s placement programme lasts for two weeks. Summer vacation scheme students in City firms are typically paid around £300 a week.
The student was not available for comment.
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Readers' comments (75)
Anonymous | 26-Jul-2011 9:06 pm
I thought that vac schemes were about making the students believe that City law was essentially a succession of champagne receptions and go-karting? Poor form SJ Berwin...
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Anonymous | 26-Jul-2011 9:08 pm
If you cant do an all nighter, then your not cut out to be a city lawyer, SJB or otherwise.
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Anonymous | 26-Jul-2011 10:08 pm
In all honesty, I think in this situation it was the Summer Students choice and I think anyone would have done the same and would have wanted to stay and finish off a deal they had been working on for the week.
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Anonymous | 26-Jul-2011 10:40 pm
Best vaccie ever?
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Ex-SJB Associate | 26-Jul-2011 11:19 pm
There were a fair few vac schemers I saw who put the long hours in on their SJB summer schemes...she would surely not have been the first to do an all nighter...at the end of the day vac schemers are looking to gain an insight as to what life is like being a trainee at SJB...so slogging your guts out to all hours is a fair representation...
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Class of 2011 | 27-Jul-2011 0:07 am
I think she just got lucky!!!
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National Firm Parter | 27-Jul-2011 1:12 am
I don't see what the big deal is about this. I'm a partner at a national firm outside of London and we've had a few Vac Schemers who have stayed much later than expected for various reasons.
There is no obligation to do so and if one does it should be given credit if anything. If they choose not to stay it shouldn't be frowned upon as they may have other things/priorities to take care of.
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Ad Webster | 27-Jul-2011 6:11 am
Another firm taking advantage of its people! Pay peanuts to its staff - charge the client loads
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Anonymous | 27-Jul-2011 8:07 am
I don't undertsand why this is such a big deal. Its about having good work ethic whether you re an intern or an associate - whether its pagination or actually working on documentation. So long as an individual has no complaints, its absolutely fine.
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Clergham | 27-Jul-2011 8:42 am
Law firms shouldn't be getting anyone to "do all-nighters". That's not about quality of service, it's about testosterone and brinkmanship.
If you want a job that's so important you need to work all night become a surgeon. Otherwise accept that it just isn't that important and will wait for tomorrow.
And is Nicola Bridge seriously saying that late night completions are one of the "more exciting" parts of the job? SERIOUSLY?
God I forgot how idiotic being a lawyer is. Thanks for the Wednesday morning reminder.
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