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)
major custard | 27-Jul-2011 11:37 pm
I'm really impressed, I didn't realize lawyers worked as hard as other people.
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 5:14 am
1. How did this gain such exposure that SJB found it necessary to release a statement?
2. No difference between being "requested" and "given the opportunity" by a prospective employer.
3. Vac schemers would be better equipped to determine if a particular firm suits them if they had experienced the reality of the job they are pursuing.
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 9:05 am
Hillbilly much was exactly what I intended.
It's a good analogy for the inbred and totally distorted view lawyers have of what are acceptable working hours.
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Get a grip | 28-Jul-2011 11:10 am
This story is a non-story for the following reason: if the vac scheme student was any good, she should have offered to stay for as long as she was needed. It is therefore irrelevant whether she was 'asked' or 'given the option'.
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 12:03 pm
Funny how Nicola Bridge hasn't come out and said the student has been offered a TC. Would have thought she would have said so if it were the case.
In any event the VS worker should count themselves lucky. SJB continuously recruited paralegals on the reputation of giving TCs to paralegals. Said paralegals were then flogged, working their hinds off for months for the Grad Recruitment policy to change and the firm to turn around and put two fingers up at a large number of employees who had dedicated much more than a single all nighter to the cause. Don't believe for a second that they wouldn't turn around and do the same to the Vac Schemer in question (though in this case, perhaps the reason they are releasing the story is because they are giving the TC and want the good press from it).
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 12:07 pm
Maybe they are giving this apology because, much like the majority of vac schemers at SJB, the student probably has a link to a client or one of the more senior partners.
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 4:30 pm
Why are we repeatedly told that both she and the colleague were female? How is that relevant here?
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 4:31 pm
She didnt get the gig. Classic SJB.
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Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 5:33 pm
why should she get a TC just because she worked an all nighter? it's not that big a deal and/or impressive.
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Regional (non all nighter) litigator | 29-Jul-2011 11:14 am
If lawyers want to earn loads of money to work all night, why shouldn't they? Takes all sorts and such hours are actually not that unusual. They are paid well for their dedication, unlike, say, nurses, late night bus drivers, cabin crew, road workers etc.
If others think working all night is mad, fine, you can choose not to do it. Vote with your feet. But why such vitriol towards those who do? Why do they "deserve to be shot", maternity leave mum? What does it really matter to you?
However, what does really concern me is the comment made by Anonymous | 28-Jul-2011 12:03 pm. Such shameless exploitation within the legal profession (and so many other fields as well - journalism and fashion immediately spring to mind) needs to be addressed, dealt with and stamped out. I hope summer student received a bonus for her efforts. Pay should be commensurate - at every level.
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