Vacation countdown

We also have a survival guide for application forms, a focus on insurance law, a blog post from Berwin Leighton Paisner trainee James Clancy on his secondment in Abu Dhabi, and a question from a non-law student worried about not securing legal work experience.

In News, the latest retention rates for spring 2013 have come through from White & Case, CMS Cameron McKenna, Weil Gotshal & Manges and Ashurst.

In other news, a student-run law conference discussing law and the media will take place on 8 March at the University of Bristol, Simmons & Simmons has led the way as law firms improve their positions in Stonewall rankings and pro bono charity LawWorks is calling for nominations for its seventh annual Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards.

Knowing me, knowing you

Vacation schemes are not only a great way to sample life in a law firm, they can be a two-week interview for a training contract. Lawyer 2B canvased the opinions of both recent and not-so-recent vacation schemers and a careers expert to gauge the importance of vacation schemes and find out what to do and what not to do if you are lucky enough to find yourself on one.

Counting the costs

Increasing numbers of students are looking to a career as a costs lawyer, Lawyer2B takes a closer look at what they can expect.

Survival Guide - Application forms made simple

With prospects in the graduate job market looking increasingly gloomy, it has never been more vital to make your application form stand out. Here are some top tips on how to make your application work for you.

Blog - Hotting up in Abu Dhabi

James Clancy, trainee at Berwin Leighton Paisner, looked out of his London-office window to see grey clouds and the tea-coloured Thames and thought a bit of sun could be nice. Three months later he landed at Abu Dhabi airport, walked out into 49 degree heat and couldn’t quite believe the contrast.

Practice Area focus - Insurance/Reinsurance

A diverse and fast-paced industry steeped in history with a seemingly alien terminology has a lot to offer by way of legal work. But the insurance industry is also very sociable, so strong communication skills and a real interest in networking and business development are extremely useful.

Ask Lawyer2B - Vacation schemes for non-law

I’m a third year non-law graduate struggling to get any work experience/vacation schemes. Although many have reassured me that it’s not just me, I feel that I’m at a disadvantage as I am a non-law student. Have you any advice in how I can secure any work experience coming from a non-law background? (1 response) http://l2b.thelawyer.com/vacation-schemes-for-non-law/1016431.article