As you may well have seen, we are currently looking for two students to join us for their placement year, starting in the summer.
But what is a placement year at Frettens like? What do you learn? And what are the benefits?
In this article, Susie Moore, who is currently undertaking her placement year at Frettens, discusses her experience so far, so you know what to expect.
What experience have you gained in your placement year?
The experience I’ve gained at Frettens been invaluable. Working here has helped me to see how the law is applied in actual practice, rather than just from an academic aspect.
Furthermore, the experience been incredibly useful in building up my professional resilience and confidence, something studying alone doesn’t give you.
What type of work did you do?
The work I’ve undertaken in my placement year has been both varied and invaluable to my personal development.
Day to day, I provide support to both the Insolvency and Employment teams, liaising with clients, assisting the fee earners with matters, and helping out with file openings and onboarding for new clients.
I’ve also attended initial meetings for new enquiries and prospective clients, and joined Head of Employment Michelle Kemp at couple of tribunal hearings.
Read more about Placement work from previous student Gregory Cooke here.
Do you feel part of the team at Frettens?
Yes, very much so.
My colleagues have supported me and made me feel part of the team throughout, investing their time in me and making it clear from the start that there are no silly questions.
Despite joining Frettens in a more junior position, I’ve been made to feel just as much a part of the team as everyone else, which is so refreshing.
What are Frettens like?
Since my induction, everyone I’ve spoken to, from support staff to partners, has been incredibly welcoming, supportive and helpful. In particular, the fee earners that I deal with have always made time to answer my questions, now matter how big or small.
The firm has placed a real emphasis on my professional development as a placement student, and it’s clear that they really care about their staff and want them to prosper.
What are the benefits?
The biggest benefit, for me, would probably be the abundance of social events. From staff parties to karaoke, there are so many events where you can see each other and unwind outside of a work setting. Pizza Fridays and first Friday drinks are also an added bonus!
Outside of staff events, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the firm’s charity partners, MYTIME Young Carers, which I really resonate with. Everyone gets an extra day to spend volunteering with MYTIME, which is a lovely bonus on top of annual leave.
And, of course, the pay!
Read more about the benefits from previous student Zak Khan here.
Would you recommend Frettens for a placement?
Yes, 100%. I feel incredibly fortunate to have undertaken my placement at Frettens and would recommend them to anyone who is looking to kick off a career in law.
There’s no better place to start than somewhere that is understanding, supportive and gives you actual work to do that isn’t just making coffees! And Frettens is exactly that – an amazing place to work.
Related: How does a placement year prepare you for a legal career?
Placements at Frettens
As of January 2025, we are currently looking for two students to join us for the summer. The deadline for applications is 7th February 2025.
Please send your CV and covering letter to csnow@frettens.co.uk
Find out more about the programme and when we'll be looking for students again on our dedicated placements page here.
Or you can read our tips for applying, including what to include in your CV and covering letter, here.
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