First year insight scheme

The first year insight scheme is for those in their first year of a three year course or second year of a four year course at university who are considering a career in law. It gives you an opportunity to meet partners, associates and trainees at the firm so come along with plenty of questions.

Applications for the first year insight scheme will open on Monday 25 September 2023.

Scheme dates

  • TBC

During the week, you take part in:

  • a negotiation exercise;
  • an application skills workshop;
  • a group project;
  • lunch with associates and trainees;
  • speed networking with all our practice areas; and
  • work shadowing a trainee.

The application skills workshop walks you through our application form. Our early legal careers team also provide you with their top tips for success. Shadowing a trainee offers invaluable experience, and you get to see first-hand the work that goes on in a practice area. You may sit in on a conference call, help with research or look through a draft agreement.

The insight scheme is a good first step towards the vacation scheme and the training programme. You leave having had a real behind-the-scenes experience of working at a commercial law firm.

It was the exposure to real work and to associates across practice areas and at different levels at Macfarlanes that really impressed me.
George Mitkov Associate