Perks of the job

Legal Week takes a look at some of the bait law firms are using to hook potential recruits

Cultural experiences

Linklaters underlines its credentials as an employer of sophisticated people with a taste for the finer things in life by whisking off its vac schemers to the theatre. Meanwhile, Taylor Wessing takes its summer students to comedy clubs - a precursor, no doubt, to a professional life full of laughs.

Sport

From the fast-paced but ultimately repetitive (go-karting, Addleshaw Goddard), to the safely androgynous (softball, Berwin Leighton Paisner), to the unashamedly public school but with an inclusive flavour (touch rugby, Ashurst)... just read between the lines to extract the not-so-subtle message about a firm's culture and take your pick accordingly.

International travel

For those interested in long-haul destinations, try Allen & Overy, which this year is giving some of its vac schemers the opportunity to do stints in its New York, Hong Kong and Dubai offices. Just fancy a nice day out? Well, Freshfields and Ashurst could be for you - both of which put on day trips to the Continent for prospective recruits.

Ego massage

Vac schemers are, naturally, central to most firms' day-to-day operations, as one former SJ Berwin summer student attests on the firm's website:

"Partners, associates, trainees and secretaries all took time out of their work to explain their roles. It didn't go unnoticed that my name had been put on the door of my office and on the telephone screen!"

Treasure hunts

Popular among the 3-11 age group and - for some reason - vac schemers, treasure hunts are offered by several firms as part of their summer programmes, including SJ Berwin and Wragge & Co (around the centres of London and Birmingham respectively).

Fine dining

Admittedly the fineness of the dining experience varies, but there's plenty to choose from. For lovers of themed culinary extravaganzas, Norton Rose's vac scheme, with its accompanying medieval banquet, is a natural choice. Bird and Bird's summer scheme, which features a firm barbecue, is the standout option for aficionados of rustic cuisine.

Law school training sessions

Having spent the preceding nine months at law school/university, it's a safe bet that most law students' lists of what they want out of a vac scheme wouldn't feature the words 'more time at law school/university'. But that hasn't stopped Cobbetts from putting its vac schemers through training sessions with the College of Law.

Nights out with trainees

The promise of social fun with firms' dynamic trainees and associates is a recurrent theme in vac scheme brochures. Just stay out of those Soho strip clubs.

"Use of our outstanding facilities"

With the "full use of our outstanding facilities, including the staff restaurant, swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness centre", those spending the summer at Clifford Chance can put any planned weekends away to Center Parcs on hold.

Glastonbury trip followed by Christmas Day reunion get-together

Okay, it hasn't happened yet, but as firms continue to up the ante in their bids to ingratiate themselves with the best talent, surely it's only a matter of time...

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