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- What is Shadowing?
- How does it work?
- I'm a Host, what will I need to do?
- I'm a Shadow, what should I expect?
- Any other ground rules?
- Who do I contact?
Shadowing is the attendance of a Student Branch Member (the 'Shadow') at the office of a Fellow (or other experienced) Branch Member (the 'Host') for at least 1 day (but this could be 2 half days) to observe how things happen in the 'real' world of the law office. It is not training. It is not work experience (because the Shadow will not normally be actually working but simply observing the Host at work).
A record is kept in the branch records of those Students wanting to shadow and those Fellows etc. willing to be hosts. By marrying the 2 lists together Shadows are put in touch with Hosts. Only email addresses are released to both individuals with the onus then falling on them to make contact and such shadowing arrangements as they see fit. Once a visit has taken place, both Shadow and Host will be given contact details of someone else on the relevant list.
Depending on the state of the lists at any time, Shadows may be allocated the same Host more than once although the aim is to try to enable Shadows to see several different offices and/or work types. Equally, if there are lots of Shadows there may be a delay before a new Host is allocated as priority will be given to those Shadows with no or fewer recorded visits.
I'm a Host, what will I need to do?
As a bare minimum, you will need to:
- Agree to be a Host
- Make contact with a Shadow when asked
- Arrange for the Shadow to spend a day with you in the office
- Confirm that has happened
In addition, you may want or need to:
- Obtain permission from your employer
- Arrange for the Shadow to sign a confidentiality agreement or other consent form
- Spend some time explaining the type of work you do etc.
- Arrange for the Shadow to visit again (but bear in mind you will be asked to see others too)
I'm a Shadow, what should I expect?
Cynical though it may sound, the less you expect the less likely it is you will be disappointed! As you can see from the Host requirements, the minimum you should get is one day sitting in the Host's office. Hopefully s/he will remember you are there and offer you a coffee at some stage during the day.
It is extremely unlikely you will be asked to any actual work and even less likely you will be paid anything. This is not work experience or work placement (but there is nothing to stop you arranging that if you hit it off and the Host's employers agree).
Please try to remember that the Host is doing this entirely voluntarily and that, with the best will in the world, s/he will not really have time to explain exactly what is happening all the time. You will not leave knowing how to do the job nor necessarily knowing much more about the relevant law. What you will see is how conveyancing, probate, family or other matters are dealt with in the office, something is which distressingly different to how it appears on the page.
As the notes above suggest, to keep expense and administration to a minimum, the scheme operates entirely via email so Rule 1 is to have regular access to an email account.
Other than that, there are really only 3.
Confidentiality
It is essential Shadows remember that whatever they see or hear in an office concerning a Host's client is strictly confidential and must under no circumstances be disclosed to anyone outside of the Host's firm. Some firms may ask you sign forms confirming your understanding of this. If the Host is seeing a client, s/he will need to ask the client for consent to you sitting in. Do not be offended if the client says no. Many matters handled by lawyers are very personal so clients don't want strangers there. On the other hand, most understand that everyone needs to learn and raise no objection.Courtesy
This cuts both ways. All involved are doing what they do on a voluntary basis - either because they want to learn or because they are willing to help. Therefore, please do not have unrealistic expectations or be offended or offensive if one or other of you is unable or unwilling to be accommodating. If one set up does not work out, simply ask for another. There is no need to give reasons although if anyone considers someone's behaviour to be out of order we would like to know about it and will try to resolve any misunderstanding.Co-operation
Recorded here is only the bare minimum the Branch believes should be achievable. There is nothing to stop Shadow and Host working out different and perhaps more extensive arrangements. The only thing to remember is that once there has been a successful visit, both will be sent details of someone else on the relevant list.
Entry to and removal from the list of Shadows or Hosts is completely free (N.B. but only paid up Branch Members may be Shadows) and voluntary. To be added or removed or if there are any questions please contact Nick Hanning. Similarly, if there are comments or criticisms about how the scheme works please let us know.
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