Hi everyone, I’m Pyper Whittlestone, and I’m currently completing an industrial placement year with the law firm Setfords. I work within their corporate law team, primarily supporting matters relating to mergers and acquisitions. It’s a fast-paced and detail-driven area of law that has already taught me far more than I expected.

This placement year forms part of Roehampton’s sandwich course, giving students the opportunity to spend a year in industry between their second and third years. For me, it’s been an invaluable chance to gain real-world legal experience, build professional skills, and understand what life as a corporate lawyer really looks like beyond the classroom.

7.30am to 8.30am: Coffee, calm and calendar checks

My day usually starts around 7.30am with a strong coffee and some music to ease into the morning. Having a consistent routine helps set the tone for the day, and that includes breakfast and, often, another coffee.

Although I work remotely most days, I still make a point of getting ready as if I were heading into the office. It helps put me in the right mindset and means I’m always prepared for any last-minute online meetings.

8.30am to 9.30am: Emails and organising the day ahead

I usually begin my working day by checking emails and reviewing my to-do list. I take time to prioritise deadlines and identify anything urgent that’s come in overnight. This small habit makes a big difference, especially when juggling multiple workstreams at once.

Organisation is essential in this role. Whether I’m reviewing a share purchase agreement, drafting board minutes, or carrying out legal research, staying on top of the details is key. Colour-coded task lists definitely help, even if everything sometimes feels urgent.

9.30am to 12.00pm: Due diligence and deal work

By mid-morning, I’m usually fully immersed in the work. This might involve joining Teams meetings, updating my supervisor, or listening in on client calls. One of the most valuable parts of this placement has been being involved in real legal work from the very beginning.

Within my first few days, I was already exposed to live transactions and able to observe how deals are negotiated in real time. Just one month into my placement, I was trusted to help manage my own deal under supervision. That responsibility felt daunting at first, but it also showed how much the team trusted and supported my development.

Imposter syndrome has definitely made an appearance at times, and I quickly became familiar with late-night searches of unfamiliar legal terminology. However, having supportive mentors around me has made a huge difference. The team are always willing to explain complex documents, answer questions, and guide me through unfamiliar tasks.

12.00 to 1.00pm: Lunch and resetting

I don’t have a fixed lunch hour, which is one of the benefits of working remotely. I usually use this time to go for a walk, grab a coffee, or catch up with friends on the phone. Taking a proper break helps me reset and return to work with better focus for the afternoon.

Maintaining a balance between work and personal time has been really important throughout the placement, particularly during busier periods.

1.00 to 4.30pm: Client work and collaboration

Afternoons tend to involve more hands-on work, including reviewing documents, drafting ancillary papers and continuing due diligence. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, due diligence involves reviewing a company’s documents to identify anything that could pose a risk within a transaction. It’s detailed work that often feels like legal detective work, just with a lot of PDFs.

One of the most unexpected highlights of the placement has been the opportunity to take on client-facing work. I’ve been able to communicate directly with clients, coordinate timelines, and liaise with solicitors on the other side of transactions.

It’s rewarding to see how individual tasks contribute to the wider deal process. When a transaction completes, there’s a real sense of achievement, even when you’re still early in your placement year.

4.30 to 5.30pm: Wrapping up the day

The final part of my day is usually spent tying up loose ends, updating task lists, and preparing for the next day. In corporate law, deadlines don’t always fit neatly into a standard working day, and there are times when working later is part of helping a deal progress.

While those days can be demanding, being part of a successful completion makes the extra effort feel worthwhile.

Final thoughts

When I began this industrial placement, I expected to gain practical experience and observe how a law firm operates. What I didn’t expect was the level of responsibility I’d be given so early on, or the opportunity to work so closely with clients and experienced professionals.

This placement has challenged me, developed my confidence, and confirmed my ambition to pursue a career in corporate law. More than that, it’s shown me how much you can grow when you step into unfamiliar territory with the right support around you.

For any student considering a placement year, my advice would be to go for it. Ask questions, take initiative, and trust yourself. There’s no better way to learn than by getting involved and learning on the job.

And yes, the coffee still helps!