Law
The majority of law students, and a good number of non-law students want to pursue a career as a solicitor or a barrister.
It is important that you understand the differences (and similarities) before applying for either role.
Both professions will consider law and non-law graduates, and as a consequence you will apply for opportunities (work placements, open days, mini-pupillages, training contracts, pupillage) at different stages in your academic career.
Whatever career you choose, you need to be clear about:
- why you wish to pursue your chosen role
- what interests you in the work
- what interests you about the firm/chamber you have applied to
- that you have the right skills, motivation and qualifications
We have all been there, sat in lectures hearing people talk about vacation schemes and work experience... Do not panic! I will be sharing my three key law application tips in this insight story.
Hear from alumni and professionals working in law
Alumni Solicitor Careers Panel Event
Three law alumni give an insight into their work, their route into the profession and advice if you want to become a solicitor or if you are undecided about which route to take.
Speakers:
- Stuart Vandermark: Chief Executive Officer of Nelsons Solicitors Ltd
- Sam Harkness: Solicitor with Clarke Willmott LLP
- Paige Tugby: Solicitor with Phillips Solicitors Nottinghamshire
Login to SharePoint to watch the webinar
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
Spotlight On: Routes into Law
Hear first-hand from our speakers about their journey, develop your awareness of the application process, the importance of resilience and top tips on boosting your employability.
Speakers:
- Abiodun Michael Olatokun, Barristers at 36 Public & Human Rights
- Junelle Ayettey, Future Trainee Solicitor, Baker Mckenzie
- Jessica Johnson, Trainee Solicitor, Thompsons
- Nikhil Sen, Trainee Solicitor, A&O Shearman
Login to SharePoint to watch the webinar
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
Choosing your career path into law
Think about the area you wish to practice
According to Chambers and Partners, there are approximately 73 broad practice areas to choose from, not counting all of the specialisms.
For example, if you are interested in family law, you can be involved in anything from pre-nuptial agreements to international child abduction depending on the firm.
If you want to be a media lawyer, you may specialise in film, TV, gaming, social media, interactive content, music, publishing or theatre.
How to choose a firm, chamber or organisation
Once you have decided what area(s) of law interest you, you need to research who specialises in that area and decide whether you wish to apply for their opportunities.
You are trying to narrow down your selection so that you can make informed and focused applications.
Do the firms or chambers appeal to you?
Firms and chambers have personalities and cultures, and as such are not all the same. Depending on your interests, you might be considering local firms rather than international firms, London chambers rather than regional chambers, or in-house.
You have choices, so make sure you are applying to those that match your interests, values, personality and career ambition.
Funding
Solicitor - The majority of law firms offering training contracts will fund SQE assessments.
Legal education providers may offer scholarships along with the Law Society. Chambers students guide provides a good overview of what is available.
Barrister - The Inns of Court offer scholarships to study the PGDL and the BTC. Some Commercial Sets may also offer funding. For more information visit Chambers Student
Read Max's career insight: Securing a LLM Scholarship
Your lifestyle needs
The lifestyle of a lawyer is something you have to consider, and depending on your chosen area of work, your lifestyle can vary hugely.
This is not to put you off, but for you to be realistic about what will be expected of you in a professional environment.
You can find out more from websites such as RollOnFriday (solicitors) and barristerblogger (barristers).
You can find other legal blogs on Delia Venables' excellent legal resource website.
Route to qualification as a solicitor for law and non-law students
Briefly, to qualify as a solicitor you must:
For a more comprehensive overview visit the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s website.
Converting to law
As a non-law student, you will need to undertake a law conversion course and SQE preparation courses. While it is not compulsory to study a law conversion course to complete the SQE tests, it is advisable to undertake a conversion course with SQE preparation. The course will provide you with foundations of legal knowledge to successfully pass SQE1.
Applying for the conversion course and a list of institutions offering courses visit the LawCAB website for more information. You apply for the courses in your final year, or after graduation. If you wish to study the course part-time, you apply directly to the institutions.
Route to qualification as a barrister for law and non-law students
Briefly, to qualify as a barrister you will need:
For a more comprehensive overview, visit the Bar Standards Board website.
Converting to law
Having a non-law degree is not a barrier to becoming a barrister. As a non-law student, you will need to undertake a law conversion course.
Applying for the conversion course and a list of institutions offering courses, go to the LawCAB website for more information. You apply for the courses in your final year or after graduation. If you wish to study the course part-time, you apply directly to the institutions.
What are the hot topics in law?
Whatever area of law you are interested in, then that becomes your hot topic.
If you are interested in the media, then you need to understand more than the celebrity gossip. You need to follow the legal and business stories of the media, in the media.
What you also need to know is that law firms and barristers chambers want you to understand their business, their products and services, and the importance of client service – in a nutshell, being commercially aware.
This does not mean having worked in a business – or even a law firm – before, but about recognising and appreciating what they do, how they do it, and how they meet clients' needs and get paid for it.
I also found it invaluable to practice interviews. Once I had completed my initial preparation, I did two practice interviews, a week apart, with the UoN Careers and Employability Service.
How do I organise some work experience?
The legal profession provides many opportunities to gain insights and experience. Some, but not all of the experience you will undertake will form part of a recruitment process. Those that do are work experience placements (solicitors), and assessed mini-pupillages (barristers).
Gaining experience of the bar
- undertake a mini-pupillage
- network with chambers
- marshalling
- pro-bono and other volunteering work
- mooting and debating
- experience in a solicitors' office
- visit and join an Inn of Court
- attend the National Pupillage Fair
- sit in on in-court proceedings
Gain experience of the life of a solicitor
Online work experience
Forage is an online platform providing free access to virtual experience programmes with world leading companies. The virtual experience programmes let you sample ‘life-like’ tasks that provide a better understanding of what it’s like to be a junior employee at that company. They take five to six hours to complete and are self paced.
Forage
Firms will also advertise virtual work placements on their websites. Check firm websites for details.
How can I develop my skills through student societies?
How do I make a successful application?
Writing applications will be a time-consuming business. If you are to impress the recruiter you must address their needs. You have to write in a professional manner, use plain language, avoid cliches, use grammar correctly and make no spelling mistakes.
Attend one of our application support sessions
SQE1 Mock Test: FLK1
This free practice exam on the AllAboutLaw website will prepare you to complete the FLK1 exam as part of SQE1.
It's a full mock test with 90 questions, which simulates the real exam conditions that you will encounter when completing the FLK1 exam for real.
The feedback from my final interview was that my answers to all of the commercial law questions were the best answers they had heard in all of their years. Thank you for your help.
Book an appointment to talk to our team for support with your applications
When do I apply for jobs?
If you are a law student, a lot of your job application activity to become a solicitor will take place in your penultimate year.
If you are a non-law undergraduate, a lot of your job application activity will take place in your final year.
Law firms want to recruit candidates with the potential to become future associates and partners. Non-law students have as much chance as law students at becoming qualified practitioners.
Job hunting for a career in law may well continue beyond graduation.
When do I apply for jobs?
Key dates for intending solicitors
Key dates for intending barristers
Diversity access schemes
The legal profession is keen to recruit from the widest possible talent pool and there are a wide range of organisations you can register with.
Law Careers Diversity Access Schemes
Students with a disability
The legal profession is keen to recruit students from all backgrounds and you should not be put off applying if you have a disability or health issues.
Some law firms have linked up with organisations such as EmployAbility and My Plus Consulting who are worth contacting, attending their events and applying to employers they work with.
What's happening on campus?
What are my other law career options?
Working in this sector is not just about solicitors or barristers – in fact there are many careers that are available for you to consider.
Other options for a career in law could be:
Legal Operations graduate programmes are offered by Norton Rose Fulbright, Linklaters, Slaughter & May, Herbert Smith Freehills and Dentons.