A Career in Law?
Legal training is tough, long and expensive added to that is the fact that there has been an increase in the number of students studying the law and a decrease in the number of training contracts registered with the Law Society. With so many law graduates chasing limited legal positions - competition is fierce - employers, therefore, can be ‘choosy’ - and nowadays legal qualifications are no guarantee of securing a training contract and/or a position within a legal firm.
Very careful thought and planning is required, therefore, before embarking on a long and costly period of study and training. Any prospective employer will look for good grades throughout schooling. So aspiring lawyers should get ahead of the pack by focusing on getting top grades at GCSE and A’Level.
When assessing potential trainees legal firms look for high calibre Candidates normally with a minimum of a 2:2, but most will expect a 2:1 or First. Most law firms recruit their trainees at least two years in advance and ideally students should aim to secure a training contract by the end of year 2 (of a 3 year degree). If students do not have a training contract arranged at the completion of their law degree and/or the CPE they should think very carefully before taking on the LPC/BVC, particularly if their academic background is not particularly strong.
Work Experience, Vacation Placements and Mini Pupillages have become increasingly important and students should endeavour to gain this type of experience whenever possible throughout their studies, as any potential employer likes to see evidence of this on CVs.
As well as academic ability, an aspiring lawyer will need to demonstrate certain skills at the point of interview:-
Communication Skills
Both in the sense of understanding complex information, (which you will be expected to digest), and in the sense of good written and spoken communication to others, whether fellow professionals, clients and/or other key people.
Interpersonal Skills
You will need to get on with many varied types of people including working under pressure with your own colleagues and those who seek your professional services, some of whom will be distressed and anxious for you to resolve their problems.
Personal Effectiveness
Your time project and people management skills must be good. Most of your work will be done under pressure and may not fit into convenient 9-5 office hours.
IT Skills
You will be expected to use legal databases, which are extensive, as a matter of routine in most offices. In addition the business of the office will probably be handled through computer packages and you must be confident in the use of this technology.
Responsibility and Integrity
As a Professional Lawyer you will be expected to have high standards of personal integrity and an ethical approach to your work. You will also need negotiation/presentation skills, commercial and business awareness and the ability to thrive under pressure.
If you haven’t been able to secure a training contact, there are alternative routes into the profession for example, qualifying as a Legal Executive through the Institute of Legal Executive (ILEX), or working as a legal secretary or para legal. Many legal secretaries and para legals have gone on to become successful lawyers.
Generally, the most successful students are those with good grades throughout their schooling, have undertaken various vacation placements/assignments within legal firms, and have excellent personal presentation and communication skills.”