The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law

Welcome

The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law sponsored by The University of Law

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Becoming a solicitor

Discover what you need to do to become a solicitor

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Becoming a barrister

Discover what you need to do to become a barrister

Visit the Barrister hub

Education hub

Find your undergraduate or postgraduate law course

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Welcome Becoming a solicitor Becoming a barrister Education hub

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First-year Bootcamp | LawCareers.Net x The University of Law

Our virtual Bootcamp event in collaboration with The University of Law is for first-year students who want to kickstart their legal career in 2024.

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The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Your essential first step to a career in law

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Key law career questions

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about a career in the legal sector

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Key law career deadlines

Discover several key events and deadlines that you need to diarise

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Reality check

Without wanting to detract from the exciting and challenging legal career on offer, here are some things to bear in mind

Beginner's Guide

First steps checklist

Here's what you can do even before you start university

First-year checklist

Find out what you should be doing in your first year at university as a law or non-law student

Meet the Lawyer

Read how today's lawyers went from student to qualified lawyer

Legal career paths

Take a look at our simple career timetable

Solicitor versus barrister

What's the difference and which career would suit you? Use this guide to get you started

Meet the Recruiter

Rachel Chapman

Graduate recruitment and development manager Rachel Chapman shares the most common ways candidates let themselves down, what you need to know about Trowers & Hamlins LLP and all the ways the firm prioritises diversity and inclusion.

Meet the Lawyer

Ian Masser

From trainee to partner, Ian Masser discusses his 18-year journey at Beale & Co, the importance of career progression and trainee retention, as well as his area of expertise.

Meet the Recruiter

Molly Hill

Graduate resourcing advisor Molly Hill offers a detailed and practical insight into the application process at leading City law firm White & Case.

Meet the Lawyer

John W Rife III

Corporate partner John Rife offers an insight into the relationship-building and negotiation skills that are vital for lawyers working in the private equity industry, as well as the culture of excellence and collegiality on which Debevoise & Plimpton prides itself.

Videos

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Masterclass | How to research law firms

LawCareersNetLIVE London 2023: trainee panel

Five top tips for FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENTS

First steps for those considering a LEGAL CAREER

Masterclass | Legal apprenticeships

Feature

What are the types of law firm partnership?

Traditionally, law firms have been run by partnerships – a group of senior lawyers who put their own money into the firm in return for a share of the profits. However, in the modern legal profession there are many different types of partnership, with huge variety in terms of how firms are structured.

Ask the Oracle

Will going travelling increase or decrease my chances of a training contract?

I’m planning to take some time out to travel before starting a Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation course next year – how might this affect my chances of securing a training contract in the future?

LCN Says

Sophie Shaw - Five tips for choosing your training contract seats

Sophie Shaw

So, you’ve been lucky enough to secure a training contract (well done!). But what’s next? And what are ‘seats’?

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About the legal sector

What lawyers do

Learn more about the branches of the legal profession, areas of law, and practice areas

Types of lawyers

Read our table of key facts to help you distinguish between the different types of lawyers

Paralegals

Find out about this distinct group of legal professionals

Work experience

Find out about the various work experience opportunities available for aspiring lawyers

News

Kaplan and SRA apologise after SQE1 results error

Kaplan and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have issued an apology after an error by Kaplan meant that 175 students were incorrectly told that they’d failed parts of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) assessments.

News

Crown Court backlog reaches new record high as faith in justice systems erodes

The Ministry of Justice has revealed that the Crown Court backlog hit a new high of 67,573 between October and December 2023.

News

Law Society chair urges firms to introduce overworking “trigger warnings”

Chair of the City of London Law Society, Colin Passmore, has called for law firms to introduce overworking “trigger warnings” to protect the mental health of lawyers, following the death of a partner at a City Law firm.

News

Browne Jacobson launches mentoring scheme to support aspiring Black lawyers

Full-service law firm Browne Jacobson LLP has officially launched its REACH (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) mentoring programme, offering 20 aspiring Black lawyers the chance to kickstart their career in the legal profession.

Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Broaden your understanding with this event!

Beginner's Guide

Videos

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About the legal sector

More insights

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Podcasts

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