Key questions
Should I go to university or try an alternative route, such as an apprenticeship? Some lawyers begin their careers immediately after leaving school
Do law firms/chambers prefer candidates to have a law degree? Most firms and chambers are looking to recruit a balance of law and non-law graduates – in fact, roughly half of solicitors are from non-law backgrounds. Studying another subject at university may also help to make you a more well- rounded individual. So, if you want to study English literature but think you might want a career as a lawyer, you can complete a law conversion afterwards. The postgraduate conversion course squeezes the essential elements of a qualifying law degree into one year. While a law conversion isn’t a requirement for non- law graduates qualifying via the SQE, it’s recommended and most law firms require their non-law trainees to take one prior to starting their SQE preparation and training contract with the firm. There are also several non-law specific SQE preparation courses available, as well as conversion courses that incorporate elements of SQE preparation. You can then complete further preparation before sitting SQE1 and SQE2. For aspiring barristers, after taking the law conversion, you’ll join the law graduates on the Bar course, followed by a pupillage in a set of chambers. But note: traditional academic subjects (eg, history or sciences) are favoured. How important are grades at A level and university? Law is an intellectually rigorous career, which is why some firms and chambers require excellent academics. It’s therefore important that you get the best grades you possibly can. Many firms have also adopted contextual recruitment systems like upReach’s REALrating, which look beyond grades to contextualise academic performance, highlighting candidates they may otherwise miss.
by taking the apprenticeship route. This enables aspiring lawyers to learn ‘on the job’ in a paid role, with allocated study time. Solicitor apprenticeships also allow those with A levels to qualify as a solicitor without going to university, while there are other kinds of apprenticeships for candidates at different stages, including paralegal, chartered legal executive and conveyancing apprenticeships. See the ‘Apprenticeships’ section on page 6 for more detail and The Law Apprenticeships Guide .
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about a career in the law.
What’s commercial awareness?
Why should I choose law over other professions? Don’t pursue a legal career for the sake of it or because you’ve
Law firms want their lawyers to be ‘commercially aware’,
but what does this mean? In essence, lawyers deal with more than just the law. They must understand their clients’ business/personal circumstances and the market/environment in which they operate. Commercially aware lawyers are proactive in spotting and suggesting solutions to potential problems for the client. As a student, you’re not expected to be an expert. Law firms are looking for a combination of basic knowledge, common sense and enthusiasm for commercial matters, and (most importantly) the ability to ‘think business’.
heard that it pays well; you must have a passion to be a lawyer to succeed. Do you find law interesting? Has a particular area of law caught your attention? Are you the kind of person who’d thrive in a legal environment? The best way to find out is by doing some work experience.
How do I go about getting legal work experience? As above, vacation schemes are a great way to learn more about the
profession. You can see a comprehensive list of opportunities on LawCareers.Net’s Vacation scheme deadlines page. That said, you’re not restricted to these structured programmes – you could get some experience shadowing a trainee or lawyer simply by writing speculatively to local firms/chambers. You could also get involved with university pro bono schemes or legal advice centres, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. These experiences provide a valuable introduction to the types of work and client relationships that lawyers are involved with. Plus, if the experience meets the QWE requirements, it could count towards the two years’ experience needed to qualify as a solicitor.
What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer? Several core skills are needed to
be a good lawyer – many of them you can hone through your academic studies and work experience. The strengths that legal recruiters look for include: • intellectual ability;
How’s AI changing the work lawyers do? AI is increasingly used by law firms and chambers to support legal
• motivation; • resilience; • accuracy/attention to detail;
work, particularly to make the process of completing repetitive tasks more efficient. This frees lawyers up to focus on higher value work. Law firms aren’t replacing lawyers with AI – strong legal thinking, accuracy and ethical decision making remain essential. It’s becoming increasingly important for aspiring lawyers to show an understanding of AI, and an awareness of its limitations and risks.
• teamwork; • leadership; • problem solving; • commercial awareness; and • communication skills. If you have the majority of these, law could be a good choice!
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