Have all lawyers been to private school and Oxbridge? No. Most firms and chambers fully understand the benefits of a representative workforce, which means recruiting the best candidates regardless of background. These days, most go further by establishing their own diversity policies to ensure that they provide a welcoming and supportive environment for people whatever their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, socioeconomic background and so on. That said, different firms and chambers do have different personalities and it’s important to find one that suits you – a compelling reason to attend law fairs, open days and get work experience. the work and lifestyle that you would experience in a large City firm and a small high-street practice are almost incomparable. And it’s the same thing with a London-based commercial barristers’ chambers and a small regional crime chambers. It’s therefore vitally important that you find out which type and size of practice would suit you, by doing work experience and speaking to people in the profession. Only by getting first-hand experience and chatting to those in the know can you really start to get a feel for the kind of work that you think would appeal and that you would be good at. Is the role of lawyers essentially the same in all law firms and chambers? No. Take solicitors’ firms –
What use is my careers service?
Your school or university careers service is a key resource. Some advisers specialise in the legal sector and are great for checking through work placement and training contract/ pupillage applications (or speculative CVs and letters, if you’re trying to secure informal work experience). Some also have contacts at local law firms and chambers, so might even be able to help you set up some work shadowing. There’s lots of info out there about careers in law. Pick up a copy of this year’s The LawCareers.Net Handbook (formerly The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook ) or our companion publication, The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2019 , from your careers service or a law fair (held at universities in autumn). Fairs are also a great place to speak to recruiters and current trainees/pupils. In addition, check out websites such as LawCareers.Net for news, advice, features How can I find out more?
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and interviews. Further reading
Got a question not answered here? Go to www.lawcareers.net/information/oracle to find out if it has come up before. Alternatively, email the Oracle direct at oracle@lawcareers.net for a personalised response to your question.
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