Have all lawyers been to private school and Oxford or Cambridge? No. Most firms and chambers fully understand the benefits of a representative
Is the role of lawyers essentially the same in all law firms and chambers? No. Take solicitors’ firms – the
work and lifestyle that you’d experience in a large City firm and a small high-street practice are completely different. And it’s the same with a London-based commercial barristers’ chambers and a small regional crime chambers. It’s therefore important to 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 speaking to those in the know can you really get a feel for the kind of work you think would appeal and you’d be good at.
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, disability and socioeconomic background, for example. That said, different firms and chambers 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.
How can I find out more? Visit LawCareers.Net for news, advice, features and interviews with those on the ground, and
How can my careers service help me? Your school or university careers service is a key resource. Some
pick up a copy of this year’s The Law Apprenticeships Guide from your careers service for more information on the apprenticeship route. You can also read the guide online via LawCareers.Net. Attend both virtual and in-person law fairs. These are a great place to speak to recruiters and current trainees/pupils.
advisers specialise in the legal sector and can help you to check through vacation scheme 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 be able to help you set up some work shadowing. Further reading See The Oracle on LawCareers.Net for answers to a huge range of questions from students about careers in law (www.lawcareers.net/explore/oracle) and use LawCareers.Net’s hub pages to boost your understanding of the profession and chances of success in applications. Here’s a list of our hub pages: • Application hub • Apprenticeships hub, sponsored by Mayer Brown International LLP
• Barristers hub • Beginner’s hub, sponsored by The University of Law • Commercial awareness hub, sponsored by Mayer Brown • Diversity hub, sponsored by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP • First-year hub • Non-law hub, sponsored by Shoosmiths • Solicitors hub • SQE hub, sponsored by The University of Law
13
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online