Careers in Law

Kate Bassett

Timeline For Solicitors

• Academic Stage • – A levels • –Work Experience• Apply to University• - Non Law• - Law• Vocational Stage• LPC• GDL• Training Contract

Timeline for Barristers

• Academic Stage• - A levels• - Work Experience/Debating/Mooting• Apply to University• Non Law• Law• Vocational Stage• BPTC• GDL• Pupillage

Preparing Students for Law at HE

– Solicitors – Work Experience– Attend law fairs and open days– Join University Law Society– Attend employer presentations– Attend legal careers

presentations– Student membership of the

Junior Lawyers Division– Mentoring schemes– Pro Bono and Community work– Legal Advice clinics– Interests outside law

• Barristers• Apply for mini pupillages, • Shadowing opportunities, • Attending court• Open Days• Debating• Mooting• Marshalling• Mentoring schemes• Pro Bono and Community Work• Legal Advice Clinics

USE YOUR CAREERS SERVICE

Decision Time

• Academic Results• Choice of University/Vocational Stage Provider – employer

links• Firms/Chambers Target Universities • Funding Options• Location• Type of Firm/Organisation• Client Type• Gaining Experience• Building Transferrable Skills• Realistic Matching

Key Skills in the Legal Profession

• Solicitors

• Helpful attitude/enthusiasm/ability to smile

• Ask if you don’t understand • Willingness to learn• Attention to detail• Doing what you are asked to do• Common sense• Ability to work in a team• Sense of humour• Efficiency • Legal knowledge

• Barristers

• Academic Ability• Written and oral communication

skills• Manipulate complex information• Numerate• Interpersonal• Sound Judgement• IT• Professional responsibility• Able to work with others• Integrity• Self starter

The Modern Lawyer

• Importance of Commercial Aptitude

• Professional Approach

• Negotiation Skills

• Marketing and Communication Skills

• Networking Skills

• Presentation Skills

• Client Care Skills

Wider reading

Legal pressExamples :The LawyerThe Lawyer 2BThe Law GazetteLegal WeekNational Press Times Online Law SupplementRegional Press Yorkshire Post Business SectionLeeds and Yorkshire Lawyer

Internet resources

• Law Careers NetProspects Law includes information on working in the legal profession, and is an excellent resource to those who want to find out more about working in the all aspects of the legal sector (See “Sectors” - “Law”)TARGETjobs includes a useful legal careers section, with employer information. Chambers & Partners Student Guide Centre for Commercial Law the Legal 500 on line, plus details of overseas lawyers

• Junior Lawyers Division Legal Week Student edition students features on the legal profession and recruitment; listings of Top 50 firms and chambers Lawyer 2B Legal Resources in the UK: Legal Week includes legal news and job searchThe Lawyer magazine includes news / job searchThe Times Law Supplement online Legal 500 Guide to the legal market in over 70 countries. Recommendations of law firms and lawyers, and law firm directories. Law Society-find a solicitor A useful resource to find firms specialising in particular practice areas. Also a good way to track down firms which don’t advertise in the Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook.WikiJobs

• The Solicitors Regulation Authority Roll on Friday anonymous insider information and gossip on the legal profession. Particularly useful for those interested in working for City and large commercial firms. Lex Survey background features on firmsLaw Centres Federation information about law centres and Volunteering and job opportunities

• Specific Career information for Barristers

• The General Council of the Bar and its education and training website

• Bar Standards BoardBarrister Magazine The Court Service Faculty of Advocates Institute of Barristers' Clerks (IBC)

What BPP Offer

• Individual guidance

• Mock Interview service– Firm specific and Bar specific mocks arranged via Careers Service– 1 hour with detailed feedback– Tutors and Consultants

• Employer events• Industry specific information• Pre entry guidance• Buddy Scheme

– Advice from BPP student buddy prior to interview

• Weekly newsletter and Careers Intranet– Interview feedback, vacancy database, notes/recordings of

employer talks

BPP Initiatives

• Speed Networking Evenings

• Panel sessions with Employers

• Practice Area Specific Sessions

• Mentoring Schemes

• University Presentations

• Law Fair

• Paralegal/Alternatives Fair

Summary

• Academics

• Research

• Be Proactive

• Be Realistic

• Use The Careers Service