Being a solicitor is great fun.  My route into the law was fairly straightforward.  I studied law at university for 3 years, really enjoying the academic side, and having been able to do virtually whatever A-levels I wanted.  Law is a fascinating mixture of history, sociology, politics, economics, logic and philosophy and well worth studying even if you don’t end up in a career giving legal advice.  If you do a non-law degree, you will need to do a 1 year conversion course known as the Graduate Diploma in Law.

The next step for a would-be solicitor is to pass the Legal Practice Course.  There are a number of institutions now which offer the LPC (and they usually offer the GDL too).  It is worth researching the course’s reputation with university tutors and potential employers before applying for your place.  I went to the College of Law, York branch and really enjoyed my time there.  It is the smallest of the College of Law’s branches and was very friendly and had an excellent social life as well as the good quality teaching.

Then you move onto your two year training contract.  I did this at my current firm in the City of London which was then known as Nicholson Graham & Jones (we have since merged twice!) and is now K&L Gates.  This consists of 4 “seats” of 6 months each.  My seats were in Property, Corporate, Travel Litigation and Construction.  Sometimes trainees have a choice and can ask for a preference, but firms don’t always guarantee a particular seat as their need for trainees in different departments changes over time. 

During the last seat, trainees have to apply for a permanent job once they qualify.  Most people prefer to stay at the firm where they trained but if they do not have a vacancy in your preferred area you will need to apply elsewhere.  Although people are an important part of your job, my advice would be to stick with the area of law you enjoy, even if it means moving firms as it’s important to enjoy and be motivated by what you do in your work.

What I’ve not mentioned above is timing.  Most City practices, and large national firms, recruit their trainees at least two years before they start their training contract – i.e. you apply for a training contract in your 2^nd/start of 3^rd year of university.  This is earlier than most other professions, but has the advantage of allowing you to concentrate on finals without the distraction of job hunting, and perhaps more importantly, gives you the security that your future firm will pay for your GDL/LPC fees and give a maintenance grant for that year as well.  Smaller firms are unable to offer such support to future trainees, and you will have to find other funding sources.

Top tips

• Do work experience.  How else will you know whether you really want a career in the law?  At school, you could do a week or so in a high street firm, to get the feel of an office environment, and an insight into being a solicitor. 
• In the Easter and Summer holidays at university (both 1^st and 2^nd years), try to get onto a “vacation scheme” run by at least 2 firms so you can put this on your CV when it comes to applying for training contracts.  NB, there is often huge competition to participate even in vac schemes, so you need to put your application in early and be prepared for an interview, at some of the larger firms.  They often use it as part of their graduate recruitment process, not just for some extra help over the summer.
• Don’t drink too much on the socials on vac schemes – it will be noticed.  Although those running the schemes may tell you they don’t ask the solicitors and trainees who you work with about you, they do, so work hard and make a good impression.
• Think about doing some work experience at a Barrister’s Chambers, to make sure the solicitor branch really is for you.  It also gives you credibility at an interview when answering the question “Why do you want to be a Solicitor?”
• Read the newspapers.  Firms want people who understand the commercial context in which their clients operate.  Know the current interest rate when you go for an interview.
• Do research into firms – there are differences.  I really only know City and large national firms, but even within those, there are firms with reputations about how hard they work their trainees and assistants, the culture, how many female partners they have and how much they pay.  Their websites are a good start, and publications such as The Lawyer, Legal Week and the Legal 500 – all of which are available on line.  It also helps with interview preparation.
• There is a lifestyle choice to be made – US firms pay a lot, but want 2,000+ hours out of you.  If you want to be able to go home regularly nearer 7pm than 11pm you may want to apply elsewhere.  I found a tour of the offices during work experience, or after interviews, a useful insight into culture and how happy people were.
• Don’t be pressurised into going into the profession for the wrong reasons, either by peers or the attraction of the high salaries.  There is a long training process and it would be a real shame if you didn’t enjoy the job at the end of it, as it is hard work.  Do your research into the profession, the different types of firms, the different types of law and then if it still appeals, go for it!

Eleanor Smith