Joining the legal sector can seem a daunting prospect, particularly if you do not come from a legal background or know anyone in the profession. At The College of Legal Practice, we are passionate about diversity, inclusion, and widening participation into this rewarding career path, so today, we’ll be exploring the best ways to secure meaningful work experiences as you begin (or change) your career.
We’ve spoken with practising solicitors and higher education experts to deliver relevant, up to date guidance: Elliot Letts, Associate at Steptoe LLP, Xiao Pan, Employment Expert and Trainee Solicitor at Halborns, Lisa Morrison, SQE2 Module Leader at the College and Commercial Property solicitor and facilitator, Alice Payne, Head of Business Development and Marketing at The College of Legal Practice.
This content has been informed by our ‘Breaking into the legal sector’ webinar with The 93% Club and NRG Lawyers.
Can you share your routes to qualifying?
Xiao: A lot of people do direct applications to law firms they’re interested in - although those are a very competitive route. Elliot and I both started off at law firms as paralegals, then progressed as opportunities arose. I find that getting experience as a paralegal gives you great experience of that firm, how it operates, and that makes it easier to pull yourself forward and think yes, I can do this job. Securing work experience is a great start too, such as vacation schemes - this gets you in front of the people who would be giving you the training contract later down the line.
Elliot: I have a similar trajectory to Xiao here, and after my law degree and GDL, I applied for a vacation scheme at a city law firm and was successful, working in litigation and arbitration. They then offered me a paralegal role off the back of the two week scheme. It started my trajectory of lots of paralegal roles across different firms, and ended up in securing a training contract as part of my LPC three years ago.
Lisa: I began with a degree in Law and Business Studies - this was 30 years ago. I was surrounded by people that knew lawyers through their family, and I didn’t. I applied for over 126 training contracts (all by hand with no word processors!) and secured a contract that way.
How do I break into the sector for my legal job, if I don’t have any legal experience or connections?
Elliot: A lot of people get bogged down in the well traveled route of leveraging connections, getting training contracts, and working at well known large firms, thinking I can’t get into law that way. I had no connections at all in law and my first stint of legal experience came off the back of a school prize night. A former student who had become a criminal barrister attended, gave a really rousing speech, and I stopped to talk to him afterwards. I told him I was keen to get legal work experience, and he took me up on that, saying absolutely, come shadow me. It’s really taught me that if you don’t ask, you don’t get - you have to actively pursue these opportunities, especially when you don’t have those early connections. Often it’s a case of early opportunity meets luck.
Xiao: I was very bogged down in the beginning like Elliott. I remember doing training contract application after training contract application and getting nowhere. I then went into a different industry and completed my LPC part-time. I then reached out to people with work experience opportunities directly, and was offered a paralegal role. I try and remember now that rejection is a redirection - I’ve had to leave roles that weren’t the right fit many times, but it meant I found the next place which was right.
Lisa: Don’t be afraid to ask people you come across through networking, LinkedIn and otherwise if they have any opportunities for experience. It’s important though, to think about what you can offer them in return. For example, perhaps you’ve been working in an administrative, non-legal role, so can offer some direct skills in that area when you’re volunteering.
Can you share tips on how to seek out networking opportunities?
Elliot: This is more of an out of the box one, but I really recommend setting up Google Alerts,for like a startup announcing they’re getting Series B or C funding for example. Startups are usually in a growth phase and are constantly looking for people to help with what they’re doing, and are usually fresh with funding. Legal functions are often one of the areas they’re looking to cover. Think of companies like Deliveroo in 2015 - they began as a startup and look where they are now. They’ll often benefit from a paralegal function in some capacity so that’s a lesser known option for getting to know people in the sectors.
Xiao: To add to that, I find often when we’re starting out we look for those big, well-known firms. I do think it’s also worth approaching smaller firms with a connection to you geographically. They’re more likely to say yes, come shadow someone, do some admin and there’s likely to be less competition.
Lisa: I’d echo this as well, but also, don’t completely limit yourself because a firm is big. You may well get in as a legal secretary or a paralegal, or you might find a fantastic small regional firm that can take you on. Always look up the right people on LinkedIn; who is the HR manager? Who might be good to speak to? Be ready, too, to show them something specific that you can offer. Notice what they do specifically and if there’s anything you have experience of that can make you stand out. Perhaps an area they specialise in is a real interest of yours, and you have built up a strong commercial awareness in that space. Perhaps you have a lot of experience in administration from a previous position, so could offer support with their clerical team. Showcase this whenever you’re talking to someone new, or reaching out on LinkedIn.
Alice: It’s also great when you’re a personal assistant or paralegal, as you’ll get to know people in senior positions which could lead to getting sponsored for roles more quickly. Administrative and compliance roles can also get doors opened for you. Use the Junior Lawyer Division in your area for networking too, as well as the Law Society which has free student membership.
What is Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and what does it have to do with work experience?
Lisa: QWE is what you must do alongside passing the Solicitor’s Qualifying Examinations (SQE) to become a solicitor. It can be paid, unpaid, or voluntary work and can be in up to four different organisations as long as the total amount is equivalent to two years of full time work. There is a template on the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority website for how to record your QWE. You need a qualified solicitor registered with the SRA to formally sign off your work as meeting key competencies.
Alice: In all your experience it is about delivering client services work, legal work, and it needs to meet the statement of solicitor competence in all you do. That’s the key thing.
Do you have any tips on how to look for, and apply for, vacation schemes and training contracts?
Xiao: It’s important when applying for these schemes that you think about what sets you apart. For example, I talked about working my first part-time job at 16, working during my studies at university. You have to learn how to market yourself. So rather than saying that you moved retail stock all day, I can say I was organised, excellent at time keeping, and communicated well with my manager and so on. Think about what your unique selling point is, don’t just try to guess what they want to hear and write it down.
Elliot: Yes - when applying, I think Reed Smith said that the key is looking at one or two areas you’re really strong on from work experience as opposed to listing ten light touch areas, rattling down all the opportunities you’ve had. Initially I applied anywhere and everywhere, and then took a more targeted approach, leveraging my unique selling points.
Alice: When it comes to your experiences in work, whether legal or otherwise, think carefully about what you’ve learned, any competencies you’ve explored, and what was unique about your experience. If it's non-legal, think about how you can tie what you’ve done in via transferable skills like organisation, customer service, and so on.
What are your final top tips?
Elliot: I’d say it’s vital to build up your commercial awareness. What do you know about legal businesses, and the legal world? Global affairs? This is fantastic for applications and networking conversations. When you’re well attuned to all this, you can demonstrate fantastic global awareness, seeing how all culture and news interlinks with your practice. I really recommend subscribing to The Lawyer and The Financial Times which will share up to date information in this area. Don’t be afraid to also go for pro bono and volunteering opportunities such as at Citizens Advice, they give you experience and transferable skills
Xiao: I’d really focus on looking into smaller firms when you’re accessing experience. Regional, smaller firms are likely to have more capacity or willingness to let you shadow their lawyers - so don’t discount them.
We hope this helps you with your future career! Thank you, all, for sharing your time and supporting the next generation of lawyers. For more information about securing meaningful work experience, head to our recorded webinar.
This content has been informed by our ‘Breaking into the legal sector’ webinar with The 93% Club and NRG Lawyers. The 93% club is a community built on the principle that state-educated people should have the same unrestricted access to the networks of support, knowledge and influence that have historically benefitted their privately-educated peers.
NRG Lawyers is an organisation that aims to pave the way for non-Russell Group students and graduates in their legal careers. Through guidance, support, and advocating for the people at the top to enact real change in the industry.
Visit our Career's hub for more resources, insight and guidance.