Getting into law is competitive. Whether you are a law student, a paralegal, a graduate from another discipline, or a career changer, the route to a training contract can feel confusing. What exactly are firms looking for?
This guide draws from a careers webinar hosted by The College of Legal Practice, featuring three practitioners who recruit, train, and supervise the next generation of lawyers. Salma Maqsood is a commercial property solicitor and President of Bristol Law Society. Egbe Manton is an in-house lawyer with a Silver Circle background and Co-Founder of a tech and AI-enabled legal careers organisation. Saima Haroon is a consultant solicitor and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship coach at the College. This is part one of a two part careers guide, focusing on the skills, behaviours and mindsets law firms are looking for in future trainees.
What does a strong future trainee solicitor look like today?
Salma: For me, attitude comes before anything else. I look for a positive outlook, a curious mind, and a proactive approach, combined with clear communication, both written and spoken. Another important aspect I look out for is commercial awareness. This means knowing what is going on economically, in the real world, understanding the client, the business they are in, and helping them to problem-solve. The legal part matters, but it is one piece of a much larger picture.
Egbe: First: commerciality. As an in-house lawyer, I look at whether lawyers at every level can understand our business. For aspiring solicitors, that means grasping how a law firm itself operates. Alongside that, AI competency is no longer optional. If I was an aspiring solicitor now, I would be playing around with different software in my spare time, because when you become a trainee, there will be an expectation that you envelop that within your day-to-day practice.
Saima: I would echo what Salma and Egbe said about commerciality. I would also add a strong work ethic, good interpersonal skills, and a genuine passion for ongoing learning. The law is constantly changing and you need to be prepared to keep training. Always stay curious. Always keep learning.
What skills or behaviours do you often see lacking in trainees or junior lawyers?
Saima: One of the key differences I notice is between those who have had a job alongside their studies and those who have never worked in a part-time role. Working in a call centre, a kitchen, or a shop teaches you things a textbook does not: how to manage pressure, a strong work ethic, how to deal with difficult people, and how to keep going when it is not going well. When someone comes in without that foundation, the adjustment to firm life is harder, as managing an intense working day needs a strong work ethic behind it.
Egbe: For me, it is a mindset issue. Too many people treat getting the training contract as the finish line, when in fact it is the starting block. The first couple of years are going to be tricky. You will make mistakes. What matters is how you bounce back. Resilience is not a nice-to-have., i It is a core professional skill.
Salma: Trainees tend to be reactive. They wait to be told what the next step is. Someone told me early in my career: stop waiting for permission. If your mind is logically going to the next step, just go and do it. Have a proactive mindset.
Start as you mean to go on: one thing to focus on right now
When asked for a single piece of advice, each panellist gave something distinct. Together, they form a practical three-part answer.
Salma: Don’t give up. Just persevere. If getting a training contract is really what you want to do, keep going.
Saima: Do as much research and work experience as you can to find out which area of law you actually like. This is a long career and knowing what suits you shapes everything from where you apply to how long you stay.
Egbe: If you want to become a trainee, start acting like one. Be ultra-organised, be deliberate, and treat the hours you have as an investment in the lawyer you are working to become.
No single route
There is no single right route into law. What matters more than your background or your path is preparation, self-awareness, and consistency. Confidence comes from doing the work, not from waiting until you feel ready.
Thank you, Salma, Saima and Egbe for your time and insights. In Part two of this guide, we focus on how to put these skills into practice, from standing out in applications to using AI responsibly and marketing transferable skills. You can watch the full webinar now on YouTube.