LAW CAREERS SEMINARS

for second-year studentsNo. 1, 15th November 2011

Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service

The slides from this presentation are available atwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

SEMINAR 1 CHOICES AND CAREER

PATHS• What are the options open to law

graduates?• Why your second year is the most

important• Outline of career paths in the legal

profession• Professional training courses and funding• What to do and when to do it

SEMINAR 2 A TASTE OF THE WORLD OF

WORK• Vacation work - inc. solicitors’ summer

schemes; mini-pupillages• What past Law graduates from Kent

have gone on to - and how they can help you

• What else can you do with a law degree?

• Postgraduate academic study (a brief look)

SEMINAR 3 MAKING EFFECTIVE

APPLICATIONS

• What employers look for in applications – with particular reference to solicitors’ vacation schemes and mini-pupillages

• How to prepare a CV and covering letter• How to complete an application form• What to expect at interview

SEMINAR 1 - MAKING CHOICES

• What are the options open to law graduates?

• Outline of career paths in the legal profession

• Professional training courses and funding• Why your second year is the most

important• What to do and when to do it

WORKINGAND

STUDYING

EMPLOYMENT(PERMANENT

OR TEMPORARY)PROFESSIONALLEGAL

STUDIES

OTHERS

TIMEOUT

FURTHERACADEMIC

STUDY

YOUR CHOICES

35%

4%

33%

11%

6%

6%

SOME CAREER PATHS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

• Solicitor• Barrister• Legal executive• Paralegal• Licensed conveyancer

For a detailed look at these and other roles in law, see www.prospects.ac.uk/law_sector.htm

MAKING DECISIONS

Both require:• Proven intellectual ability• Excellent communication skills• Analytical skills• Organisational skills• Commercial awareness• Determination and commitment

Solicitor or barrister?

WHAT DO LAWYERS DO?

SOLICITORS• Work directly with clients

to advise them on a wide range of legal matters

• Prepare cases – researching, drafting etc

• Work in firms, business and public sector organisations

• Need good interpersonal and organisational skills

BARRISTERS• Work as independent,

specialist legal advisers and advocates

• Most are self-employed but work together in sets of chambers

• Others work in solicitors’ firms, business and public sector organisations

• Need strong presentation and intellectual skills

THE PROS AND CONS …

• SOLICITORS HAVE:• A more structured career• Greater security• Greater involvement with

clients and colleaguesand need• Commitment to a firm

and its culture• Team working skills• Sociability; adaptability;

willingness to conform

BARRISTERS HAVE:• Greater independence• Greater variety• Prestige

and need• Greater personal confidence• A willingness to take risks• High-level presentational

skills• Flexibility and tolerance of

stress

BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER

(in a nutshell)

(The Vocational Stage)

TRAINING CONTRACT

ORPUPILLAGE(Practical

Experience)

QUALIFY!

LPC or BPTC

LAW DEGREE/GDL(the Academic

Stage)

BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTERSome figures:

8098LPC

PLACES

1793BPTC

PLACES

4874TRAINING

CONTRACTS

460PUPILLAGES

13433Law grads

+c6000

GDL grads

Solicitors

Barristers

THE LPC and BPTC

• The “Vocational Stage” of training• Skills-focused: preparation for practice• Coursework, practical assessments and written

exams• Last for one academic year • Available throughout England & Wales• Must have the 7 exemption subjects for entry• Apply at the beginning of your final year• Fees range from approx. £7500 to £16000

HOW DO STUDENTS FUND THEIR LAW COURSES?

Funding Source LPC BVC

Self/Parents 38% 40%

Sponsorships 26% -

Inns' Scholarships - 28%

Loans 32% 26%

Grants/Bursaries 3% 6%

HOW MUCH COULD YOU EARN?

• Current Law Society minimum salary: £18,590 for trainees in central London and £16,650 for those in other parts of England and Wales

• Trainee salaries in City firms c£38-39K (more in US firms – up to £50K!))

• Newly-qualified salaries typically around £60K (but some US firms offer £90K+)

• All pupillages are funded to a minimum level of £6K for 6 months

• Commercial & Chancery sets may offer £25-40K for 12 months - some offer £60K!)

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW

• Working hard and aiming for a good degree!• Thinking about your options• Researching different careers and employers• Thinking about what you have to offer• Getting vacation work experience• Noting down deadlines for vac work, training

contract, pupillage and course applications

USEFUL INFORMATION SOURCES

• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteslaw.htm

• Target Law/Target Work Experience Law• The Training Contract & Pupillage

Handbook• Prospects Law• Lawyer 2B magazine

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

For “A Taste of the World of Work”

Careers Advisory ServiceOpening hours: 9am - 5pmMonday - Friday

The slides from this presentation are available atwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm