Graduate Job Guide: Legal

The legal industry has enjoyed a large amount of publicity, mainly in the form of television shows dedicated to all things law related being widely viewed. While these shows only show the dramatic and sensational aspects of the law, it does give one some idea of what the legal profession is about.

If you choose a career in the law, you could end up working for one of the largest UK law firms, such as Clifford Chance, Lovell’s or Eversheds.

Industry Overview:

The legal industry spans everything from the high profile criminal cases you see in those television shows, to corporate law, finance and property law, and even human rights.

There are typically two types of legal practitioners – solicitors/lawyers, who handle mainly out of court legal issues, and barristers/advocates, who ply their trade in the courtrooms, wearing wigs and either prosecuting or defending clients. These days, the lines have blurred a little, and sometimes you will find solicitors in court, although barristers rarely venture out of the hallowed halls of the higher courts.

There are a large number of opportunities in supportive roles too, such as paralegals and legal secretaries, all of whom work in the legal profession, although in a more administrative role, and without necessarily requiring formal training.

Scope for employment in the profession ranges from government to private clients, and vary from employment within a company, a legal practice, or in your own practice.

Whether it’s dealing with contractual law, or helping to save the world, legal practitioners permeate every level of society, and with law being of international concern, graduates have global opportunities.

Requirements:

The law requires an agile mind, with a highly analytical bent, to decipher and interpret sometimes tricky legal statutes. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal are a prerequisite, and the law is well suited to those with strong personalities.

It’s a career that demands dedication, hard work, and perfectionism, and since your clients’ futures will be in your hands, it is a high pressure and demanding profession, but one that offers great rewards, both on a personal and financial level.

It is imperative to pursue and attain a degree in law in order to practice, although graduates with other degrees may complete a year long CPE, or common professional exam, which is an abridged and condensed form of a law degree, in order to qualify.

Solicitors follow this degree with an LPC, or Legal Practice Course, and barristers with a BVC, or Bar Vocational Course, both of which will be studied at a law college.

Studying law is certainly not a cheap option, with the CPE and LPV courses each costing in the region of £10,000, although worthy candidates may seek sponsorship for a portion of their study costs with one of the larger firms.

Studies in law are typically followed by a two year period of employment in a law firm, known as a training contract, which may help pay for studies, and guarantees employment on graduation, although you will be tied to a particular firm for a pre-defined time period.

In short, training for a career in the legal profession is an arduous and expensive process, but it guarantees that the successful graduates join an elite group, ensuring a high level of job security, and good employment prospects.

Positions:

The legal profession enjoys minimum salaries set by the law society, so graduates are guaranteed a starting salary of £15,820 in outlying areas, and £17,660 in Central London, so for graduates, there is no question of earnings as a trainee entrant to the market.

Increases in salaries continue with qualification and promotion, with partners in top firms earning millions of pounds a year. Definitely worth all those years of study!

Your employment options in the field are to become a solicitor working for a law firm, to work for a large corporation in their legal department, open your own practice, or venture into the hallowed halls of the higher courts, by becoming a barrister.

Barristers are largely self-employed, but can earn very respectable salaries, commensurate with experience, specialty and reputation, and which are comparable to solicitors.

Since the law touches every type of industry, from large multinational oil firms to banking houses, property developers to hospitals, there are employment opportunities everywhere, with a distinct possibility of success in private practice as an added incentive. Those with legal training also often find themselves in management positions within companies.

It’s also a good idea to note that because the training for a legal career is so rigorous, the number of successful graduates is relatively low; meaning competition for successful and exceptional candidates, whilst still high, may be lower than other fields.

Career Prospects:

Advancement within law firms will depend on skill, experience and talent, but individuals who display these qualities can expect a fairly rapid rise through the ranks.

Barristers who excel may be selected for the position of QC or Queens Council, and this position is one step away from becoming a judge, and then moving up through the various courts.

In regards to a private practice, it’s conceivable that a graduate may start and grow a practice within their lifetime, and in doing so, achieve high status and financial gain.