So you want to be a lawyer?
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Do you know what working as a lawyer actually involves? And are you sure of the steps you have to take to qualify as a solicitor or barrister?
So you want to be a lawyer? Do you know what working as a lawyer actually involves? And are you sure of the steps you have to take to qualify as a solicitor or barrister? If not, then read on because this, the fourth edition of The Lawyer Guide to a Career in Law, contains all you need to know about securing your dream job in the legal profession.
Solicitor or barrister?
In England and Wales the legal profession is split into two: solicitors and barristers. The term lawyer captures both. Traditionally, the type of work handled by solicitors and barristers was very distinct. Solicitors were always the first point of contact for clients, while barristers represented the clients in court.
These days, however, the work of solicitors and barristers is becoming more difficult to distinguish, with some solicitors being permitted to stand up in court. Some law firms, such as Eversheds and Herbert Smith, now even have their own in-house barristers chambers.
You need to decide at quite an early stage which profession you want to join, because although both solicitors and barristers need to complete either a law degree or conversion course, the routes to qualification diverge following the academic stage. Aspiring solicitors have to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a two-year period of work-based learning known as a training contract. In contrast, those who want to become barristers must take the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) followed by a year-long apprenticeship at one or more barristers chambers, known as a pupillage.
The legal profession: facts and fictions
There are a number of misunderstandings surrounding the legal profession. For instance, when students are asked why they want to become lawyers they often say they want to help people. But this is simply not always the reality, especially in the commercial arena where the clients are typically large, faceless corporations. Also, lawyers are not only called in when things go wrong: legal advice is needed when two multinational companies merge, or on something as simple as buying a house.
Working as a lawyer is also not as glamorous as the media might suggest. Whats more, with the exception of the City, where salaries for newly qualified solicitors can reach in excess of 90,000, the pay is not always as high as you might think. Indeed, some firms only pay their trainees the minimum salary set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of 18,420.
Areas of expertise
Most peoples knowledge of what solicitors do is usually associated with the work handled by high street firms, such as advising on the purchase of a new house or on a divorce, or representing someone being prosecuted for a crime.
However, solicitors work in a variety of firms, ranging from two-partner niche practices to those with hundreds of partners and offices in several different countries. They also specialise in many different areas of law. Some are also employed by companies or charities, while others work for the Government. These individuals are known as in-house lawyers, while those who work in a law firm are known as private practice solicitors.
Lawyer 2B and The Lawyer (www.thelawyer.com) focus on commercial law. This guide is, therefore, aimed mainly at those who want to work as business lawyers.
Commercial lawyers work is split into different areas, such as banking, corporate, employment, litigation and media and sport. As a corporate lawyer you may be advising on a multibillion-pound, headline-grabbing deal, such as the recent takeover of supermarket chain Somerfield by the Co-op. As a sports and media lawyer you could act for a world-famous footballer or rock star.
Barriers to entry
Wherever you are heading the City, a high street practice, a sleepy market town or the bar the route to qualification is lengthy and hard work. Once you have completed your A-levels you need to study for at least another four years, and then spend an extra two years as a trainee before you can receive your practising certificate. Following qualification it takes a minimum of six years to be promoted into a partnership.
The importance of a stellar academic record cannot be stressed enough. A number of law schools at top universities insist on three A grades and the minimum requirement for securing a training contract at a reputable commercial law firm is typically a 2:1 degree.
Historically, City law firms were notorious for their bias towards graduates from Oxford and Cambridge universities. Thankfully, nowadays firms are making a concerted effort to cast their nets wider. Nevertheless, some snobbery still exists. And with some top City firms receiving on average more than 2,000 applications for around 50 training contracts, they can be as fussy as they like. So if you do not make the grade, then getting beyond the dreaded rejection letter is unlikely.
Firms are not just after the most academically able. After all, what is the point in hiring someone with three A grades and a first-class degree in astrophysics if their knees turn to jelly when interacting with clients? Firms want candidates with additional qualities, such as good interpersonal skills, a second language and work experience. You must also be flexible and able to deal with a high and unpredictable workload.
Another obstacle is the cost of qualifying. A typical student accumulates as much as 20,000 of debt while studying for a degree. And do not forget that most universities now charge 3,000 per year in tuition fees.
Finally, there are the fees for the postgraduate courses, the Graduate Diploma in Law, the LPC and the BVC, which can be as much as 7,000, 10,000 and 12,000 respectively. Thankfully, though, those who secure training contracts with large commercial firms receive sponsorship and will not have to worry about paying for such fees themselves.
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But do you know what working as a lawyer actually involves? And are you sure of the steps you have to take to qualify as a solicitor or barrister?
Readers' comments (239)
Ghislaine | 12-Jul-2009 12:34 pm
Hi I'm 14 years old and want to be a lawyer. I would just like to distinguish everything a barrister does, and everything a solicitor does. Thank you.
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Anonymous | 14-Aug-2009 1:52 pm
Hi i'm 15 nearly 16 and am worry because i have no idea about what i want to be, i was considered law as it seems intresting but i dont know if its right for me, this page helped as t explained a lot but how can i be sure of what i want to do and ifg i'm right for the job? please help
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Anonymous | 14-Aug-2009 10:43 pm
Hi i am 16 and i am on a apprentership proggrame in bussiness adminstartion. I thought harder in what I want in life and came to a conclusion to have a career in the law feild. I was intrested in law since i was a child. I was thinking of finishing my apprentership course which will take about maxinmum 3 years and then i would want to do A levels GCSE law in colij. Then after that I would like to go to university and get a degree and get graduated in law. But the problem is if i dont get Grade C in my maths and english would that be a problem. What would I have to do ? Thank you
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Anonymous | 15-Aug-2009 10:32 pm
If you are considering becoming a lawyer I would ask yourself 2 important questions first:
1) Am I capable of getting good A Level Results/A good degree from a good university?
2) I am prepared to work very hard and face a possible large number of rejections before securing the career I want? If no then law isnt for you. Sorry but thats just the way it works.
If yes then I would only suggest working hard towards your exams and getting into a good university. If you decided at this point law isnt for you then you will still come out with a great degree and if you still want to continue you will be in the best poistion possible. I didnt know for sure if I wanted to be a solicitor until I undertook a vacation scheme and loved the work I did, its just a risk you have to take with a career like this that does start so early.
As long as your prepared for a long road ahead I would say go for it!
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Anonymous | 15-Aug-2009 10:32 pm
If you are considering becoming a lawyer I would ask yourself 2 important questions first:
1) Am I capable of getting good A Level Results/A good degree from a good university?
2) I am prepared to work very hard and face a possible large number of rejections before securing the career I want? If no then law isnt for you. Sorry but thats just the way it works.
If yes then I would only suggest working hard towards your exams and getting into a good university. If you decided at this point law isnt for you then you will still come out with a great degree and if you still want to continue you will be in the best poistion possible. I didnt know for sure if I wanted to be a solicitor until I undertook a vacation scheme and loved the work I did, its just a risk you have to take with a career like this that does start so early.
As long as your prepared for a long road ahead I would say go for it!
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Anonymous | 4-Sep-2009 7:57 am
hi im only thirteen but we take opsoins this im not sure what to do. Because its a long road ahead to being a lawer and i am a bit impationt and also im not shaw if i would make the grade but i am intrested in law and would love to be a lawer what should i do.
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Anonymous | 6-Sep-2009 6:19 pm
hi, i am 14 years of age and would really love to be a lawyer but i am not sure if i can get the grades
i have asked people who i no wot they think about law and some say it is very boring and VERY hard so i dont no wot to do?
p.s. if i wont to be a lawyer wot subjects should i take for a level ?
would i need english
THANK YOU
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Anonymous | 7-Sep-2009 5:38 pm
Hello all,
I've noticed a few comments on this blog and thought it would be a good idea to provide you with answers to your questions.
From September onwards I will be in my third year of studying law. I have 3A's at A-level and am predicted of graduating with a 1st next year.
To have a career in Law is not an easy thing. I recall one of the posts above saying "i am a bit impatient". It will be tough if you cannot slug out the hard days and hard times - e.g. the stressful amount of workload and the benefits that you will eventually (provided you make it) have in a career in law. Please bare in mind that you are only 13 right now - your tolerance and patience to everything will grow and you will develop over time. I would advise that you work hard and give 100% in anything you do. This applies not just to having a career in law but also to any occupation you wish for in the future. It is a long route to be a lawyer (3 years degree, LPC (Legal Practicing Course), 2 years training contract = finally qualified 6 years later if you wish to be a solicitor).
To Anonymous 6th Sept 2009 (14 years old), here is an answer to your questions.
- Grades are important in law. For GCSE's you must have A-C grades.A-levels you need ABB minimum. Graduating you need 2.1. If you do not get these grades then the process will be much harder. Grades are not everything in law as you need to be a well rounded person as well. However,they do form a bulk of the decision. Unless you have mitigating circumstances that you can explain, then firms will not agree to train you. This means you cannot qualify as a solicitor (assuming thats the route you wish to go into).
Perhaps its better if you seek opinions/advise from those are succesful already in a career in law/ or alternatively law students. I'm not sure where you're seeking your information from regarding itbeing "boring" - its different for everyone. If you don't enjoy law then you shouldnt do it. I find it to be fascinating,challenging and brilliant to learn and study. Law applies to every part of your life. In regards to it being "VERY hard" you are correct on that. It is very hard - however, if your'e able to put in the hours and work your butt of then you can succeed.
For A-level it would be advisable to take the following subjects
- History (information, reading, essay skills , formulating opinions, arguments).
- Economics (learning about the climate, market etc)
- RE (arguments you learn in ethics/philosophy apply to law and are very useful).
- English Lit/Lang (just for general grammer).
- Maths (keep your brain buzzing with all those big transactions you may have to do in the future!).
English is not compulsory to take as an A-level, and if the other options are unavailable then I would recommend you take it. Steer clear from art/drama/photography.
I hope the above information provides you with a bit more of an insight.
Legal regards,
Lawstudentstobe21!
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Anonymous | 9-Sep-2009 0:35 am
Ma teacher say im to look up what is a Lawyer but im not sure i want to be it anymore
can u help me
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Anonymous | 10-Sep-2009 6:37 pm
I've taken History, English, Biology and Art at AS-level, and I plan on dropping Art for my A2's. I have some work experience, and plan on doing more, and I got 7A's, 3B's and a C in my GCSE's. My teachers have said that I should be able to make all A grades this year if I keep up my current standard, but I worry that I will not be considered by top Universities as one of my choices was art. Please help.
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