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LAW CAREERS SEMINARS

LAW CAREERS SEMINARS. for second-year students No. 1, 15th November 2011. Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service. The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm . SEMINAR 1 CHOICES AND CAREER PATHS. What are the options open to law graduates?

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LAW CAREERS SEMINARS

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  1. LAW CAREERS SEMINARS for second-year students No. 1, 15th November 2011 Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. EMPLOYMENT (PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY) PROFESSIONAL LEGAL STUDIES 35% 33% TIME OUT YOUR CHOICES 4% WORKING AND STUDYING OTHERS FURTHER ACADEMIC STUDY 11% 6% 6%

  7. 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

  8. MAKING DECISIONS Solicitor or barrister? Both require: • Proven intellectual ability • Excellent communication skills • Analytical skills • Organisational skills • Commercial awareness • Determination and commitment

  9. 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 WHAT DO LAWYERS DO?

  10. SOLICITORS HAVE: A more structured career Greater security Greater involvement with clients and colleagues and 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 THE PROS AND CONS …

  11. BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER(in a nutshell) LPCor BPTC LAW DEGREE/GDL (the Academic Stage) QUALIFY! (The Vocational Stage) TRAINING CONTRACT OR PUPILLAGE (Practical Experience)

  12. BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTERSome figures: Solicitors 4874 TRAINING CONTRACTS 8098 LPC PLACES 13433 Law grads + c6000 GDL grads 1793 BPTC PLACES 460 PUPILLAGES Barristers

  13. 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

  14. HOW DO STUDENTS FUND THEIR LAW COURSES?

  15. 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!)

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! For “A Taste of the World of Work” Careers Advisory Service Opening hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

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