LCN Blogs

We've got a crack team of bloggers reporting back from the front line of legal study and work. You'll hear straight from the horses' mouths how they juggle their studies, job search, work, finances and social life. You can save blogs to your MyLCN account by clicking the 'Bookmark' button on the blogs page.

Olivia Atkinson

Hi I'm Olivia and I'm a future trainee solicitor at Boyes Turner. I am an English and GDL graduate, and am currently studying the LPC LLM with the University of Law in Reading. This summer, I joined the JLD BB&O Committee as regional representative for Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, and, in my spare time, I co-host a podcast for almost-lawyers! Through this blog I hope to provide a supportive and understanding voice to encourage and guide my potential future colleagues through this competitive field.

Latest post:

Lockdown 3.0 – deep breath everyone...

Olivia Atkinson

We are all disappointed to be starting the first month of a fresh new year with a third lockdown. The government’s guidance does, however, allow us to venture out once a day to complete one form of exercise. In this blog, I want to highlight some of the ways you can make the most of this daily break outside and, at the same time, continue rocking your legal journey!

Bethany Barrett

Hi! I'm Bethany, a future trainee solicitor at Addleshaw Goddard and a third-year student at the University of Bristol. Through this blog, I hope to share my experiences and give a voice to those students wanting to work outside of London (it isn't always for everyone, you know!). You can find out more about me, my writing and my legal journey through Twitter or Instagram (@bethanyblaw).

Latest post:

Video interviews – three top tips

Bethany Barrett

Hooray! You made it through the initial culling post-application form submission and maybe even the psychometric testing too. Up next is the video interview. This is the first time the firm will actually see your face! Here are my three top tips on how to tackle this tricky stage.

Max Alexander-Jones

Hello, I'm Max and I am currently a second-year law student at the University of Warwick. I joined LawCareers.Net as a blogger to help share my experiences with other aspiring solicitors so that you can learn from my mistakes (and hopefully successes!). Hopefully, whatever stage you are at, you can find a benefit through reading my blog and I look forward to receiving your opinion on my articles.

Latest post:

Commercial negotiation competitions

Max Alexander-Jones

In this post I will share my experience with commercial negotiation competitions and explain why I would wholeheartedly recommend them.

Harriet Herbert

Hi! I’m Harriet, an international relations graduate from the University of Birmingham and a part-time PGDL student at BPP Bristol. By documenting my journey as an LGBT aspiring solicitor, this blog aims to empower readers to stay true to their authentic selves and harness their USPs in pursuit of their professional goals. Beyond all things legal, I hope to share my interests in the energy sector, emerging technology and volunteering.

Latest post:

New year, new resolutions

Harriet Herbert

Law students and aspiring lawyers' life paths can easily become overcomplicated throughout the year, as you tackle applications and exams (among other things). It's important for individuals dealing with such workloads to slow down and take stock to stay confident, motivated and avoid burnout.

Neide Lemos

Hello, I’m Neide, an aspiring solicitor. I recently graduated from the University of the West of England and am currently in my first year of studying the LPC part-time at BPP University, Bristol. I am also an investment consultant at an award-winning investment company, Hargreaves Lansdown. Follow this blog, as I share my tips and document my journey into the legal world!

Latest post:

New year, new legal read

If you’re about to start a law degree, want a good starting point in the field or simply want something new to read, then pick up a law-themed book. Read on for a lighter selection than what you might find on your university’s reading list but perhaps some of the most relatable, gripping reads in the legal field.

Indiya Kainth

I am an aspiring solicitor, currently working as a paralegal at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham and the Legal Practice Course at The University of Law. Within this blog, I share my experience around conquering poor health, interviews and advice on alternative routes into the profession.

Latest post:

Working from home – a blessing or a curse?

Working from the comfort of your home, while may seem like a blessing in one of the most challenging years of our time, can very easily become a curse. The reality is, there is a fine line between ‘working from home’ and ‘living at work’. In my experience, I’ve found it extremely easy for work to consume my home life. It seems that the legal profession is embracing this change and that a return to office life as we know it is unlikely for the near and distant future. Therefore, it’s important that we all find a way to make working from home work for us.

Juliet

Hi! I’m Juliet, and I will be entering my second year studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Oxford in October 2019. I’ll be blogging about my experiences finding out about the legal profession, and also about how politics, economics and current events relate to the law.

Latest post:

The market for legal services: an economist's nightmare?

Economists’ ideal market – known as ‘perfect competition’ – would operate something like a large town square full of fruit and vegetable stalls. Prices would be clearly visible to consumers and one stall’s products would be very similar to the next, making it unlikely that one seller would set a higher price than their neighbour.

Harry Clark

I'm Harry a future trainee solicitor at Baker McKenzie, content writer and producer of resources for aspiring lawyers. I host the podcast ‘More From Law’ on Spotify and iTunes and author resources for aspiring lawyers on Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube (@harryclarklaw). In this blog, gain an insight into everything commercial awareness and how to be an exceptional candidate!

Latest post:

Four common commercial awareness interview questions and how to answer them

As explored in other articles, recruiters will likely seek to directly test your commercial awareness throughout applications and interview stages. Here are four common commercial awareness interview questions and some tips for answering them!

Christianah B

Hello! I’m Chrissy. I am an undergraduate student studying my LLB at a London university. I will be publishing blogs and vlogs with a personal and academic account of what it means to study law, while sharing tips on how to make the most of your experience at university.

Latest post:

To quarantine and chill or not?

As universities and schools close and students are revising from home to stop the spread of coronavirus, you might be wondering how you can stay sane during quarantine. Revising from home can be challenging, especially if you’re used to the library shift routine, not to mention how distracting your family members, housemates or even your fridge can be. Here are some tips on how to stay sane and productive during quarantine.

Irina M

After two years of studying law at university, while gaining legal work experience in London, working in legal tech and volunteering, I am ready to embark on my final year and capture the ups and downs here on my blog!

Latest post:

CMA prepares to assert its role post-Brexit

The Competition and Markets Authority is the main UK regulator of merger control, competition law and consumer law, and it now finds itself in an interesting and novel position

Chantal Elian

I’m Chantal and I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Leicester studying English and History, entering the final year of my degree! I am beginning my applications to undertake the GDL after graduating and working towards gaining a training contract in the near future. I am keen to help other non-law students and hope that I can achieve this by sharing my experience whilst navigating the legal world without a law degree!

Latest post:

A checklist for your final year as a non-law student

The final year of your non-law degree is quite a significant year as you start planning your future. It is an exciting and busy time so it is important to find a way (eg, a checklist) to ensure that you don’t miss anything.

Joe Defries

I’m a first-year LLB student at the University of Bristol interested in commercial law and how technology is disrupting the legal profession. I maintain commercial awareness through reading the FT, listening to podcasts and running my own small business. In this blog, I’ll be discussing all aspects of my degree from the very start, with the occasional post relating to a current debate.

Latest post:

How can first-year law students keep busy during the COVID-19 pandemic?

In this article I’ll discuss how first-year law students can stay busy and productive during this unprecedented time. Self-isolation and a national lockdown has caused immense disruption for students, but there are still things we can be doing to make the most of our time.

Blessing Mukosha Park

Blessing is a BPTC graduate from The City Law School and former Director of the School Exclusion Project. She is author of BLESSING AT THE BAR, the blog for aspiring barristers, and is also a vlogger for LCN. She has published work on youth violence, County Lines and racial discrimination in policing and the criminal justice system and plans to practice public and property law at the Bar.

Latest post:

How to research practice areas

Blessing Mukosha Park

When applying for pupillage it is necessary to know which areas of law you want to focus your applications on. Each chambers has different core practice areas that their barristers take instructions in. Although once inside a chambers, your practice can take a number of different directions, it is still necessary to be aware of your principal target areas.

Matthew Dow

Hello! I am Matt, I completed my undergraduate in History and Politics at Oxford in 2014. I have pivoted to law after spending the last few years working in mobile marketing for King, the makers of Candy Crush. I have just finished the GDL and LLB extension at the University of Law, Bloomsbury. Finding a legal role is a meandering experience. I am keen to pass on any lessons learned.

Latest post:

Career changing – a personal update

As a mature candidate, I often read advice that is targeted towards aspiring student applicants and question to what extent such guidance still applies to my situation. I also know numerous other career changers who share similar concerns about making the transition into law.

Kat C-W

Hello! I’m currently studying at University of Sheffield, although I have also studied law with the Open University so I will be imparting some distance learning insight too. I’m figuring out university as a mature student and will be sharing some of my experiences juggling life, work and education.

Latest post:

The law of luxury brands

Something I have been trying to do more of lately is align the type of law I want to do with the kinds of things that interest me in life. One of these is luxury fashion. Luxury brands can be found as clients of many major law firms, as well as in more private-client-focused outfits.

Violet

Hi I’m Violet, and I will be a final-year English & French student from September. Although I’m a non-law student, I am looking to pursue a career in law after graduating. I love writing – so blogging is the ideal way for me to get across my experience of the legal world from a non-law perspective, as well as other general musings that I have about the law!

Latest post:

How is the changing UK high street affecting law firms?

Almost every day there seems to be another headline about the demise of the high street. In the past few years, several clothing and restaurant chains have gone into administration and, with high street retailers facing high rents, low footfall and the ever-increasing use of online shopping, the future isn't looking promising.

Sian

Hi, I’m Sian; a second year Law student at UCL. With one year of my degree completed I am finally starting to find my feet within the field of Law and I’m excited to use this blog to share my highs, lows and everything in between as I continue my degree and get to grips with the hectic legal world.

Latest post:

Baby steps towards commercial awareness

As application season draws closer, the dreaded phrase ‘commercial awareness’ beings to haunt law students. In this post, I set out my top tips for breaking down your quest for awareness in order to make understanding commercial events a lot less daunting.

Ibrahim Ilyas

Hello! I'm Ibrahim, aspiring barrister and I've just completed the LLB at Birmingham City University. I'll be studying the Bar Professional Training Course LLM at the University of Law (Birmingham) in September 2019. After undertaking a range of both legal and non-legal experiences, I am keen to share with you my journey to a career at the Bar and all that it entails. I invite you to join me as we navigate through all the conundrums that is part of pursuing a career as a barrister, and more. Watch this space!

Latest post:

BPTC scholarship advice

Candidates applying for the Inns of Court BPTC scholarships can take a number of steps to prepare for the application and interview process. This guide provides personal insight on approaching the deadline for the scholarship application form.

Charlotte Hughes

I graduated from the University of Reading in 2015 and studied the BPTC at the University of Law graduating in 2017 with a Very Competent. I am currently undertaking my pupillage at East Anglian Chambers primarily in criminal law.

Latest post:

Things to do between the BPTC and gaining pupillage

Charlotte Hughes

As the pupillage gateway closes for another year, those who were unsuccessful face a long wait before the application window opens again.

Paris Bradley

I am a mature student, undertaking an undergraduate law degree at a small university in the south. I am also a single mother to two fabulous children. I have just completed my first year and am eagerly awaiting the start of second year. This time I will be armed with a better idea of how to tackle common law student issues; something I will be sharing on here.

Latest post:

The time has come for me to leave LCN blogging. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience and a career-building opportunity. Here are my final thoughts for all potential and current law students.

Solinda Tracy

Hi, my name is Solinda. I graduated from the University West of England in 2017 and I am currently studying the LPC part-time at the University of Law. I am also full time Private Client Paralegal at an award-Winning national consumer law firm.

Latest post:

Identifying your side hustle

Even though working in the legal sector offers you the chance to have a great salary, it is important to spend time on other interests besides the law. Whether it’s selling specific items, doing odd jobs or expanding your social media presence, a side hustle can be a great way to generate multiple streams of income.