How being a career changer placed me in the best position to kickstart my legal career

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Why I chose to retrain as a lawyer

I began working in university administration aged 17 and, by my mid-20s, I was headhunted twice to serve as an executive assistant and/or office manager to senior executives. Two years on, with the Postgraduate Diploma in Law, ample legal and non-legal experience and a training contract under my belt, the fear and uncertainty I once felt about retraining as a lawyer has shifted to relief and satisfaction as I see my continued efforts come to fruition. However, a fair degree of pressure and uncertainty remains. I say this not to discourage, but to highlight the reality that the pathway to qualification is both mentally and financially demanding. But as long as you remain resilient and adaptable, doors will start to open.

I don’t have A levels and, despite my best efforts, my secondary school grades weren’t enough to study law at undergraduate level. Moreover, due to personal circumstances, my priority upon graduating from my non-law degree(s) was to secure immediate, full-time employment. With the benefit of time, maturity and an understanding of neurodiversity, I now know how to maximise my strengths and address my weaknesses. I’m even motivated to learn almost every module and can’t see myself working in any other profession!

I remain grateful to LawCareers.Net for the guidance on starting my new career. I therefore wish to give back by sharing anecdotes on how my non-legal experiences helped me secure legal experience and a training contract, in the hope that you can apply the same in your own journey.

Explore LawCareers.Net’s Non-law hub, sponsored by BARBRI, for more information about law conversion courses, maximising your non-legal experience and more.

Approaching law firm applications as a career changer

Why law?

Whether you’re applying for law school, competing for a legal scholarship or attending a legal interview, a question that’s bound to arise is why you want to become a lawyer. I’m always impressed by individuals who know from a young age that law is their calling; they aren’t driven by parental pressure, but by genuine interest.

For some, a genuine interest in law may only emerge following personal experiences, such as instructing a lawyer in a dispute that impacts them and their loved ones. Others may only discover their passion for law – an ever-changing and mentally stimulating field – when their current role no longer positively challenges them. I maintained momentum by keeping my end goal in mind; without that clarity, I would’ve found it difficult to stand out during the application process.

Why our law firm?

As a career changer, you have the advantage of reflecting on your work habits and preferences, which will influence the type of firms you apply to. I used to wonder whether I wasted my earlier years but, in fact, I’ve lived fully with the cards that life dealt me. Some law students I’ve spoken to mentioned that their applications were influenced by available vacancies or compensation packages, rather than the firm itself or a strong passion for a particular practice area. While this approach works for some, I personally prefer to focus on opportunities that align closely with my genuine interests. Everyone will have their own priorities and reasons, and you don’t have to justify them to anyone (except for the interviewing panel and maybe a family member!).

Using workplace experience to excel

Interview questions and situational judgement tests

What are all the steps you should take if you receive a private email addressed to someone else? When should you provide feedback to your boss and to what extent do you seek their permission in specific circumstances? How do you show that you’re a team player while maintaining boundaries to ensure your own workload doesn’t suffer? Answering these types of questions came naturally because I’d experienced it all; sometimes you just need to experience it to then conquer it!

Assessment centres

Aspiring lawyers know the importance of demonstrating commercial awareness in their applications and interviews. At my first ever training contract assessment centre, our groups reached an impasse during a negotiation exercise. I proposed a solution based on a similar situation from a previous role. Imagine my cheeky grin when I realised that my age and non-legal experience proved valuable! Although I wasn’t selected, that firm commended my problem-solving skills in the written feedback. I took the firm’s other comments on the chin, briefly basked in my renewed confidence and applied the same approach at subsequent assessment centres.

For more application tips, check out LawCareers.Net’s Application hub, sponsored by BPP University Law School.

Revising for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam as a career changer

If you’re a practical learner, you’ll understand the extent of my excitement on this point.

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) syllabus spans 13 to 14 subject areas of law. Did you previously work in accounts? If so, the tax modules may come naturally to you. Triaging disputes and working closely with colleagues in human resources will give you a head start on the dispute resolution and tort law modules. Have you led an event, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute due to frustration or breach of contract? Awesome, because you’re already one step ahead of your classmates in contract law.

Like many candidates, I find that my SQE studies can feel isolating at times. Despite attending in-person workshops and reaching out to lecturers via email, much of the learning, even at larger law schools, remains self-directed. My hands-on experience has shown me how the law relates to hypothetical SQE situations, which makes it easier to recall and navigate the nuances.

Visit LawCareers.Net’s SQE hub, sponsored by The University of Law, for more information about the SQE.

A final note

There may be other factors that make you apprehensive about retraining, and I appreciate that. But no, you aren’t ‘too old’ to retrain. I’ve met students in their 30s and 40s braving this exciting journey. I wouldn’t change anything about my journey into the legal profession, and I wish you the best in yours.

Want to find out more about converting to a career in law? Check out this Feature on becoming a lawyer as a career changer and read this LCN Says for five practical tips on making the transition.

Colinette Hazel is an SQE candidate and future trainee solicitor.