My experience at LawCareersNetLIVE

Reading time: two minutes

Last year, I was selected to attend LawCareersNetLIVE as a delegate in London. As an international student completing a law conversion course, I was eager to gain direct exposure to leading law firms and develop a deeper understanding of the skills they value in prospective trainees. The LawCareersNetLIVE conference provided the perfect opportunity to combine networking with practical insights into different areas of law, which is essential for my career development.

I also wanted to learn more about the practice areas I’m interested in, particularly litigation, dispute resolution, and international arbitration. With a range of workshops available across different fields of law, I could tailor the day to my interests and gain firsthand knowledge from top law firms.

The event

The event was exceptionally well organised, offering multiple opportunities for delegates to network with representatives from leading law firms. This allowed me to expand my professional network, improve my confidence and gain insights that go far beyond what can be found on a law firm’s website.

The highlight of my morning was attending the ‘How do you solve a global dispute’ workshop with Jones Day. This session challenged delegates to work through a complex dispute scenario, providing a practical introduction to high-stakes problem solving in a global context. In the afternoon, I joined ‘Anatomy of an international arbitration hearing’ with Winston & Strawn London LLP. This workshop was a rare chance to explore the structure of an arbitration hearing and gain an insider’s view of an area of law that students seldom encounter in depth.

There was also a trainee panel, which offered an honest and detailed look into life as a trainee solicitor. The panellists shared their journeys through the application process, offering tips on how to stand out and how to handle the challenges of the role. Their practical advice and personal stories helped me to better understand what law firms expect from future trainees.

My journey post-event

Attending LawCareersNetLIVE has been a vital step in my legal journey. It not only strengthened my interest in dispute resolution and arbitration, but also helped me to develop a clear strategy for my training contract applications. Speaking directly with representatives from top firms gave me valuable insights into their cultures, expectations and the commercial awareness needed to succeed in the industry.

I highly recommend LawCareersNetLIVE to any aspiring trainee. It offers a unique platform to learn, connect and refine your career ambitions, while providing a level of exposure that’s rarely available to students. For me, it was an experience that’s already proven instrumental in shaping my next steps as I pursue training contracts with top international law firms.

Jimena Almudena Izquierdo Rodríguez is an aspiring solicitor.