Which type of future lawyer are you?

Reading time: six minutes

This article has been produced in collaboration with BARBRI.

Different journeys. Same destination. That’s the idea behind BARBRI’s new legal career personality quiz and it’s something every aspiring lawyer should hear. There’s no one type of person who makes it in law. Whether you’re a careful planner, a big-picture thinker or still figuring it all out, your path to qualification can reflect who you are and how you work best.

Having worked in legal education and training for more than 20 years, and as someone who entered the legal profession from a non-law background, I know firsthand how important it is to find a route and role that works for you. In this article, I’ll share how understanding your personality and mindset can help to shape your next steps and why there’s no single definition of what a ‘future lawyer’ looks like.

Why personality matters more than you think

The legal profession has changed significantly over the past few years. With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), qualification is now more accessible, flexible and inclusive. Whether you’ve got a law degree or not, the barriers that once limited how (and who) could become a solicitor are being dismantled.

That means there’s room for different types of thinkers, including the:

• ambitious;
• strategic; and
• curious.

Understanding how you work best – that is, how you like to plan, learn and make decisions can help you to:

• choose the kind of organisation and role that suits you;
• decide how and when to study for the SQE;
• shape your work experience around your strengths; and
• avoid burnout by following a path aligned to your personality.

That’s exactly the thinking behind BARBRI’s new personality quiz – it’s a bit of fun, but also a genuinely helpful tool for anyone still finding their feet in law.

Enter the quiz to find out your personality type. BARBRI then curates a step-by-step tailored career plan to help you to achieve your goals based on your legal career personality. There are also prizes available for each category!

Meet the three profiles: which one are you?

BARBRI’s legal career quiz maps aspiring solicitors to three broad personality types. These aren’t rigid labels but starting points – a way to better understand how you might navigate the legal world.

The climber

You’re ambitious, confident and focused on moving forward fast. You may already be researching firms, preparing for SQE1 or planning your application timeline. You like momentum and clear milestones.

So, what should you focus on next?

Here are some practical ways to keep your pace high and channel your energy effectively:

• Explore BARBRI’s Flexible SQE1 Prep Course to stay on track with your studies.
• Use the summer to gain extra experience through virtual internships or online events.
• Plan your qualifying work experience (QWE) now, so you're ready when the time comes.

The strategist

You like to plan, research and make thoughtful decisions. You might already have a spreadsheet or tracker on the go and you want to feel fully informed before you take your next step. So, what should you focus on next?

Practical ways to stay in control while building momentum include:

• attending firm open days and webinars to explore your options and gather insights;
• testing the waters with different QWE environments – like in-house teams or law clinics; and
• starting with BARBRI’s Foundations in Law course to build confidence before diving into SQE1 prep.

The explorer

You’re curious, open-minded and not in a rush – and that’s a strength. You might be coming from a non-law degree or just starting to explore legal careers. You value flexibility, guidance and space to figure things out.

So, what should you focus on next?

Here are a few simple ways to explore law at your own pace: 

• read practice area explainers, firm and company profiles and salary guides to discover what sparks your interest;

• try out informal experience through mooting, volunteering or legal podcasts; and

• sign up for BARBRI’s free HeadStart portal for tailored resources, CV support and legal career tips.

Want more resources and tips? Complete the personality quiz and BARBRI will guide you through a tailored career plan step by step.

How the SQE supports different journeys

One of the biggest shifts the SQE has brought is flexibility and I think it’s great for aspiring lawyers with different working styles, timelines and backgrounds. Whether you’re a climber, a strategist or an explorer, the route to qualification can now flex around your needs.

There are several ways the SQE supports different journeys:

• There’s no law degree required: non-law graduates can go straight into SQE prep without the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) conversion course.
• Flexible study is available: there are options of choosing full time, part time or online learning to suit your lifestyle.
• You can build QWE your way: it’s possible to gain experience with up to four organisations, including law firms, charities, in-house legal teams or university clinics.
• It’s a more cost-effective option: with fewer compulsory stages than the PGDL and Legal Practice Course (LPC) model, the SQE can make the process more accessible.

In short, the SQE is designed to let you shape your own legal journey, whether you’re ready to move fast, want to plan carefully or need time to explore your options. The flexibility of the SQE has opened up new possibilities, replacing previous routes with something far more adaptable.

Check out my LCN Says to find out more about how the SQE has changed routes into law.

It all starts with one small step

The most inspiring part of my job is hearing how students from all backgrounds have made law work for them. Some started their legal career after changing degrees, some returned to study after spending some time in different industries and others are training while working full time. The common thread? They found a route that worked for them.

Small steps often lead to big changes, for example:

• a conversation at a careers fair;
• one networking email; or
• a blog that made law feel achievable.

For many, taking a quiz like this can be the first step in thinking seriously about law – not just whether it’s possible, but also how they might actually do it. You’ll also be able to learn more about other candidates, their legal personality types and how they’ve achieved their career goals.

Take the quiz

So, whether you’re a climber, a strategist or an explorer, or somewhere in between, understanding your own approach can help you to build a legal journey that works to your strengths and goals.

Take BARBRI’s free personality quiz to discover your legal career style and be in with a chance of winning an SQE prep course worth up to £3,299.

Want more insights? You can also read my previous Feature on why non-law graduates make great lawyers, which covers the skills that you most probably already have and how to make them work in a legal setting.

In my experience, there’s no one path into law and no single way to succeed once you’re in it. What matters most is understanding how you work, what motivates you and being honest about the kind of support or structure you might need along the way. That self-awareness isn’t just helpful for choosing a route into the profession – it’s something that will serve you again and again throughout your legal career.

Rob Dudley has over 22 years’ experience in legal education and training. Rob holds a BA (Hons), an LLB (Hons) and PG Dip Law from The College of Law, London along with a postgraduate certificate in Career Development. He’s a member of the Institute of Student Employers, the International Bar Association and a representative for the European Lawyer’s Association.

BARBRI is a legal educator specialising in innovative technology to help law students and lawyers succeed in achieving their legal qualification. Their unique courses can prepare you for the SQE through to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales, as well as offering dual-qualification opportunities to become an attorney in New York or California. BARBRI has maintained the trust of legal students for over 50 years, helping more than 1.4 million law students and lawyers succeed in legal exams across the globe.