The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law

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The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law sponsored by The University of Law

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Your non-law student hub

You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer - visit LCN's non-law student hub!

Your non-law student hub

Education hub

Find your undergraduate or postgraduate law course

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Discover your options

Find out about the various legal apprenticeships on offer

Kickstart your career in law

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The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Your essential first step to a career in law

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Key law career questions

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about a career in the legal sector

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Key law career deadlines

Discover several key events and deadlines that you need to diarise

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Reality check

Without wanting to detract from the exciting and challenging legal career on offer, here are some things to bear in mind

Beginner's Guide

First steps checklist

Here's what you can do even before you start university

First-year checklist

Find out what you should be doing in your first year at university as a law or non-law student

Meet the Lawyer

Read how today's lawyers went from student to qualified lawyer

Legal career paths

Take a look at our simple career timetable

Solicitor versus barrister

What's the difference and which career would suit you? Use this guide to get you started

Meet the Lawyer

Bethan Gibson

Bethan Gibson is a solicitor in the trusts and estates team at Ashfords LLP. She outlines her typical day and highlights the skills and strengths you need to be a successful solicitor.

Meet the Recruiter

Denise Wright

Denise Wright, early careers lead, provides insights into how Weightmans aims to make its recruitment process as inclusive as possible and how you can stand out in your applications.

Meet the Lawyer

Krishna Patel

Krishna Patel, managing associate at leading national law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP, shares details of his journey into the legal profession, his area of expertise and the type of corporate finance work he takes on, including M&A, and his advice for you. Read Krishna’s insights in this Meet the Lawyer profile.

Meet the Recruiter

Philippa Wilson

Philippa Wilson explains how Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP’s vacation scheme is run, outlines the firm’s stance on the use of AI in applications, provides insights into what the firm is looking for from its future lawyers and more in this Meet the Recruiter profile.

Videos

See more videos

LawCareersNetLIVE London 2023: trainee panel

Five top tips for FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENTS

First steps for those considering a LEGAL CAREER

Masterclass | Legal apprenticeships

Vacation Scheme Insiders

Newcastle University

Law

Spring 2024

Vacation Scheme Insiders

Durham University

Law

Spring 2024

Vacation Scheme Insiders

University of York

Law

June 2023

The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2025

"Where should I start?"

Practice areas

Find out what life is like in practice

Becoming a solicitor

Find out what becoming a solicitor involves

Becoming a barrister

Find out what becoming a barrister involves

Becoming an in-house lawyer

Find out what becoming an in-house lawyer involves

Feature

Law firm open days and insight schemes 2024/25

Looking for an ‘in’? Open days and insight schemes are invaluable opportunities to meet the people that work for the law firms you’re interested in. You’ll learn about life in the organisation, its culture, the work on offer and much more. Plus, if prepped well, it’s your chance to ace that initial interaction to set yourself up nicely for future encounters that could eventually lead to you securing your qualifying work experience (eg, a training contract or apprenticeship).

Ask the Oracle

When should I apply for a vacation scheme?

I’m a first-year student – what’s a vacation scheme and when should I apply?

LCN Says

Charlotte Ainge - LawCareersNetLIVE Manchester: why this is a must-attend event

Charlotte Ainge

Since my attendance, I’m thrilled to have accepted a training contract with Brabners, commencing in 2026. I truly believe that attending LawCareersNetLIVE was one of the contributing factors to my achievement.

About the legal sector

What lawyers do

Learn more about the branches of the legal profession, areas of law, and practice areas

Types of lawyers

Read our table of key facts to help you distinguish between the different types of lawyers

Paralegals

Find out about this distinct group of legal professionals

Work experience

Find out about the various work experience opportunities available for aspiring lawyers

News

The College of Legal Practice and the University of Winchester announce new SQE partnership to prepare students for legal career

The College of Legal Practice and the University of Winchester have joined forces to offer an innovative new master’s in law that’ll include preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam assessments and a direct pathway into the legal profession.

News

Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca set to merge to form legal “powerhouse”

Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca are among the latest law firms to pursue rapid expansion by merging. The “powerhouse” merger will offer clients enhanced capabilities across practices and sectors, along with access to a broad geographic network.

News

England and Wales recognised as legal centre of the world in new Law Society report

England and Wales have been hailed as the leading legal centre for arbitration and commercial dispute resolution, with English law governing trillions of pounds worth of international transactions and deals.

News

Record-high prison population spurs emergency measures

The prison population in England and Wales has reached a record high, increasing by nearly 1,000 people in just one month. The number of jail sentences given to individuals involved in recent riots is said to have contributed to this spike.

Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Beginner's Guide

Videos

"Where should I start?"

About the legal sector

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