The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law

Welcome

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

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Becoming a solicitor

Discover what you need to do to become a solicitor

Visit the Solicitor hub

First-year checklist

What to do as a first-year law or non-law university student

First-year checklist

Education hub

Find your undergraduate or postgraduate law course

Visit the Education hub

Becoming a barrister

Discover what you need to do to become a barrister

Visit the Bolicitor hub

Welcome Becoming a solicitor First-year checklist Education hub Becoming a barrister

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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 Recruiter

Georgie Lewis

Find out about Michelmores’ application and recruitment processes, the firm’s D&I strategy, frequent application mistakes and how to discuss non-legal work experience as Georgie shares her advice for candidates.

Meet the Recruiter

Rachel Chapman

Graduate recruitment and development manager Rachel Chapman shares the most common ways candidates let themselves down, what you need to know about Trowers & Hamlins LLP and all the ways the firm prioritises diversity and inclusion.

Meet the Lawyer

Ravi Pattani

Ravi Pattani, partner at Reed Smith, explains what makes a successful application, the work of a corporate lawyer and how sector agnostics his matters are, and his advice for budding solicitors.

Meet the Lawyer

Jack Salter

Jack Salter provides insight into the international cases he's been exposed to at K&L Gates LLP and explains why these opportunities are so enjoyable. Read on to find out more.

Videos

See more videos

How to prepare to become a barrister in sixth form

Masterclass | How to research law firms

Five top tips for FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENTS

5 tips to improve your COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

First steps for those considering a LEGAL CAREER

Feature

A first-year student’s guide to opportunities in law

Read this essential advice for first-year students covering legal work experience, extracurricular activities, law fairs and more. For lots more information and advice, see our dedicated first-year student hub.

Ask the Oracle

Are law firms still recruiting LPC graduates?

Are law firms still recruiting Legal Practice Course (LPC) graduates? I’ve completed the LPC but I'm worried I won’t be able to get a training contract?

LCN Says

Ellie Nicholl - How aspiring lawyers can succeed with no legal work experience

Ellie Nicholl

Securing legal work experience is no mean feat. It’s also not the end of your legal journey if you don’t have any.

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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

New law conversion course with “affordable” course fee

The College of Legal Practice has created a new law conversion course, which will cost £3,250, to be launched from January 2024.

News

AI paralegal passes SQE1 but empathy “no replacement” for human solicitor

Legal technology company Lawhive has put its new AI paralegal, Lawrence, to the test, posing 90 sample questions from the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) SQE1 assessment. Having answered 67 out of 90 questions correct, Lawrence’s total mark was 74%.

News

SQE2 pass rate up 2% in latest results

The latest results for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) assessments have been released with the overall pass rate of the summer 2023 sittings of SQE2 at 79% – up 2% compared to the April/May 2023 sittings.

News

Magic circle law firm to introduce solicitor apprenticeship from 2025

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is set to recruit its first solicitor apprentices in September 2025, joining Linklaters LLP and Allen & Overy LLP as the third magic circle law firm to embrace this alternative route.

Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Beginner's Guide

Videos

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About the legal sector

More insights

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Podcasts

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