As a part of our Inclusion for All strategy, we continue to look at our behaviours, policy and process changes, and ways of working that enable Gowling WLG (UK) LLP to be truly diverse.

With January exams behind us, normal term time is resuming for university students nationwide. Yet this term will be even more different. For the time being at least, many students will not be living in their term-time accommodation, let alone attending in-person teaching. With this term shaping up to be even further removed from the experience we all signed up to, I have some tips about how to still make the best of things.

Kate McLean, managing corporate associate, provides insight into her career at Ward Hadaway. Find out more about her journey into the profession, including advice about vacation schemes and choosing the right firm to train at.  

As Freshers’ week draws to a close, exams and essay deadlines are already a looming reality for some. With this in mind, what can you do to improve your career prospects?

On the 24 February, the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 was enacted, marking a significant moment in the UK’s journey in tackling water pollution and holding water companies accountable.

Aspiring lawyers have many decisions to make over the course of their journey into the profession, including where to train and the types of firm to apply to. Discover the benefits to training in a niche firm like Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP in this LCN Says.

Would banning 'meaty' names for meat imitation products have increased clarity for consumers?

Is the United Kingdom really one of the best places in Europe to start, finance and grow a business?

How does competition law affect a business which doesn't make 'widgets'?

With a major training contract application deadline looming at the end of this month, what are you doing to improve your commercial awareness ahead of any interviews? Take a look at this week’s news round-up and consider the commercial impact of these stories. 

Working as a paralegal before securing a training contract is increasingly the norm for thousands of candidates. It’s even possible to qualify as a solicitor by gaining relevant experience as a paralegal, instead of a formal training contract – a route that could become even more popular with the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and qualifying work experience.

As anyone entering the legal profession is constantly reminded, it’s competitive to get a training contract. Applicants can be competing against hundreds, if not thousands, of other candidates for a small number of training contract vacancies. While some law firms will take on 50+ trainees a year, other firms employ only a handful.

As anyone entering the legal profession is constantly reminded, it’s competitive to get a training contract. Applicants can be competing against hundreds, if not thousands, of other candidates for a small number of training contract vacancies. While some law firms will take on 50+ trainees a year, other firms employ only a handful.

As anyone entering the legal profession is constantly reminded, it’s competitive to get a training contract. Applicants can be competing against hundreds, if not thousands, of other candidates for a small number of training contract vacancies. While some law firms will take on 50+ trainees a year, other firms employ only a handful.

The reasons that firms decide to merge are as varied as the firms themselves, but there are usually some key drivers – namely, the desire to expand, geographically or in terms of expertise, or to stay afloat. For the lawyers who find that the firm they joined is no longer the firm at which they work, there are normally a raft of opportunities and maybe especially so for trainees.

Working as a paralegal before securing a training contract is increasingly the norm for thousands of candidates. It’s even possible to qualify as a solicitor by gaining relevant experience as a paralegal, instead of a formal training contract – a route that could become even more popular with the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and qualifying work experience.

As anyone entering the legal profession is constantly reminded: it’s competitive to get a training contract. Applicants can be competing against hundreds, if not thousands, of other candidates for a small number of training contract vacancies. While some law firms will take on 50+ trainees a year, other firms employ only a handful.