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

National law firm Irwin Mitchell LLP has revealed its plans to target 100% renewable energy use in offices over the next three years, and to reach carbon net zero by 2040.

Details of the 22nd UK Pro Bono Week have been revealed, with the focus on bringing legal professionals together to make a sustained impact around three cross-cutting themes.

We speak to Paul Barker, a property litigator specialising in commercial property dispute resolution for over two decades, as well as a proud mentor to the co-chairs of Gowling WLG (UK) LLP’s OpenHouse network.

Looking for an ‘in’? Open days and insight schemes – virtual and in person – are invaluable opportunities to meet the people that work for the law firms you’re interested in. You will 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, which will set you up nicely for future encounters and could eventually lead to a training contract.

In this blog I will look at whether it is possible to litigate social media, with a focus on body image issues.

Now that we’re already halfway through January, I thought it’d be useful to reflect on 2022’s key trends. This post provides a brief overview of two key trends from 2022 and my take on how these trends might impact law firms moving forward

From cyberattacks on UK law firms to news on the BT Tower being made into a hotel, this week’s round-up offers a lot to think about. Read on for summaries of five news stories that we think should be on your radar as aspiring lawyers. 

It’s no secret that the portrayal of the legal world on TV is often dramatised and wildly inaccurate. Nevertheless, the shows and films I’ve put together can actually be helpful for law students, whether it’s for education or mere entertainment purposes. If watching legal dramas provides motivation for your studies or helps you retain just a few nuggets of useful information, they still have value. In fact, a Suits episode once helped me ask a question about the stock market in an interview! Below are my top 10 films/shows and takeaways.

What is the role of energy lawyers in combating climate change?

To be successful with your law firm applications, you must demonstrate sound commercial acumen. Many law firms have set their vacation scheme and training contract deadlines throughout December, so this is a great opportunity for you to spend time researching and writing some excellent applications. 

Law firms are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals due to the large quantities of sensitive client data they hold. Despite 97% of firms prioritising safety from cybercrime and fraud, according to the Law Firm Benchmarking 2024 report, only 32% of these firms provide regular training to their staff.

The Law Society of England and Wales updated its official guidance on diversity and inclusion language, encouraging the use of alternatives to ‘Dear Sirs’ at the start of legal correspondence – a greeting often used when a recipient’s name is unknown. This use is widely regarded as antiquated, originating from a time when the profession was predominantly male. The Law Society stated: “This gendered greeting perpetuates the assumption that the recipients of correspondence are by default men”.

The Next 100 Years project has launched a new film series, supported by full-service law firm Irwin Mitchell LLP.

One in 10 lawyers under 30 said they have experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of work, a recent International Bar Association survey found, with wellbeing in the legal profession a “global concern”.

Many law firms, in-house legal departments and other organisations including the Government Legal Department have become the founding signatories of the Law Society’s Pro Bono Charter. 

Changes to the solicitors profession’s entry requirements could place less well-off candidates at a disadvantage and damage equality in the legal profession, the Law Society has warned.

Jonathan Smithers, president of the Law Society, said: “Law can be a demanding career. Many of us are drawn to the intellectual challenge and thrive on the high pressure our work entails, but with this high pressure can come stress.”