Newly qualified solicitor blog

A few months ago I wrote an article for Legal Week in which I challenged the College of Law’s proposal to scrap training contracts. A university “think tank” was looking into the possibility of law students being able to call themselves “solicitors” directly after completing the LPC. Inevitably this would fast-track students access to the profession, but at what cost? Whether this would improve employment levels or lead to a rise in “sole practitioners” has not really been explored. However, it is something that is being considered as a possibility and would mark a fundamental change in how solicitors are admitted to practice.

We are also encountering much more publicity about the increased use of legal process outsourcing (LPO). Surely this is only going to add to the concerns that there may not be enough work to sustain the numbers of lawyers firms have grown accustomed to employing and increase unemployment levels as opposed to anything else. It almost seems as though firms are investing less and less in future talent and looking to cut costs. Firms will need to be more savvy to compete in an ever increasingly competitive environment – but at what cost to quality, consistency, training and investment in people?

Then we were met with statements from the Law Society calling for students to avoid the profession entirely. There was a time when trainee positions would increase year on year without question. The slog to find a job was always hard but never near impossible. The growing trend has been for firms to face increasing numbers of applications for fewer and fewer training places. Will cuts in trainee intakes prove to be a temporary measure or the beginnings of a lasting change?

As has been heavily reported in the press, the law firm business model is changing, and as a result of the need to squeeze greater value out of firms, cost-cutting is likely to hit trainees. Unfortunately times change and if you’re not bringing in the big bucks, your positions are likely to go first.

But is it all doom and gloom? Maybe not quite. With fewer trainees being taken on by firms - in theory - more attention should be given to their training and development, with closer regard to the trainee’s preferences. Further, most recent figures have shown that in respect of March intakes retention rates have been fairly respectable. Things could be picking up. But then again…

I guess the best thing to do is think whether this is something you definitely want to do. Then come to terms that it’s a tough profession – to get into, to stay in and to have a long and prosperous career in. When you hit those application forms, devote your energy to making your application stand out from the crowd. This does not mean lining your answers with gimmicks and wacky responses.

You should focus on evidencing that you are genuinely interested in a career in law whilst demonstrating that you have enough outside interests so that it does not define you. What can never harm is to also have a plan b. When I found myself in that position I found that helped. It was comforting. It doesn’t mean you have to leave for good as I soon found out. But the fact that you have a law degree is something.

If you have done the LPC then that this looked upon as a strong string to your bow too. And if you are lucky to secure the training contract but don’t have a position on qualification, you have shown that you can do the “grunt work” and pull your weight which makes you a good option as compared to someone who is fresh out of university!

So if a career in law doesn’t welcome you with open arms…pat yourself on the back whatever level you have achieved, because what you have done is respected and regarded by many professions and may just be that foot in the door you need to secure your future (even if it is not in law)!