Legal apprenticeship: any tips on trying to find a trainee solicitor job
- Thread starter Gabrielle
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Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
I'm an apprentice in a small firm, found it really hard to get one at the time. The bigger firms would all be full for this year by now, but smaller firms will take people on over the next few months. Are you on the Law Society's register? That's how I got my place.
A friend of mine literally wrote to every solicitor in the Law Directory, sent out hundreds, got a few interviews and finally got one. If you're not set on getting into a big firm this can work but you need to be persistent. Some work experience in a solicitors office would really help if you can get it while you're looking. If you can type well you could find office junior type work over the summer.
Also, if you're prepared to go to smaller towns in the country, you'll find less competition. Rural practices have trouble finding apprentices sometimes, but most apprentices want to stay in the cities.
I would advise you to really put in the time now to find one for Blackhall this autumn. I was a bit laid back about it and spent a year after finishing the FE-1's working. I could have been qualified last Christmas and earning real money by now!
I'm an apprentice in a small firm, found it really hard to get one at the time. The bigger firms would all be full for this year by now, but smaller firms will take people on over the next few months. Are you on the Law Society's register? That's how I got my place.
A friend of mine literally wrote to every solicitor in the Law Directory, sent out hundreds, got a few interviews and finally got one. If you're not set on getting into a big firm this can work but you need to be persistent. Some work experience in a solicitors office would really help if you can get it while you're looking. If you can type well you could find office junior type work over the summer.
Also, if you're prepared to go to smaller towns in the country, you'll find less competition. Rural practices have trouble finding apprentices sometimes, but most apprentices want to stay in the cities.
I would advise you to really put in the time now to find one for Blackhall this autumn. I was a bit laid back about it and spent a year after finishing the FE-1's working. I could have been qualified last Christmas and earning real money by now!
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Honestly, and I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, I don't really like it. I was never really sure what I wanted to do and I'm still not. If I knew of something else I'd love to do, I'd probably do it. For most people I know it's the same.
I liked it for the first year, it is interesting going to court and you learn a lot of very useful stuff. I still do like litigation and some family law and I could see myself being happy enough doing those. Not conveyancing and probate though. I think my main problem is I hate paying attention to detail! When you read that in the job description for solicitors, most people think it's easy enough, but reading long leases and deeds is pretty boring to most people and it's your job to stay awake long enough to spot the problem, and to do that every single day. If you mess up, there's always the fear of being sued or a complaint to the Law Society. I also hate being stuck in an office on lovely sunny days all day long, but that's any full-time office job...
A lot of my problem could be my office, hopefully when I qualify I'll find somewhere better, but I know there are worse places too. It is well paid when you qualify, I don't know any unemployed solicitors and it takes huge effort and money to qualify, so it's hard to consider leaving.
I'd never regret doing it though, because you do learn invaluable skills in handling people. They're often going through the most stress they ever will, some are angry, crazy, addicted to something, aggressive, bitter, rude and every other thing human beings can be. You'll get to see and hear all of it (in an average smallish firm anyway).
The best part are the nice clients and having good people to work with. Sometimes you do help people, you do more than you're paid for and sometimes they appreciate it. You can also make yourself very useful to family and friends when they need advice.
I wouldn't advise doing it or any other job for the money or status. Nothing makes up for it if you're bored or stressed out for most of your day, wishing you were doing something else. And people do hate solicitors, we tend to tell taxi drivers we work in the bank to avoid speeches!!
Hope this isn't too negative, it's just my opinion and I'm sure there are other solicitors who enjoy their jobs.
Honestly, and I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, I don't really like it. I was never really sure what I wanted to do and I'm still not. If I knew of something else I'd love to do, I'd probably do it. For most people I know it's the same.
I liked it for the first year, it is interesting going to court and you learn a lot of very useful stuff. I still do like litigation and some family law and I could see myself being happy enough doing those. Not conveyancing and probate though. I think my main problem is I hate paying attention to detail! When you read that in the job description for solicitors, most people think it's easy enough, but reading long leases and deeds is pretty boring to most people and it's your job to stay awake long enough to spot the problem, and to do that every single day. If you mess up, there's always the fear of being sued or a complaint to the Law Society. I also hate being stuck in an office on lovely sunny days all day long, but that's any full-time office job...
A lot of my problem could be my office, hopefully when I qualify I'll find somewhere better, but I know there are worse places too. It is well paid when you qualify, I don't know any unemployed solicitors and it takes huge effort and money to qualify, so it's hard to consider leaving.
I'd never regret doing it though, because you do learn invaluable skills in handling people. They're often going through the most stress they ever will, some are angry, crazy, addicted to something, aggressive, bitter, rude and every other thing human beings can be. You'll get to see and hear all of it (in an average smallish firm anyway).
The best part are the nice clients and having good people to work with. Sometimes you do help people, you do more than you're paid for and sometimes they appreciate it. You can also make yourself very useful to family and friends when they need advice.
I wouldn't advise doing it or any other job for the money or status. Nothing makes up for it if you're bored or stressed out for most of your day, wishing you were doing something else. And people do hate solicitors, we tend to tell taxi drivers we work in the bank to avoid speeches!!
Hope this isn't too negative, it's just my opinion and I'm sure there are other solicitors who enjoy their jobs.
Oilean Beag
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Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
I have just completed all FE 1 and Irish exam having finished law degree in UCD last summer. I have been looking for ann apprenticeship since Dec 04 -the first time I applied to the top 10 or so. I have had no luck really , a few letters saying you have a good CV and you should obtain an apprenticeship elsewhere, JUST NOT HERE THANKS. As my mam says I could wallpaper my room with PFO's.
I guess my problem is also that Im looking for a particular type of apprenticeship (NOT conveyancing), really want to work somewhere with an established programme and a period in a few different depts. Currently working in a v. small rural firm where I have an apprenticeship but the work and my employer (single solicitor practice) have really put me off this kind of work.
Would I be mad to turn it down and chase the dream ?
I have just completed all FE 1 and Irish exam having finished law degree in UCD last summer. I have been looking for ann apprenticeship since Dec 04 -the first time I applied to the top 10 or so. I have had no luck really , a few letters saying you have a good CV and you should obtain an apprenticeship elsewhere, JUST NOT HERE THANKS. As my mam says I could wallpaper my room with PFO's.
I guess my problem is also that Im looking for a particular type of apprenticeship (NOT conveyancing), really want to work somewhere with an established programme and a period in a few different depts. Currently working in a v. small rural firm where I have an apprenticeship but the work and my employer (single solicitor practice) have really put me off this kind of work.
Would I be mad to turn it down and chase the dream ?
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Thanks for the advice Mallow.
SNB I have spoken to a few Trainees and loads of them say you get better experience in these small rural practices because you are exposed to a wider variety of case load. I know lots of people apply to the big 5 mainly because they know all their fees will be paid for them!
Thanks for the advice Mallow.
SNB I have spoken to a few Trainees and loads of them say you get better experience in these small rural practices because you are exposed to a wider variety of case load. I know lots of people apply to the big 5 mainly because they know all their fees will be paid for them!
Oilean Beag
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Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Yes, you would be absolutely insane. Just stick it out for the term of your apprenticeship. It's well-nigh impossible to get an apprecnticeship these days. If you want to get into the top 5 you are talking about 20 to 25 places for about 1600 applicants. There is probably no harm in applying and doing the interviews and your experience will stand to you in this respect. I wouldn't leave where you are now with nowhere to go to though. Are you going to Blackhall in September?
Yes, you would be absolutely insane. Just stick it out for the term of your apprenticeship. It's well-nigh impossible to get an apprecnticeship these days. If you want to get into the top 5 you are talking about 20 to 25 places for about 1600 applicants. There is probably no harm in applying and doing the interviews and your experience will stand to you in this respect. I wouldn't leave where you are now with nowhere to go to though. Are you going to Blackhall in September?
Oilean Beag
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Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Oops, ........ well I've already done it. I've left the job ( & the secured apprenticeship) about 2 months now. I got a job as legal assistant to Corporate Counsel of large MNC and I am getting to do some really challenging, totally different work( & some travel). A million miles away from the rural practice I was in.
The main thing was I felt trapped in the old place, went straight from college to there, did my FE1's. I just felt I was selling out on what I really wanted to do so I could get that qualification under my belt. My apprenticeship there would have been entirely conveyancing, something I had no interest in practising and on the advice of some recently qualified solicitors , I knew that pursuing a career in another specialisation would have been next to impossible.
The hard thing was leaving the security & the people I worked with ( who were great & I really miss them). If this very unusual position Im in now had not come along I would probably have agonised over what to do for another long while.
Im now hoping to get into Blackhall in 2007 or 2008 and Im even considering the New York Bar...... I think I have done the right thing , I know Im happier now and there is at least some POSSIBILITY that I will get the training contract I want.
Oops, ........ well I've already done it. I've left the job ( & the secured apprenticeship) about 2 months now. I got a job as legal assistant to Corporate Counsel of large MNC and I am getting to do some really challenging, totally different work( & some travel). A million miles away from the rural practice I was in.
The main thing was I felt trapped in the old place, went straight from college to there, did my FE1's. I just felt I was selling out on what I really wanted to do so I could get that qualification under my belt. My apprenticeship there would have been entirely conveyancing, something I had no interest in practising and on the advice of some recently qualified solicitors , I knew that pursuing a career in another specialisation would have been next to impossible.
The hard thing was leaving the security & the people I worked with ( who were great & I really miss them). If this very unusual position Im in now had not come along I would probably have agonised over what to do for another long while.
Im now hoping to get into Blackhall in 2007 or 2008 and Im even considering the New York Bar...... I think I have done the right thing , I know Im happier now and there is at least some POSSIBILITY that I will get the training contract I want.
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Hi,
My question is slightly off the point here but I would still appreciate any opinion/advice. I am moving to London in Sept to start an LLM. I'm not doing this solely for the purposes of securing a training contract but I am concerned that my subject choice could have an adverse effect on my applications. If I were to take mostly criminal law subjects would I effectively be ruling myself out of competition for a contract in a non criminal firm? Conversely if I don't concentrate heavily on Criminal Law will I still have a chance of a training contract in a criminal firm? From friends, collegues etc I have been told that the bigger criminal firms usually only take apprentices with Masters in Crim.
Hi,
My question is slightly off the point here but I would still appreciate any opinion/advice. I am moving to London in Sept to start an LLM. I'm not doing this solely for the purposes of securing a training contract but I am concerned that my subject choice could have an adverse effect on my applications. If I were to take mostly criminal law subjects would I effectively be ruling myself out of competition for a contract in a non criminal firm? Conversely if I don't concentrate heavily on Criminal Law will I still have a chance of a training contract in a criminal firm? From friends, collegues etc I have been told that the bigger criminal firms usually only take apprentices with Masters in Crim.
Oilean Beag
Registered User
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Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Miak,
The very reason I left my old place was that I would not get exposure to the work I was interested in & therefore not be able to 'sell' myself to those firms that do that work after qualification. I think that you should study what interests you and what you genuinely want to specialise in.
There are a number of solicitors who frequent this site, hopefully they might be able to give you more concrete advice than I can i.e not just based on hopes & dreams
Miak,
The very reason I left my old place was that I would not get exposure to the work I was interested in & therefore not be able to 'sell' myself to those firms that do that work after qualification. I think that you should study what interests you and what you genuinely want to specialise in.
There are a number of solicitors who frequent this site, hopefully they might be able to give you more concrete advice than I can i.e not just based on hopes & dreams
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
miak, I think you probably already know the answer to your question. Yes you will have a better chance at an apprenticeship in a specialised criminal law firm if you do further studies in that area and yes, if you become too specialised a non-specialised firm might write you off as possibly leaving in the middle of training or immediately thereafter if a specialised position becomes available to you, or even write you off as being too specialised. You can always correct this by doing some non-specialised work experience afterwards as experience will always count more than actual qualifications in the real world. My advice- if you are passionate about an area of law, go for it.
miak, I think you probably already know the answer to your question. Yes you will have a better chance at an apprenticeship in a specialised criminal law firm if you do further studies in that area and yes, if you become too specialised a non-specialised firm might write you off as possibly leaving in the middle of training or immediately thereafter if a specialised position becomes available to you, or even write you off as being too specialised. You can always correct this by doing some non-specialised work experience afterwards as experience will always count more than actual qualifications in the real world. My advice- if you are passionate about an area of law, go for it.
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
I have just started with a small solicitors firm and the work is mostly conveyancing. If somebody told me this is where I would be 12 months ago I would not have believed it but the reality is that it is very difficult to secure an apprenticeship and after sending out hundreds of CV's I was very grateful for the opportunity. I think I could have had the Attorney General's C.V. and most of the firms still would not have met with me This is not the direction I saw my career moving in but I am trying to look on the next few years until I qualify as a learning experience. What I am trying to say to you is go ahead and enjoy your masters but do not rule out any apprenticeships purely on the basis that the firm does not specialise in Criminal Law.
When I was moaning on AAB about the difficulty in securing an apprenticeship somebody posted a reply saying "what's for you won't go by you" I cringed at the time but 'fraid it's true.... Best of Luck with the Masters.
I have just started with a small solicitors firm and the work is mostly conveyancing. If somebody told me this is where I would be 12 months ago I would not have believed it but the reality is that it is very difficult to secure an apprenticeship and after sending out hundreds of CV's I was very grateful for the opportunity. I think I could have had the Attorney General's C.V. and most of the firms still would not have met with me
This is not the direction I saw my career moving in but I am trying to look on the next few years until I qualify as a learning experience. What I am trying to say to you is go ahead and enjoy your masters but do not rule out any apprenticeships purely on the basis that the firm does not specialise in Criminal Law. When I was moaning on AAB about the difficulty in securing an apprenticeship somebody posted a reply saying "what's for you won't go by you" I cringed at the time but 'fraid it's true.... Best of Luck with the Masters.
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Hi,
Thanks a mill for the advice, opinions, hopes, dreams etc I certainly would not rule out any apprenticeship because it does not have enough criminal law, in fact I'd be happy with any contract that isn't mostly conveyancing or commerical law! It's just a bit difficult to decide what the best thing to do is, as I haven't actually applied for any training contracts yet I haven't been rejected and so have no real experience to learn from. It's hard to figure out in advance what firms are really looking for!
Hi,
Thanks a mill for the advice, opinions, hopes, dreams etc
I certainly would not rule out any apprenticeship because it does not have enough criminal law, in fact I'd be happy with any contract that isn't mostly conveyancing or commerical law! It's just a bit difficult to decide what the best thing to do is, as I haven't actually applied for any training contracts yet I haven't been rejected and so have no real experience to learn from. It's hard to figure out in advance what firms are really looking for!
T
think tank
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Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
I'll be frank. Small to medium sized firms are looking for a person
1. preferebly with some type of office experience.
2. shows some form of dealing / interacting with people in the past, without causing friction
3. When you get the job
I'll be frank. Small to medium sized firms are looking for a person
1. preferebly with some type of office experience.
2. shows some form of dealing / interacting with people in the past, without causing friction
3. When you get the job
Re: Legal Apprenticeship?
Thanks think tank,
Presumably though there are hundreds of candidates with office experience and good interpersonal skills etc. What is difficult to figure out are those things which firms prioritise when applicants are of a similar standard. For e.g is quality work experience better than good grades? How much credence is given to extra-curricular activities? I know alot depends on the size of the firm etc but there are alot of 2.1 law degrees floating around so how do firms differentiate?
Thanks think tank,
Presumably though there are hundreds of candidates with office experience and good interpersonal skills etc. What is difficult to figure out are those things which firms prioritise when applicants are of a similar standard. For e.g is quality work experience better than good grades? How much credence is given to extra-curricular activities? I know alot depends on the size of the firm etc but there are alot of 2.1 law degrees floating around so how do firms differentiate?