Question Does anyone work in a Law firm?

[sufc_dave]

Fellow Shrimper fans,

This may be a bit of a long shot, but I'm currently studying law and can't seem to find any summer work with a law firm, as it seems to be a lot of the old 'who you know' and not 'what you know'.

If theres anyone here who works or is involved with a firm which could possibly still offer work placements please let me know!

UTB

 

[number11]

Hi Dave,

Sadly there is not much of that type of work about anymore as the market is so over saturated with new graduates and students that employers get inundated with people looking and wanting that experience on their CV's that there are often lots willing to work for free.

What kind of firm are you looking for? City firm or High Street / town practice? You are right in what you say about who you know.......have a real think about any connections you or friends or family may have in the profession and see if you can call in any favours. Otherwise look for something parallel that may assist or have some relevance (I was speaking to someone last weekend who wanted to get into Clinical Negligence work and was working in the Health Industry over the summer as he couldn't find a Law Firm).....

 

[Eastblack]

Would also suggest somewhere like the Citizens Advice or some other charity. They are often glad of the extra assistance.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I'd echo both what number11 and Eastblack said.

I'd suggest you should be getting involved in all the pro bono activities your uni runs during term time if you haven't already done so anyway.

If you're after a city law firm, I'd recommend working the summer before you start uni and the summer at the end of the first year for the type of company that is going to be a client of a city law firm. Then you need to sort out what law firms you apply for summer schemes in the first term of the second year as the application dates are from about Christmas to Easter. I appreciate that this might be a bit late for you.

It's not who you know, it's how well organised, pro-active and how much initiative do you have. You need to be able to sell yourself and make sure you stand out from the thousands of applications that they receive. Everyone's got strong academics, has played team sports, been involved with university societies. You need to show what you've got out of doing those things and why that makes you a better candidate. What does doing all those things demonstrate?

 

[sufc_dave]

Cheers for the ideas guys, really appreciate it. The thing is is that I've just finished my second year, with one year left, so finding a summer scheme would have really helped towards gaining a training contract at the end of my studies.

I will keep looking around though and thanks again for all the info/ideas

 

[number11]

Cheers for the ideas guys, really appreciate it. The thing is is that I've just finished my second year, with one year left, so finding a summer scheme would have really helped towards gaining a training contract at the end of my studies.

I will keep looking around though and thanks again for all the info/ideas

No probs Dave.

As YB says, it really is a case of being pro-active and not placing all hopes on a summer scheme coming up. What kind of Law Firm / area are you looking to go into eventually?

 

[sufc_dave]

Well I've done a few extra things outside of taking a law degree, for example I've worked with the School of Law and also taken part in the mentoring scheme for younger students.

Im not too sure yet what route I want to go down, the dream would to one day work at a big City law firm. However, with the competition around at the moment, I would like to possibly go down the commercial law route. But like I say I'm not 100% sure yet, I guess I will decide for sure next year in my final year.

 

[number11]

Nothing wrong in not making your mind up (I didn't til about 2 years after my degree!) but from my experience, if you want to work in a big city firm you will have to be making the right steps now (if not earlier as YB said) and doing EVERYTHING you can to stand out......it is incredibly competitive.

 

[Rudi Luftwaffe]

I have been in Court Report in the Echo a few times and would be happy to meet up and share my experiences.

 

[OldBlueLady]

To repeat my request on the Jobs thread, I'm looking for any firm that might take my daughter on while she takes a Legal Secretary Apprenticeship for 4 days a week and one day at SEEVIC? Please p.m. me anyone who might be a possibility.