In order to select the ideal firm for completing your training contract, it’s recommended that you take the time to fully research both the firms and the area of law you are thinking of entering. You might believe that you already know a great deal about the legal profession and all the firms within it since you have read a number of brochures and firms’ websites. You have probably even spoken to several solicitors as well at open days or law fairs.
No matter what you think you know, it’s best to slow down a bit and think about where you will complete your training contract very carefully. You don’t want to make a rash decision that could affect your future and haunt you further down the road. Of course, you might be able to change law firms after you’ve entered your training contract, but you may find that your options are limited depending on the experience you’ve received as a trainee solicitor. Doing your research is important so that you come across as confident and knowledgeable during interviews with recruiters. Knowing everything about a firm that you’re applying for a training contract with can only help your chances of being accepted.
The main factors to consider while researching your options are as follows:
Type of Work – It is crucial that you consider which areas of law you would like to get some practical exposure to. It is worth bearing in mind that studying a particular type of law as a student can be very different to practising in that same area of law so you must do your research on the practical side of things. Once you have made your choice, ensure you target firms who can give you experience in those areas. Bear in mind that you may not always get to choose the areas of law you will work in during your training contract and also that this may be affected by the size of the firm and the number of other trainees. Firms’ recruitment materials will often give a feel for what type of work would typically be available to trainees.
Client Type – In addition to the area of law you’ll be working in, you should consider the type of clients you’d like to work with. Would you like to work for smaller commercial clients or individuals where you’d have plenty of direct contact with the clients or would you prefer to work for large blue chip clients where you’d rarely have any direct contact with the client?
Staff – Another very important factor to consider when deciding where to fulfill your training contract is the size of the firm you enter. Would you like to be one trainee solicitor of many or one among just a few other trainees? Do you want to work with a large number of varied colleagues, perhaps with many nationalities under one roof, or belong to a small team where you can build strong relationships?
Geographical Location – One factor that’s always a hot topic among those in the legal profession is the balance between work and personal life. This can often be affected by the location of where you work. For instance, working in London will likely mean a very hectic lifestyle and long commute, while working in the regions might offer more in terms of the quality of life. These factors can be subjective so you will have decide for yourself what affect, if any, living in a particular location for the duration of your training contract would have on your life.
Additional Factors – In addition to the above, firms often offer perks to their suppliers such as travelcard loans in London, gym membership, overseas placements or secondments to clients. These should always be a secondary consideration but they can still be used to help you decide between similar firms.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a trainee solicitor and securing legal work experience and/or a law training contract check out this website by following the links