Researching Opportunities

BPP CAREERS SERVICE

January 2007

If you are a non-law graduate you could consider applying to • Early responsibility firms or that specialise in an area related to your degree. Also use any relevant work experience and the experi- • Size of the firm/chambers (, City, medium sized or ence you will gain on your course to decide which area you high street) would like to practice in. Alternatively, as you do not necessar- • Practice areas ily have to decide at this early stage which area of law you would like to specialise in, you may decide to work in a firm or • Geographical location (City, other , regional) chambers that has a range of specialisms (you may only decide which area of law is for you after you have completed your • Work/life balance - not everyone wants to work a 12 hour day! training). • Opportunities for overseas travel

You will also need to ensure that you research firms and chambers Before beginning to complete and thoroughly to target your applications. You can do your research at applications it is worth taking some time to consider what your careers fairs, reading brochures and websites, talking to your con- career aspirations are. For example, think about what you tacts, attending open days as well as the many handbooks and online might be doing in 5 years time not just in the short term. To find directories available including The Training Contract and Pupillage firms or chambers you should first select your own criteria and Handbook and Chambers and Partners Student Guide available to all then target those that match. Once you have an idea of what BPP students. your important factors are, use websites and directories that shortlist firms and chambers for you according to size, region, Follow what is happening in the legal sector by reading the legal partners, start date, practice areas and types of work under- press. As well as the broadsheets keep up to date by regularly read- taken. Taking some time to decide on your priorities at the be- ing specialist law journals - many of these have online archives where ginning will help narrow your search and could save a lot of you can search for news of individual firms and chambers. time and wasted effort. If you are researching you are strongly advised to attend the National Pupillage Fair (in March each year) where you can meet Some of the factors you may want to consider when deciding on over 200 and get a free paper copy of the Pupillages and your own criteria for firms and chambers could be: Awards handbook. Also use the Bar Directory (available in the BPP Library). • Suitability to personal talents

• Long-term salary prospects Keep an eye out for events being held at BPP. We hold regular for- mal and informal presentations and talks by practising lawyers that • Independence / Flexibility provide you with a great opportunity to ask questions about life after law school and to network with your future colleagues. We also hold • Security of employment (or self employment for barristers) an annual Law Fair, which is attended by a variety of law firms and • Quality of training other organisations.

• Promotion prospects

• Type of colleagues

Careers Service Contact Details: [email protected] 0207 430 5306 or 0207 633 4539 General Information for Law Careers Research

BPP CAREERS SERVICE

Chambers & Partners www.chambersandpartners.com Crown Prosecution Service Excellent background reading on the qualifying process and www.cps.gov.uk and www.makethecase.co.uk information on applications for vacation work, training con- Opportunities for Caseworkers and Prosecutors responsible for tracts and pupillages. Plus a database of ' firms, bar- reviewing and prosecuting criminal cases and advising the police. risters' chambers and individual practices. The General Council of the Bar www.barcouncil.org.uk and its Government Legal Service education and training website www.legaleducation.org.uk www.gls.gov.uk Careers section deals with stages of training, information on Opportunities for lawyers and an alternative to the private sec- funding, timetable planning and also contains an online data- tor. All posts are open to both solicitors and barristers in a wide base of careers and legal events listings for a career as a variety of departments. . With links to circuits and Bar Associations. The Institute of Legal Executives www.ilex.org.uk Lawyer 2B Professional body representing qualified lawyers who special- www.lawyer2b.com ise in a particular area of law, incorporates: www.legal- Designed specifically for those planning a career in the -recruitment.com with vacancies and a list of law re- profession with news, events and careers centre cruitment agencies.

Legal 500 www.legal500.com Law Careers.Net www.lawcareers.net Guide to the legal market in over 70 countries. In-depth edito- Information on law careers including training contract deadlines rial, recommendations of law firms and lawyers, and and online brochures, case studies of recent trainees and pupils directories. and courses. Journal www.legalweekstudent.net Barrister Magazine www.barristermagazine.com The Law Society www.lawsociety.org.uk Lex 100 www.lex100.com Provides information on careers in Law and the qualifying The Lex 100 survey is an insider's guide to the UK's top law firms, process. Includes A Career as a , Map of Routes to bringing together the views and experiences of thousands of Qualification, The Students Guide to Qualifications as a Solici- trainees and newly qualified solicitors to present a true picture of tor, Completing the Academic Stage of Training, Funding and life in practice. The website also provides general guidance e.g. Financial Planning, Training Contracts, Law Scholarships. on law fairs, the application process and assessment days.

Law Careers Advice Network (LCAN) www.lcan.org.uk Legal Resources in the UK and Ireland, maintained by Delia Provides careers advice to law students and individuals consid- Venables www.venables.co.uk ering a career in law. Latest news, Student Resources, Careers, Training Contracts and Pupillages, Links to Barristers and Solicitors. Roll on Friday www.rollonfriday.com Local Government Opportunities For anonymous insider information and gossip on the legal www.lgcareers.com profession. Prospects Web www.prospects.ac.uk www.jobsgopublic.co.uk 'Focus on Law' includes general information and advice on ca- All councils have legal departments staffed by solicitors - and reers in law and alternative careers. Sign up to receive emails some barristers - to advise on a wide range of topics from em- from law firms, institutions and sets of chambers about training ployment to land purchase, through to prosecution of rogue trad- contracts, pupillages, vacation placements, mini pupillages and ers and suppliers. Approximately 3,500 solicitors are employed courses. Also includes a survey of law firms employing parale- in local authorities throughout the UK. gal staff that can be searched by geographical area.

Solicitors-Online www.solicitors-online.com www.spr-consilio.com Search Law Society records to find law firms or individual So- Online journal for law students containing up-to-date legal news, licitors. a legal roundup and law reports.

Trainee Solicitors Group www.tsg.org Waterlow Professional Publishing www.connectinglegal.com Membership is free and automatic upon enrolment with the Waterlow Legal Directory range can be searched free of charge Law Society for students on the LPC. The TSG campaigns to and includes solicitors, barristers, legal services and recruitment promote and protect the interests and welfare of its members consultants. at all stages of training.

Careers Service Contact Details: [email protected] 0207 430 5306 or 0207 633 4539