I started this blog when I was 19, and ironically at 24 am STILL on this ruthless path to eventually qualify as a solicitor. It is almost like 19-year-old me was a little bit psychic when naming this blog! My aim at 19 was to qualify as a solicitor as soon as possible. At 20, I decided to prolong my studies and do a Master’s, imagining I would begin my two-year training after my LPC the following year.
By the end of my LPC (with a cheeky LLM thrown in to make us feel 0.1% better about the extortionate cost) I felt like never EVER picking up a textbook again. I had had countless interviews and rejections in my final couple of years of my studies, repeatedly being told that my applications were very impressive, and the only feedback they could offer me was that I needed more legal experience. Apparently, amazing grades, numerous work placements, legal degrees, pro bono legal roles and a wealth of extra-curriculars just weren’t sufficient when obtaining that precious training contract! I quickly realised that you were either one of those extra keen beans, applying to corporate firms in 1st or 2nd year, or you were… screwed? Not only was I more concerned with partying, protesting and meeting new people at that time, but I also personally had 0 desire to work for a firm that deep down in my heart I felt was contributing to the elitist, capitalist system we are in (despite the paycheck and the glamour of the sexy, sleek offices.) As much as the image of dressing up in smart suits like I was actually in Suits appeals to me for a second, I quickly realise that in reality I would be rushing off the sweaty, crammed train in smelly trainers, running to my office with overpriced coffee tricking down my hand, only to be changing into high heels I can’t even walk in to meet clients rich enough to pull a third world country out of poverty AND getting home late… I am not sure that is quite my cup of tea – sorry, my cup of £4 Starbucks coffee.
I did get a job at a local high street firm, which I was hoping to lead to a training contract but first required me to work in Property Law as a paralegal for a year (on pretty dire pay.) I jumped at this chance, with my self-imposed qualifying deadline of age 26 on red alert in my burnt-out brain. Remember that passion of mine… property? Oh wait… So there I was, with very little property knowledge, trying to wing it and learn both the law and the admin side of things on the job. Top tip: don’t do this, unless you have a real interest in the area.
Fast forward: here I am, working part-time in a laundrette. And that is the end of my legal career. (….Just kidding! There is no going back now!) I have spent just over one month going to numerous interviews, unpacking boxes in my new flat (which I did my own legal work for – silver lining!) and working part-time across the road doing my first ever job in hospitality instead of an office… and I love it! My poor father panicked thinking I will choose this life permanently, working minimum wage and popping out a baby sometime soon. I actually wish… the most annoying part of biology is my biological clock tick tick ticking against my uterus, reminding me that I can’t just take the batteries out and put them in when my career is where I want it to be many years down the line, but I just need to ignore it and get my baby kicks out of staring at strangers’ babies like an absolute creep instead! That aside, everything happens for a reason and I absolutely needed this month’s break to regroup and remind myself that my worth is not dependent on my legal knowledge or skills, and I am absolutely fine as is. It is so easy to forget this when you are wrapped up in a ruthless career path, drenched in rejection and alcohol. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! There is so much more to life, and it is heartbreaking to read constant articles with a different lawyer killing themselves each week because they run into a hiccup in their career and feel like their world is crumbling, or seeing colleagues break down in tears and panic attacks feeling overwhelmed with pressure from clients and potential claims against them. We are not just aspiring lawyers, or lawyers, or our job title. We are PEOPLE, GODDAMMIT! With insecurities and breakups and mistakes and bad days. We may have to ‘uphold the respect of the profession’ and make sacrifices for this career choice, but we should never ever lose sight of the fact that a job is a job, and without mental and physical health there is really no point in that job at all (apart from survival, of course.) Sidenote: mental health awareness is drastically changing recently, with bigger firms starting to make changes to acknowledge the issue. The optimist in me thinks that this is a hugely positive shift that will improve the culture for the better.. the pessimist in me thinks that bringing in puppies for the day may be used to portray the culture in a positive (and adorable) light, when in reality pressure to meet billing targets and stay late may not change much in practice.
After weeks getting both rejections and to final interview stages, dissecting my life, grades and ambitions, exploring my worth and still getting told someone else had more experience than me, having the odd drunk cry but finding solace in the slightly-positive-but-negative feedback and deciding to reject job offers on despicable pay or unhealthy work environments (or both,) a job in family law that feels perfectly right eventually arose and I start this week. Again, I need to paralegal for 12 months and should (hopefully) secure a training contract and qualify slightly later than my self-imposed deadline, at age 27.
My tips for people pursuing this career are:
- If you can, try and figure out your areas of interest as early as you can, via modules, work experience/vac schemes, networking (or straight up just following your passions/heart.) Choose your LPC electives wisely, and choose firms that will allow you to paralegal in your area of choice, or do a seat in it as part of your TC. Don’t get sucked into something else as you won’t perform your best and it could result in you being very demotivated or feeling negative.
- In many ways, this industry is quite old-fashioned. Send your CV and cover letters by post as well as email or even call to confirm that it was received. Show persistence. I wrote to my new firm a month ago with no success, only to resend it last week and was called in right away due to a new vacancy. If you are going for the big firms – try and get a vac scheme and note that many firms do recruit from vac schemes or internally, so consider paralegalling and networking there. Fill out their long-ass forms but quadruple check: one spelling mistake and you are OUT.
- If you have an idea of what you want: choose your stepping stones wisely. I met someone the other day who paralegalled for 6 years before getting his desired TC at Ashurst. If you want to get into social justice or human rights like I was considering, try and get some experience that you can make relevant both in your career (e.g. litigation or working with vulnerable groups) and personal life (e.g. charity work or being involved with a campaign.) Vote wisely as austerity has had severe implications, not only for ordinary people and access to justice but for opportunities to get into working in legal aid areas.
- Don’t be disheartened by rejection. Learn to shake it off and move on to the next! I can honestly say pursuing this profession requires dedication, faith in yourself and strength of character. Sometimes things just aren’t the right fit or are out of your hands. Don’t be afraid to sound very confident and big yourself up. Other people are doing the same!
- Choose your next steps wisely. A reason I felt very disheartened throughout this process is because I have been choosing steps wisely for over a decade, from starting my own clubs at school to improve my chances of getting into a good uni, to emailing barristers and firms trying to get work experience for my own reassurance I was choosing the right path, to joining societies, attending law talks and workshops, joining pro bono initiatives like with the National Centre for Domestic Violence and taking advantage of many opportunities to develop myself as a person. Make the most of services available to you at uni or as an alumni, including career services and meeting your Personal Advisor. Don’t worry: I know many people who didn’t do all that and still managed to get paralegal roles that lead to a TC in small high street firms. Depending on your intentions, remember that it is harder to go from a high street firm to a huge firm than it is vice versa.
- LPC or super exam? A lot is currently changing, with a new super exam being introduced to replace the costly LPC. Please do your research and consider your timings. Is it worth rushing to do the LPC if you can manage it, as many law firms may prefer the traditional route until the new route becomes tried and tested? If finances do not allow, is it worth paralegalling and waiting a year or two to do the super exam? When trying to get a TC, you can apply to firms that do not require you to have completed the LPC, but a huge number do require you to have completed the LPC. Some small firms may be flexible and allow you to do the LPC part-time whilst paralegalling.
- Be very cautious about putting yourself in positions that could prevent you from practice. I am wary of going to Extinction Rebellion protests, for example, despite my support for the cause, because all it takes it being in the wrong place at the wrong time and your career could be over before it has even started. When doing your TC you will have to do a suitability test so any run-ins with the police, whether your fault or not, will arise or need to be declared (dishonesty is an offence taken EXTREMELY seriously by the SRA.)
- Be ruthless. This felt extremely unnatural to me. I felt the need to be loyal to a firm, and didn’t want to waste anyone’s time. However, I did want to figure out my worth before making any final decisions, so sent out MANY applications and numerous recruiters. I put myself up for low-paid paralegal roles in my areas of choice, well-paid property roles, part-time roles thinking that this could buy me time to do TC applications, and TCs. I attended every interview I was offered for experience, and negotiated pay in interviews for jobs (even higher if they didn’t offer me my exact areas of choice.) If you are working full-time, I suggest you be more fussy and perfect your applications for firms that really appeal to you. When it comes to asking about pay, remember there is no harm from asking higher at the end of the interview or when given an offer. If they make you an offer but you are waiting on something better, try and buy a little bit of time (within reason.) Remember: they would probably drop you faster than any hat, so don’t be afraid of keeping your options open.
- Work hard, don’t be lazy, hold your hands up if you make a mistake, be honest, ASK FOR HELP!
- Most of all: look after yourself, and don’t lose sight of your self-respect and self-worth. All experience is good experience, but take what you can and leave if you are miserable. Being kind and positive goes a long way, and can allow you to maintain relations with people that can offer you advice or support down the line, even once you leave a firm. You are wonderful! (Unless you’re not that nice, in which case… be nicer. And do corporate law. :P)
The Musings of an Unamused, Semi-Hopeful Law Student 