Career change: And Lawyers out there?
Discussion
Career change: And Lawyers out there
Hi,
I currently work with an organisation helping companies to relocate to Kent. I enjoy it, but I cannot see myself going anywhere with it.
I am looking at several options, one of which is becoming a Commercial property Lawyer.
Are there any PH'ers out there who could give me some help/advice, re:
-Who can I talk to to discuss this in more detail?
-Is the amount of study involved daunting?
-If I learned by distance learning, it is possible to keep a full time job or would I need a part time job and spend more time on my studies??
-Do law firms take people on and pay for their training??
All help/advice appreciated.
Many thanks, Will
Hi,
I currently work with an organisation helping companies to relocate to Kent. I enjoy it, but I cannot see myself going anywhere with it.
I am looking at several options, one of which is becoming a Commercial property Lawyer.
Are there any PH'ers out there who could give me some help/advice, re:
-Who can I talk to to discuss this in more detail?
-Is the amount of study involved daunting?
-If I learned by distance learning, it is possible to keep a full time job or would I need a part time job and spend more time on my studies??
-Do law firms take people on and pay for their training??
All help/advice appreciated.
Many thanks, Will
I a;ways assumed the way to become a "Solicitor" in the UK was to obtain a law degree and then spend a number of years as an Articled Clerk in a firm of solicitors. It may be possible to do both concurrently ie obtain the degree through distance learning, study leave etc whilst putting in your time getting the profofessional experience.
Girlfriends mates boyfriend (phew) did this recently.
He went back to uni full time and lived of his misses, you basically need your law degree first then you have to find a firm to take you on and finish your training.
So its something like
Law degree
CPE (common professional exam)
LPC (legal practice course)
Please feel free to correct any of that Its just off the top of my head.
Anyway, it'll be bloody hard graft and the every part of the training cost a lot of money, the LPC course alone runs into thousands in fees, this is why you need to get a firm to sponsor you.
I'm sure your chosem UNI will have all the info you need though, so give em a ring. At the end of the day it all comes down to ££££ and you being willing and able to put in some very hard work.
I'm, considereing a total change of career myself at the minute so I feel your pain
Very best of luck.
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Monday 24th February 08:51
He went back to uni full time and lived of his misses, you basically need your law degree first then you have to find a firm to take you on and finish your training.
So its something like
Law degree
CPE (common professional exam)
LPC (legal practice course)
Please feel free to correct any of that Its just off the top of my head.
Anyway, it'll be bloody hard graft and the every part of the training cost a lot of money, the LPC course alone runs into thousands in fees, this is why you need to get a firm to sponsor you.
I'm sure your chosem UNI will have all the info you need though, so give em a ring. At the end of the day it all comes down to ££££ and you being willing and able to put in some very hard work.
I'm, considereing a total change of career myself at the minute so I feel your pain
Very best of luck. >> Edited by dave_s13 on Monday 24th February 08:51
First you need to do a law degree OR, if you already have a NON-law degree you can do the CPE for a year (is like an intensive law degree although does miss out a few helpful subjects).
After this you need to do decide whether you want to be a barrister or solicitor.
If a barrister then you need to do the Bar Finals for a year followed by 12 months "pupillage" in a barrister's chambers (ie. low/unpaid training where you are assigned to senior barristers). You need to apply for pupillage and demand for them far outstrips supply. After completing pupillage the chambers that you are in may offer you a "tenancy" in chambers or you may have to apply to other chambers for a permanent position.
Alternatively, to become a solicitor you then need to do the LPC for a year followed by 2 years "Training Contract" (ie. training in a firm of solicitors). At the end of the training contract the firm may choose to keep you or you may have to apply to other firms for a permanent position.
Hope this helps.
>> Edited by NickD on Monday 24th February 09:07
After this you need to do decide whether you want to be a barrister or solicitor.
If a barrister then you need to do the Bar Finals for a year followed by 12 months "pupillage" in a barrister's chambers (ie. low/unpaid training where you are assigned to senior barristers). You need to apply for pupillage and demand for them far outstrips supply. After completing pupillage the chambers that you are in may offer you a "tenancy" in chambers or you may have to apply to other chambers for a permanent position.
Alternatively, to become a solicitor you then need to do the LPC for a year followed by 2 years "Training Contract" (ie. training in a firm of solicitors). At the end of the training contract the firm may choose to keep you or you may have to apply to other firms for a permanent position.
Hope this helps.
>> Edited by NickD on Monday 24th February 09:07
That's great. I already have a degree (BCs Hons Biology) so I could do the one year course, and I would be looking at a solicitor rather then a barrister (I want to stay with Commercial property side).
Would a solicitor firm take me a completely "green" and sponsor me for the initial exams as well??
And do they ever advertise, or shall I simply write off to as many as possible and keep badgering them??
Would a solicitor firm take me a completely "green" and sponsor me for the initial exams as well??
And do they ever advertise, or shall I simply write off to as many as possible and keep badgering them??
Why????? Its not all that its cracked up to be.
First the negatives IMOH,
Its very difficult to become an articled clark even if you have done the law degree, and Law society finals or the LPC as it is now.
The LSF was f#ing hard to pass, the LPC is also quite hard so Im told !
Normally you have to pay to put yourself through all of it and then almost beg to get taken on as an articled clerk.
You will do very well if you can pursaude a firm to take you on and pay for your LPC
It is hard to find a firm that will take you on as an articled clark. but it can be done if you are prepared to move around the UK.
Commercial law is very specialised. and again courses cost money and it takes time. Time is money and a firm may take you on after you have got the exams but on a low wage.
Sorry this is turning into a negative post, not meant to be.
Im sure you can do it with dedication and cash in your bank. Find out the finacial costs first, I beleive you will have a lot of outgoings with little/low income for a few years.
Go for being a solicitor first, then after some years specialise.
positive things, wages do get better, not all clients are sh~t to you, not all firms work you to the bone, and you do have some days with medium level stress.
ps there are other jobs that are more rewarding out there,
If I had my time again, I would do the law degree again, save myself the cost and absolute hell of the LSF exams and not go into being a solicitor.
Wife and I were both solicitors, I left as the firm was closing and took over an existing business in Lettings. Wife was in another firm for years but then became ill with stress and hasnt worked for the last 5 years as a solicitor.
Most of my friends who i keep in contact from Uni, who also went on to become solicitors are now doing something completly different now as well.
Sorry for many negative points, just my 2p worth.
>> Edited by superlightr on Monday 24th February 13:11
First the negatives IMOH,
Its very difficult to become an articled clark even if you have done the law degree, and Law society finals or the LPC as it is now.
The LSF was f#ing hard to pass, the LPC is also quite hard so Im told !
Normally you have to pay to put yourself through all of it and then almost beg to get taken on as an articled clerk.
You will do very well if you can pursaude a firm to take you on and pay for your LPC
It is hard to find a firm that will take you on as an articled clark. but it can be done if you are prepared to move around the UK.
Commercial law is very specialised. and again courses cost money and it takes time. Time is money and a firm may take you on after you have got the exams but on a low wage.
Sorry this is turning into a negative post, not meant to be.
Im sure you can do it with dedication and cash in your bank. Find out the finacial costs first, I beleive you will have a lot of outgoings with little/low income for a few years.
Go for being a solicitor first, then after some years specialise.
positive things, wages do get better, not all clients are sh~t to you, not all firms work you to the bone, and you do have some days with medium level stress.
ps there are other jobs that are more rewarding out there,
If I had my time again, I would do the law degree again, save myself the cost and absolute hell of the LSF exams and not go into being a solicitor.
Wife and I were both solicitors, I left as the firm was closing and took over an existing business in Lettings. Wife was in another firm for years but then became ill with stress and hasnt worked for the last 5 years as a solicitor.
Most of my friends who i keep in contact from Uni, who also went on to become solicitors are now doing something completly different now as well.
Sorry for many negative points, just my 2p worth.
>> Edited by superlightr on Monday 24th February 13:11
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