With LawCareers.Net recently announcing that applications for its 2022 LawCareersNetLIVE events will be opening soon, I thought I would share my experience at LawCareersNetLIVE 2021 in London. I want to give an insight into what you can expect from the careers conferences, and why I would highly recommend applying to attend.

What is LawCareersNetLIVE?

LawCareersNetLIVE is a legal careers conference hosted by LawCareers.Net in Manchester, London, and online. It's open to law and non-law students who want to learn how to build a career as a solicitor. The day is filled with various opportunities to network with solicitors, graduate recruitment, and students. It was a great networking event where I met a range of lovely, engaging, and welcoming people, and where I gained a great insight into a variety of firms and their cultures.

What was my day like?

I arrived at the venue in London, where there was a networking breakfast, giving a chance to introduce myself to people before the day commenced. 

Then there was a welcome and speech from the keynote speaker – a partner at Baker McKenzie. After this, there was a panel session from partners and associates from Osborne Clarke LLP, RPC, and Trowers & Hamlins LLP. The panel session was a question time on 'the law firm as a business', explaining how law firms operate as businesses and the key issues affecting firms in the future.

After the panel discussion, you make your way to the relevant room for your first workshop of the day. I chose ‘real estate in practice’ with Trowers & Hamlins, which gave an insight into a typical client scenario that lawyers face in the real estate sector. The partner leaidng the workshop encouraged us to give our thoughts on dealing with the client scenarios and then guided us on how they would solve the client's problems. I found this workshop very engaging, and it allowed me to use my property knowledge from law school and apply it to a real-life scenario. To finish the workshop, the Trowers team did an anonymous Q&A where we asked a range of questions – typically relating to the firm. During this Q&A, we got a deeper insight and ‘inside scoop’ to life at Trowers & Hamlins and how the partners and trainees interact with one another. It was nice to see a friendly and relaxed culture from the firm.

Then there was a networking lunch. Delicious food and a great opportunity to network with lawyers, graduate recruitment, and aspiring lawyers! The networking lunch was one of the best chances to speak to firm representatives from several different firms, and a time I highly valued.

After lunch, I attended my second workshop which was about cyber data and privacy. It was led by partners and associates from Cooley (UK) LLP. The workshop simulated a personal data breach/cybersecurity incident, and we got to experience how the Cooley team dealt with and responds to a business-critical breach situation. The team at Cooley were very friendly and extremely proficient in dealing with a data/security breach. It was informative to understand how a law firm deals with such critical situations.

To finish the day, we had a quick networking and refreshments break, and then the final question time panel discussion. This panel discussion was an insight into 'life as a trainee' with trainees from Charles Russell Speechleys LLP, Cooley, Ropes & Gray and Watson Farley & Williams LLP. As an aspiring solicitor, hoping to secure a training contract, it was useful to have a trainee discussion panel where we could ask trainees, who have recently secured a training contract, about their experiences so far, and any application tips they might have.

Why I would recommend applying for LawCareersNetLIVE

LawCareersNetLIVE was a very well-organised networking event that allowed me to put myself out there in the legal profession. It gave me the opportunity to network with solicitors, graduate recruitment, and aspiring solicitors. It's an event I highly value as networking is crucial in the legal profession. With the vast range of sponsoring law firms, I was also able to gain a deeper insight into law firms and their work. My workshop with Trowers & Hamlins sparked an interest in the real estate sector, and for thefirm as their relaxed and friendly nature was very apparent and appealing to me.

For any aspiring solicitors, I would encourage you to apply to LawCareersNetLIVE as it boosted my confidence and broadened my network. And if you think you might be too nervous to attend such a significant event, don’t be! I was nervous beforehand, but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day once I got there. As an aspiring solicitor, it is important to put yourself out of your comfort zone and make connections in the legal profession!

Applications for LawCareersNetLIVE 2022 in London, Manchester and online open in June. Find out more and apply via the LawCareersNetLIVE microsite.