The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law

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The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law sponsored by The University of Law

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Your non-law student hub

You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer - visit LCN's non-law student hub!

Your non-law student hub

Education hub

Find your undergraduate or postgraduate law course

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Discover your options

Find out about the various legal apprenticeships on offer

Kickstart your career in law

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The Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Your essential first step to a career in law

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Key law career questions

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about a career in the legal sector

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Key law career deadlines

Discover several key events and deadlines that you need to diarise

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Reality check

Without wanting to detract from the exciting and challenging legal career on offer, here are some things to bear in mind

Beginner's Guide

First steps checklist

Here's what you can do even before you start university

First-year checklist

Find out what you should be doing in your first year at university as a law or non-law student

Meet the Lawyer

Read how today's lawyers went from student to qualified lawyer

Legal career paths

Take a look at our simple career timetable

Solicitor versus barrister

What's the difference and which career would suit you? Use this guide to get you started

Meet the Recruiter

Rachel Chapman

Head of early talent Rachel Chapman shares the most common ways candidates let themselves down, what you need to know about Trowers & Hamlins LLP and all the ways the firm prioritises diversity and inclusion.

Meet the Lawyer

Daniel Millard

Daniel Millard, an associate in Cooley (UK) LLP’s cyber/data/privacy team, speaks about the important role work experience had on his career, his decision to pursue a career as a technology lawyer and how his team intersects with the rest of the firm in this Meet the Lawyer profile.

Meet the Recruiter

Vanessa Harvey

The professional development of its trainees is at the heart of what Milbank LLP does. Vanessa Harvey, graduate recruitment manager, discusses vacation schemes, and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Plus, how a variety of work experience may improve an application.

Meet the Lawyer

Kassia Lewis-DeBoos

Kassia Lewis-DeBoos discusses her role as a global finance associate at leading law firm Paul Hastings, as well as her journey into the profession and the opportunities she’s had so far. Read this Meet the Lawyer profile to find out more!

Videos

See more videos

LawCareersNetLIVE London 2023: trainee panel

Five top tips for FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENTS

First steps for those considering a LEGAL CAREER

Masterclass | Legal apprenticeships

Vacation Scheme Insiders

Archie Hogarth

University

University of Glasgow

Subject

Law

Started

Summer 2024

Vacation Scheme Insiders

University of Leeds

Law and history

Summer 2024

Vacation Scheme Insiders

Tasheika Rose

University

University of Warwick

Law

June 2023

The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2025

"Where should I start?"

Practice areas

Find out what life is like in practice

Becoming a solicitor

Find out what becoming a solicitor involves

Becoming a barrister

Find out what becoming a barrister involves

Becoming an in-house lawyer

Find out what becoming an in-house lawyer involves

Useful content!

Feature

A non-law student’s guide to a career in law

You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer – in fact, the modern legal profession is full of non-law graduates. The skills and experiences you gain from studying and working in other fields are assets that can make you a stronger candidate.

Ask the Oracle

Non-law students: SQE and law conversion courses

I’m a non-law student qualifying via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) – do I still need to do a law conversion course?

LCN Says

Rona Ankrah - Mastering commercial awareness as a trainee lawyer

Rona Ankrah

In this LCN Says, we speak to Rona Ankrah from Mayer Brown International LLP about building commercial awareness. Read this article for insights on how you can demonstrate commercial awareness in interviews, how Mayer Brown helps trainees to develop their commercial awareness and how Rona approaches learning about clients’ businesses.

About the legal sector

What lawyers do

Learn more about the branches of the legal profession, areas of law, and practice areas

Types of lawyers

Read our table of key facts to help you distinguish between the different types of lawyers

Paralegals

Find out about this distinct group of legal professionals

Work experience

Find out about the various work experience opportunities available for aspiring lawyers

News

Birketts to use London office as “springboard” to expand globally

Birketts LLP, a full-service law firm with office locations across the East of England, London and the South East, eyes plans to develop its international practice by using its City office as a “springboard”.

News

Walker Morris boosts NQ salaries to £65,000

Leeds-based law firm Walker Morris LLP has increased the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) solicitors by 6.5% from £61,000 to £65,000.

News

Legal training providers call for government to protect solicitor apprenticeships amid funding cuts

BARBRI and Damar Training are urging the government to consider the impact that withdrawing levy funding for some level 7 programmes could have on access to the legal profession.

News

Government announces cash injection for criminal legal aid

The UK government has announced a £24 million injection of cash into police station and youth court fees, marking the “start of the government’s work to support the sustainability of the justice system both now and in future”.

Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

Beginner's Guide

Videos

"Where should I start?"

Useful content!

About the legal sector

More insights

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Podcasts

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