Law Training Contract – Choosing Where To Do Yours
The key to choosing the right place for you to do your law training contract is to fully research the firms and areas of law so you know the options and you have considered which are the best fit for you. You may already think you know a lot about the legal profession and the firms within it because you have read a few firms’ websites and brochures and may have even spoken to a few at law fairs and open days.
However, making a rash and ill-informed decision at this stage could come back to haunt you down the line. Whilst it is always possible to change firms after your training contract, your options may be limited based on the type of training you received during your training contract. Additionally, if you do not fully research, and think through, your decision about where to do your training contract and why, this will come across to recruiters in your applications and interviews.
The main factors to consider while researching your options are as follows:
Type of Work – It is crucial that you consider which areas of law you would like to get some practical exposure to. It is worth bearing in mind that studying a particular type of law as a student can be very different to practising in that same area of law so you must do your research on the practical side of things. Once you have made your choice, ensure you target firms who can give you experience in those areas. Bear in mind that you may not always get to choose the areas of law you will work in during your training contract and also that this may be affected by the size of the firm and the number of other trainees. Firms’ recruitment materials will often give a feel for what type of work would typically be available to trainees.
Type of Clients – As well as the type of work, you should also think through what sort of clients you might like to get experience in working for. Do you want to do work for large blue chip clients where you are unlikely to get very much direct client contact or would you prefer to work for smaller commercial clients or individuals where you are likely to get more direct contact and be able to more directly help them yourself.?
Staff – Another very important factor to consider when deciding where to fulfill your training contract is the size of the firm you enter. Would you like to be one trainee solicitor of many or one among just a few other trainees? Do you want to work with a large number of varied colleagues, perhaps with many nationalities under one roof, or belong to a small team where you can build strong relationships?
Geographical Location – One factor that’s always a hot topic among those in the legal profession is the balance between work and personal life. This can often be affected by the location of where you work. For instance, working in London will likely mean a very hectic lifestyle and long commute, while working in the regions might offer more in terms of the quality of life. These factors can be subjective so you will have decide for yourself what affect, if any, living in a particular location for the duration of your training contract would have on your life.
Other Considerations – In addition to the factors mentioned earlier, many law firms offer perks such as overseas placements, gym memberships, and travelcard loans in London just to name a few. These perks should be nothing more than a secondary consideration but they may help you make a decision between two or three very similar firms.
If you are seeking to become a trainee solicitor and secure legal work experience and/or a law training contract follow these links for more information