1. LAW CAREERS SEMINARS for second-year students No. 1, 15th November 2011 Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

2. SEMINAR 1 CHOICES AND CAREER PATHS What are the options open to law graduates? Why your second year is the most important Outline of career paths in the legal profession Professional training courses and funding What to do and when to do it

3. SEMINAR 2 A TASTE OF THE WORLD OF WORK Vacation work - inc. solicitors’ summer schemes; mini-pupillages What past Law graduates from Kent have gone on to - and how they can help you What else can you do with a law degree? Postgraduate academic study (a brief look)

4. SEMINAR 3 MAKING EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS What employers look for in applications – with particular reference to solicitors’ vacation schemes and mini-pupillages How to prepare a CV and covering letter How to complete an application form What to expect at interview

5. SEMINAR 1 - MAKING CHOICES What are the options open to law graduates? Outline of career paths in the legal profession Professional training courses and funding Why your second year is the most important What to do and when to do it

6. WORKING AND STUDYING EMPLOYMENT (PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY) PROFESSIONAL LEGAL STUDIES OTHERS TIME OUT FURTHER ACADEMIC STUDY YOUR CHOICES 35% 4% 33% 11% 6%

7. SOME CAREER PATHS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION Solicitor Barrister Legal executive Paralegal Licensed conveyancer For a detailed look at these and other roles in law, see www.prospects.ac.uk/law_sector.htm

8. MAKING DECISIONS Both require: Proven intellectual ability Excellent communication skills Analytical skills Organisational skills Commercial awareness Determination and commitment Solicitor or barrister?

9. WHAT DO LAWYERS DO? SOLICITORS Work directly with clients to advise them on a wide range of legal matters Prepare cases – researching, drafting etc Work in firms, business and public sector organisations Need good interpersonal and organisational skills BARRISTERS Work as independent, specialist legal advisers and advocates Most are self-employed but work together in sets of chambers Others work in solicitors’ firms, business and public sector organisations Need strong presentation and intellectual skills

10. THE PROS AND CONS … SOLICITORS HAVE: A more structured career Greater security Greater involvement with clients and colleagues and need Commitment to a firm and its culture Team working skills Sociability; adaptability; willingness to conform BARRISTERS HAVE: Greater independence Greater variety Prestige and need Greater personal confidence A willingness to take risks High-level presentational skills Flexibility and tolerance of stress

11. BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER (in a nutshell) (The Vocational Stage) TRAINING CONTRACT OR PUPILLAGE (Practical Experience) QUALIFY! LPC or BPTC LAW DEGREE/GDL (the Academic Stage)

12. BECOMING A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER Some figures: 8098 LPC PLACES 1793 BPTC PLACES 4874 TRAINING CONTRACTS 460 PUPILLAGES 13433 Law grads + c6000 GDL grads Solicitors Barristers

13. THE LPC and BPTC The “Vocational Stage” of training Skills-focused: preparation for practice Coursework, practical assessments and written exams Last for one academic year Available throughout England & Wales Must have the 7 exemption subjects for entry Apply at the beginning of your final year Fees range from approx. £7500 to £16000

14. HOW DO STUDENTS FUND THEIR LAW COURSES?

15. HOW MUCH COULD YOU EARN? Current Law Society minimum salary: £18,590 for trainees in central London and £16,650 for those in other parts of England and Wales Trainee salaries in City firms c£38-39K (more in US firms – up to £50K!)) Newly-qualified salaries typically around £60K (but some US firms offer £90K+) All pupillages are funded to a minimum level of £6K for 6 months Commercial & Chancery sets may offer £25-40K for 12 months - some offer £60K!)

16. WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW Working hard and aiming for a good degree! Thinking about your options Researching different careers and employers Thinking about what you have to offer Getting vacation work experience Noting down deadlines for vac work, training contract, pupillage and course applications

17. USEFUL INFORMATION SOURCES www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteslaw.htm Target Law/Target Work Experience Law The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook Prospects Law Lawyer 2B magazine

18. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK! For “A Taste of the World of Work” Careers Advisory Service Opening hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm