The Little Careers Book

XX It’s best to do a law degree if you want to be taken seriously. XX If you don’t do a law degree, firms prefer Historians or Classicists. ࢚࢚ It is possible to qualify as a solicitor without a degree. It takes 2-3 years longer, but saves money on university fees. ࢚࢚ There are lots of routes into law, from work-learning schemes (Trailblazer Apprenticeship, CILEx course) to an undergraduate law degree or another degree followed by a law conversion course (GDL). ࢚࢚ There is no particular advantage to a law degree versus any other degree plus GDL other than saving some time and money. ࢚࢚ It is increasingly common nowadays to start as a paralegal or legal executive and then become a qualified lawyer. ࢚࢚ I have known musicians, psychologists, theologians, engineers and even a nurse change careers and become a qualified lawyer. ࢚࢚ With a few notable exceptions, you don’t have to have straight A*s and a first degree to be kick off a legal career. ࢚࢚ Work experience and a good understanding of the legal profession sits equally alongside academic achievement. ࢚࢚ Getting a law training contract after completing formal education is fiercely competitive, but prior work experience with a firm can be an advantage. ࢚࢚ Choose your employer carefully and don’t be taken in by the glossy brochure of happy trainees or the sculpture water fountain in the building lobby. ࢚࢚ Legal qualifications do not travel particularly well, although there are opportunities abroad for UK-qualified lawyers in some sectors. MYTHS TRUTHS XX Being a lawyer requires an encyclopaedic knowledge of the statutes and cases. XX You have to be ruthless like lawyers in US TV shows. XX You must be able to shout down and out-debate opponents. XX If your writing skills are poor, someone else will proof your work for you. XX Lawyers are responsible for sorting out clients’ problems and fighting their corner. ࢚࢚ You need to be able to absorb and assimilate a lot of information quickly. ࢚࢚ You need to be good at communicating complex facts simply and clearly. ࢚࢚ When researching legal points, working on legal documents or developing an argument, precision, accuracy, and attention to detail are vital. ࢚࢚ To attract clients and build effective client relationships, you need empathy and good people and listening skills. ࢚࢚ You need good presentation and speaking skills to chair a meeting or contribute to a conference call. ࢚࢚ You must have excellent team working skills in order to work with lots of different personalities and to tap into the strengths of others. ࢚࢚ Being a good lawyer is about influencing people subtly, using persuasion and personality rather than assertiveness. ࢚࢚ Clients don’t just want to know the law; they want advice on what action to take based on a pragmatic approach to risk and a client’s needs. ࢚࢚ Language skills can be an advantage in some roles. MYTHS TRUTHS PATHWAYS TO ENTRY KEY SKILLS