2-year LLB getting into the Scottish legal profession. Kay Barbour Careers Adviser

Transcription

1 2-year LLB getting into the Scottish legal profession Kay Barbour Careers Adviser

2 What we ll cover. Some traineeship stats Legal recruitment timetable Your timetable for action in each year The Law School careers web page and blog Making the most of the Law Fair How the Careers Service can help you!

3 Scots Law applications timetable First year vacation experience Apply for vacation schemes with larger firms Make speculative applications to smaller firms, fiscal offices, inhouse legal departments Final Year Traineeship applications Sept-Oct larger firms, GLSS 2 years in advance Jan/Feb Procurator Fiscal service for 21 months ahead Throughout year small-medium sized firms Vacation work/experience Criminal and civil legal aid, councils, law centres, CAB etc Diploma in professional legal practice apply early S2 Diploma year During and after Diploma - smaller firms, including criminal defence, rural practice, law centres, councils and other in-house

4 The Context - Society traineeship figures, 2012 Key Factors The number of training contracts commenced in 2012 is 98% of those commenced in % of traineeships commenced in 2012 were in Glasgow or Edinburgh 9% of trainees are In House trainees 60% of traineeships are at firms with 11 or more partners 323 females and 188 males were admitted as solicitors in 2012 In total, 472 commenced in 2012 RESEARCHING OPPORTUNITIES

5 Year one - what you need to do Research legal sector which areas interest you most? Attend Law Fair and talks 18th Sept Use info resources linked from the Law School careers web pages Get legal-related experience: Attend talks on finding work exp at Law Fair, or in CPLS. Attend drop in or book careers appointment Apply for vacation placements with larger law firms - many closing dates Dec-Jan. Send speculative applications to smaller firms/legal org.s Volunteer, e.g. CAB, Scottish Child Law Centre, witness support Mooting

6 Year two Continue with research into the legal profession Apply for traineeships with larger firms many closing dates in October, or before! Attend Law Fair at start of Semester 1 Check SAGE vacancy database, LawScotJobs, press and notice boards for traineeship adverts Apply for Diploma after Christmas forms distributed by Centre for Professional Legal Studies Construct targeted speculative CV and cover letter. Send to relevant firms and organisations, for experience & traineeships Use networking to generate opportunities

7 Diploma year Depending on your interests. Apply to the smaller law firms, public sector, criminal and civil legal aid firms, in house, rural practice etc, which recruit in diploma year. Respond to adverts Speculative applications CV with diploma tutors Continue to apply for larger commercial firms/glss, recruiting early S1, for 2 yrs ahead

8 What do Law Firms look for? We are looking for evidence of - communication skills interpersonal skills sound judgement and common sense initiative teamwork As most applicants have similar academic records, it s vital to use your extra curricular experiences to your advantage. Work experience, study abroad and involvement in voluntary groups, university clubs and societies etc. should be highlighted

9 Support in the Law School Law Fair Weds 18th th Sept Playfair Library, 1-4pm Lunchtime talks in CPLS - law careers webpages info, advice, downloads - law careers blog news, comment and information careers service website Plus Regular Drop-in sessions in the Law School - some bookable- advertised on Law Careers Blog/plasma etc

10 Further Careers Service support Reference folders in the Careers Service information on different areas of law destinations of Diploma students legal interview feedback forms etc Law firm directories Talks on applications and interviews Bookable appointments with Advisers Application and interview advice via web and paper Practice (mock) interviews Take-away materials 3 rd floor, Main Library Building George Sq

11 Make the most of the Law Fair 28 employers & organisations from Scots legal profession in one place Research the firms/org.s attending: Choose who you particularly want to talk to Prep some informed questions - helps you feel more confident when approaching your ideal employer Good idea to visit other stands first to practise technique? Try to avoid approaching largest law firm in country & asking So, who are you?

12 Make the most of the Law Fair (2) Prepare your sales pitch - key points you d want a firm to know about you Bring along a few copies of your CV; some firms may be interested to see it. Stop and browse through the Fair Guide first Try to avoid walking round Fair in group of friends Take notes and follow up if appropriate Will be busy - explore other stands while waiting? Decision-makers will certainly be there!... so model the behaviours of an emerging lawyer

13 Further Careers Service support Reference folders in the Careers Service information on different areas of law destinations of Diploma students legal interview feedback forms etc Law firm directories Talks on applications and interviews Bookable appointments with Advisers Application and interview advice via web and paper Practice (mock) interviews Take-away materials 3 rd floor, Main Library Building George Sq