#training contracts

[askacambridgestudent]

Congrats on your TC Scarlett!! Are you in second or third year? Do you mind talking about how to get work experience for law whilst at Cambridge? I'm a history offerholder thinking of doing the GDL and of the best way to start off in terms of extra curriculars, work experience, when to start applying for vac schemes, etc. Congrats again and thanks so much to both of you for running this blog- I sometimes just browse it for fun when I'm bored😂

Thank you so much! I used to do the browsing thing too back when I was an offer holder, so I totally relate haha.

I just finished second year. I only really started thinking about commercial law at the end of my first year, so you’ve already got a bit of a head start in terms of planning. 

Extra-curriculars: there are a bunch of things you could do -- they don’t have to be related to law, but getting involved with the law society/mooting will definitely help to tick the demonstrated interest in law box that’ll be key for you as a non-law student. I didn’t really get involved with the law soc at all, but it’s good to get involved with something -- at vac scheme/TC interviews, they’ll tend to ask you what you do in your free time, so it’s good to be able to talk about some of the clubs that you’re in or activities that you do. Also, positions of responsibility really add to your application -- they make great talking points both in your application (where you can use them to show how great your organisation/attention to detail etc is) and in your interview (where they provide great fodder for answers to competency questions). I had a lot of positions of responsibility from my last year of school, and not very many from my first year at uni, but yeah, it’s great to get involved where you can! All this being said, though, your grades are definitely still key, so make sure that you’re balancing your time well.

Oh, also, this totally isn’t necessary, but if you can get involved in something with a bit of an international element to it, like Model UN, or a language club or something, fab. Most of the work done by the big firms is cross-border, so they’re looking for people with an international mindset.

Work experience: again, lots of things. Definitely take a look around firm websites now-ish/early in Michaelmas to see if you can apply for any freshers events. Many of these will be for law students, but they may have some for non-lawyers as well. These are pretty great for getting to know different firms (and will therefore help you a lot when it comes to vac scheme applications) and also for demonstrating an interest in law.

You’ll definitely need something on your CV for the long summer vacation between first and second year. I wouldn’t worry too much if you can’t get anything law-related -- something generic and business-y is fine, because you can twist the skills you used/learned in lots of ways. Stuff that involves research for a company is always great and very easy to adapt to fit a law application. If you can get something law-related, that’s great, and will definitely help give you an insight into the business. I did three internships last summer: one at a fashion corporation, two at a law firm (one large, international firm that I’m now on a vac scheme for, and one small local firm in the city I live in) -- you don’t need to do that many, but it’s definitely good to be busy.

Getting stuff for the summer after first year can be a bit tough because most places don’t really take you until you’re a penultimate year student, so try putting out feelers among family and friends. You may be able to shadow them, or they may be able to hep you find something! 

Applying for vac schemes: do it in second year, and try to get them in as early as possible. Some firms recruit on a rolling basis, while others do block recruitment (so they wait for all the applications to come in, and then start interviewing/giving out places), but regardless, it’s good to get them over and done with. I did mine in stages -- so I started with the seven that I was most keen on and got those in by late October, and then did the remaining four that I wasn’t massively keen on in late November/early December. Funnily enough, I didn’t make it to interview for any of the last four firms, whereas I got at least to the first stage of interviews for five out of the first seven. 

Also, quick note: the careers service puts on some fab events -- you can find their schedule on their website. I’d definitely recommend going to the ones that interest you. Go to the big solicitor’s fair that they put on in October -- it’s amaaaazing, and you can really have a good chat with the reps for different firms (particularly if you go before the crowds arrive). The careers advisors are also amazing and provide great CV advice -- I went to see one at the beginning of second year, and he provided a lot of guidance on vac scheme applications!

Hope that helped! It’s a stressful process, but it does pay off!

[expatesque]

If you hadn't secured a tc, what would you have done next?

freaked out – the not having a job thing is compounded by being international, so I wouldn’t have been able to stay in the UK unless I had a job lined up. I probably would have applied like mad to any job still open so that I could stay in the UK.

If it helps, most people I know who applied for TCs in 3rd year also applied for what we affectionately call a ‘panic masters’ – the classic ‘shit I have no idea what to do with my life and I don’t really have a strong resume oh fuck I guess I’ll just do a Masters and delay having to make any life choices until later.’ That way if you don’t get any jobs, you’re still doing something the next year – I have seen people facing the endless maw of unemployed life and it was not pretty. Having a plan, any plan, is highly recommended. 

[expatesque]

Hi, a fellow future lawyer here, hoping for some advice :) I am starting the GDL in London in autumn, and will be receiving a living stipend like you did (+ getting some help from family). It's still not a lot of money though (<3 London prices), and I was wondering how you managed to survive the GDL financially? Are you just that loaded (sorry, no other way to put it), did you live in Zone 5+, or do you have any helpful wisdom to share? :)

I have been financially independent from my parents from 17. To survive during the GDL, I worked a full time job the summer before my GDL to save money. I then chose the 2-day a week option during the GDL and worked the other three days a week (nannying). I also lived with my boyfriend so we split the cost of our room (and also had a roommate, 1 beds are really expensive compared to 2 beds). I also lived on a really intense budget – but I managed to live in zone 1 and take a trip to Italy. So it’s definitely possible, but you have to be really strict with yourself. 

So the keys really are 1. Choose the fewest number of days available 2. Get a job (nannying is really good, well paid and usually flexible on days, tutoring is anther good choice if you can get enough customers), and 3. Have a very intense budget and stick to it. 

Here’s my budget from my GDL. There’s notes on the bottom so make sure to take a look at those. Good luck!

[expatesque]

you probably get a million qs like this but what degree are you getting? I'm really interested in law and did some research about obtaining a degree in the UK but I couldn't find anything definitive like the JD here in the US. could you explain it briefly? as someone who already has a BA I'd love to hear what you're doing!

Right so this complicated so under the cut:

First thing: there’s two different types of lawyers in the UK, Solicitors and Barristers. There’s quite a few differences between the two but the main division is that Barristers argue in court and Solicitors don’t. Solicitors handle international commercial law so if you want law like you see on The Good Wife or Suits, that’s a Solicitor. Becoming a Barrister in the UK is really different and not very practical as an international so this answer will only discuss becoming a Solicitor (which is what I’m doing). 

So the process is very different in the UK: it’s based on a 2 part process -  1: education. 2: training. 

1. Education - You can study law as an undergrad in the UK but if you didn’t do that, you do something called the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law). It’s a one year course that covers all the basics of UK law. Despite the fact that that sounds intense, it’s actually pretty easy. There’s more details in this tag on that. After the GDL, you do an LPC. Everyone studying to become a solicitor in the UK, whether they did law in undergrad or not, has to do the LPC. I’m on the course at the moment, it’s much more about the practical side of the law (how to fill out X form, how to prepare a case management bundle, etc). Again, not particularly hard. 

2. Training - Following the LPC, you have two years of training. A firm has to agree to train you and commit to fulfilling certain requirements. Additionally, as an international, they have to sponsor your visa which is a very expensive and complicated process. Firms pay you while you’re training but it’s a reduced rate compare to what you’ll earn once you’re qualified (so you earn around £45k/year as a trainee, you earn about double that upon qualification). 

Once you finish the education + the two years of training, you’re a lawyer! So it’s not like in the US where you get a JD and that’s it, it’s a multi step process here. 

In terms of how all this works, what you need is a Training Contract. That’s when a firm agrees to pay for your courses (GDL + LPC) + a moderate living stipend and commits to doing the training part with you (once you pass the courses). This is a very expensive and risky process without a TC (keep in mind you can pass the courses and still not become a lawyer if no one agrees to train you) so it’s quite rare for anyone to self sponsor their way through – and wouldn’t be at all practical for an international. 

So for getting a TC, you’ll have to apply directly to a UK law firm. Note that applications are mainly closed for this year, they generally open in Sept and close in beginning of Jan. If you’re very quick there may still be a few firms open. The most prestigious UK firms are the Magic Circle ones (wikipedia can give you more on that + looking around the tag), then there’s the big American firms, then there’s the less prestigious Silver Circle, then there’s everyone else. I would guess you’ll have to fly to London to interview, so keep that in mind. Usually there’s only one round of interview though (a whole day long assessment) so you won’t have to keep going back and forth. 

Hope that’s helpful, take a look through the tag and come back if you have anymore questions. Just FYI, I do actually know of someone from the US who did this process without any connection to the UK (like I did my undergrad here, so it made sense to stay here) but you’ll have to convince your interviewers that you intend to stay permanently in London. Good luck!

[suncutribbons]

Catching Up - 100 Days of Productivity

Day 8 - Felt much better after Saturday’s migraine episode. Managed to get the house cleaned from top to bottom (with the exception of my spare room), did a grocery shop and prepped butternut squash, beetroot and goats cheese salads for lunch every day this week.

Day 9 - Monday and back to work. Things in the office are still quite slow as my main clients are still taking summer break. I’m expecting things to pick up from next week onwards, so I spent today trying to get organised so that i’m ready. Inbox is cleared, all the matter trackers are up to date and all my billing is finally updated. 

Focus for this week is to use my spare time more effectively with a focus on training contract applications. Despite working in the corporate department of a large global firm, my commercial awareness is seriously lacking. I’m going to try to make more of an effort to read the papers and listen to the Guardian ‘Today in Focus’ podcasts to keep my awareness up in preparation for starting to make applications in the very near future. 

[expatesque]

I'm staring at the abyss (i.e. the TC), and not so much looking for reassurance as an honest opinion: did your social life change? esp weekday evenings, are you ever able to do anything or is it just a living for the weekend kinda thing? Do you have many non-lawyer friends - do you find that your schedule is v different from theirs?

Oh yeah, massively, completely. 

So right now I never make week day plans unless it’s something really important, and if it is, I make sure and tell my supervisor, and the people I’m working for, at least three days in advance that I have something on X day, and I’m trying to get out for it. Of course, you have to frame it like ‘so if there’s anything I can do ahead to make that happen, just let me know’ (because you don’t get let out just for having for social obligations, and it doesn’t always work). Even on weekends I’m careful of making plans to be honest. 

BUT there’s important caveats here – I’m a commercial lawyer (other types of law tend to be chiller), my firm has a more intense vibe (going silver circle / not top top american will help with this), and I’m in a busy, intense, unpredictable dept (anything advisory will tend to be, if not chiller, than at least predictable. My pals in, say, competition work every weekday until like 9 or so but rarely have to stay later or get out earlier. I completely bounce between a few days of 2am and a few days of like 6:30 (okay this seat has been pretty bad, more like 8:30) but the issue is I have no control / can’t predict when it’ll be a good day or a bad day). 

As for non-lawyer friends, I mean depends on what they do but yeah. Other than like, consultants or IB, most jobs have more predictable hours. And even consultants have more control over their lives. So the biggest struggle has definitely been with not being able to commit to week day plans with friends in other industries, yeah. I try to balance that by making sure to see them at weekends or saying ‘yes, let’s try to meet up this week’ and then texting them if, at around noon, it looks like it might be a chiller one. 

Long story short: I would assume your weekday life is effectively over, yeah. Then if you get a good department or principal and it turns out you can have a weekday life, what a lovely surprise. But I’d assume no, then you can’t be disappointed. 

[This can be super isolating btw (esp in combination with the fact that you can be too tired to do things on weekends) so make sure to take care of yourself -- build good habits, take time for yourself during the week (I use before work and lunch times), keep up your other interests, etc.]

[expatesque]

Is it common to have such a negative experience with the ~lawyer life~? Are there some (many? most? few?) who actually enjoy it and/or find it fulfilling?

Of the… 30 or so trainees of my intake who I’m close enough with to know how they’re actually finding it, 2 like it. My friend who’s a 4th seater says about half is intake was on reduced hours due to mental/physical health problems caused by the atmosphere. My best friend at a different firm goes home to her white remote family house nearly every weekend because it doesn’t have cell service and it’s the only way she can get any time off (and she doesn’t even get on with her family).

None of that’s to say that there’s going to be a massive exit from the law of any of the intakes of my firm or my friend’s – law naturally tends to attract risk averse people and it’s always less risky to stay in the hell you know than find something else. I’m sure my intake’s retention rate will be just as good as ever – but fair warning, firms cook those numbers, they’re never accurate (between not counting people who get told early they don’t have a qualification option and therefore don’t ‘apply’, to counting everyone they give offers to as opposed to everyone who actually stays, all retention rates need to be taken with a serious pinch of salt).

So no, I don’t think it’s actually uncommon to hate being a trainee in a serious way – but it is common to not want to talk about it, to keep feeding the lies that you were told in recruitment and just put up with the culture because (a) the pay is really good in low levels and it seems unfair to complain (b) it’s not polite/cool to admit you have an awful job © the work does get less shit as you move up the food chain (d) you start getting to delegate to trainees and can make them do all your crappy work (e) the culture fundamentally fucks up your idea of what normal is if you spend too much time there (the amount of cheery 'you’ll get used to it’s you get when you’ve been in passed 3am is disgusting).

I just think it’s a thoroughly toxic atmosphere where the line between work/life isn’t just blurred, it’s obliterated. And the work isn’t interesting or important enough to justify that (and once you get more senior, neither is the pay).

[expatesque]

hi! i'm a law student in continental europe and i'd like to compare experiences. so, could you shine a light on what it's actually like to work at an mc firm? what's an usual day like schedule-wise etc? what kind of tasks are you assigned? do younger associates get along or is the atmosphere very competitive? i realise that experiences vary a lot by firms but i'm interested in your perspective

I’m probably not the best placed to answer this – turns out, I sorta hate law. So take everything I say with that in mind; I am likely going to veer to the side of unfairly negative. 

Day to day schedule is super variable by firm, group, matter, and even principal within group. I think the key phrase is something my previous principal said to me: at an MC, a large part of what our clients pay for is for us to be available at all times, whenever they like us (whether that’s midnight, saturday at noon, or while you’re on holiday). 

Tasks: often boring and repetitive but then, most of practical corporate law is expect for research. It’s expected that being a junior in most jobs involves a fair amount of basic, boring things (so for us that's organizing signings, dealing with originals, drafting based on precedents, etc) – the more depressing thing is how boring what the associates and MA’s are doing (drafting is just not interesting. It’s just not. I’d rather watch paint dry – and partners’ work is only cool when it involves fancy lunches). 

The atmosphere is a bit… it’s super variable group to group, largely based on what the ratio of partners to juniors in the group is like – if there’s less places for partners and more people gunning for it, yes you tend to get a more competitive vibe. I would say that a ‘we’re all in this together, go team’ feeling is fairly rare. 

Honestly, I feel the worst bit is the general vibe of ‘I was treated badly as a trainee so now I’m going to train you poorly’ combined with ‘You must be available at all times because that’s what the client is paying for.’ There’s a general disrespect for people having lives which is depressing. But the worst bit is that there is not a single person at the firm whose life I look at and go ‘I want that.’