Generation Hertsmere Schools Careers Fair
On 6 November 2024, Longmores Solicitors took part in Generation Hertsmere, a careers’ fair organised by Hertsmere Borough Council in partnership with The Hertfordshire Careers Hub (Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership) for pupil attending schools in the Borough of Hertsmere.
Miranda Mulligan, Kirsty Adamson, Marija Sukyte and Courteney Wilson from Longmores were there to answer questions about the many routes to gaining a legal qualification from legal secretaries and executives to solicitors and barristers. They also shared ideas about how to match a favourite subject to pursuing a career in the law.
What is your favourite subject?
When thinking about favourite subject or interests there will always be lawyers who specialise in the law connected to it. Our team talked to pupils about how lawyers advise everybody from negotiating contracts for sports’ stars and celebrities to working in government and the Crown Prosecution Service, and helping people buy their first home or write a will. They work in every sector of industry within big companies or in law firms where they look after a range of clients. They represent people who go to court – from minor offences to those facing criminal charges. At every milestone in people’s business and personal lives, legal advice can provide certainty, fairness or justice.
Jobs in the law
As well as jobs that require a legal qualification such as solicitors, barristers and legal executives our team also explained that there are lots of other roles within the legal sector which can be just as rewarding, such as jobs in accounts, archives, compliance, facilities, HR, IT and marketing.
Typical routes to qualification
Advice to pupils was that they would need high grades in at least five GSCSs and two A Levels to pursue a career in law and to think about the ultimate level of qualification they want and choose a route to achieve their goal. Typical routes to a qualification are:
Solicitors
- The new Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE) will become the main way to qualify as a solicitor. The SQE offers a route for those who have a degree and consists of a series of exams and work experience.
Barristers
- After graduating from university you need to complete the Bar Professional Training Course and then a year of training called a pupillage.
Legal Executives and Paralegals
- Not all legal roles require a degree, such as studying with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives to become a Legal Executive or training as a Paralegal.
Where to find more information
These websites are useful for pupils considering jobs in the legal sector, the steps to take to gain the right qualifications and links to vacancies.
