So many questions, so little time…


compelling reason to attend law fairs and open days, and get work experience.


Is the role of solicitors and barristers essentially the same in all law firms and chambers? No. Take solicitors’ firms - the work and lifestyle you’d experience in a large City firm and a small high-street practice are almost incomparable. It’s the same with a London-based commercial barristers’ chambers and a small regional crime chambers. It is therefore vitally important that you find out which type and size of practice would suit you - by doing work experience and speaking to people in the profession. Only by getting first-hand experience and chatting to those in the know can you really start to get a feel for the kind of work you think you’d like and what you'd be good at.


What use is my careers service? Your school or university careers service is a key resource. Some advisers specialise in the legal sector


and are great for checking through work placement and training contract/pupillage applications (or speculative CVs and letters if you’re trying to secure informal work experience). Some also have contacts at local law firms and chambers, so might even be able to help you set up some work shadowing.


How can I find out more? There’s lots of info out there about careers in law. Pick up a copy of The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook (updated every year) from your careers service or a law fair (held at universities in autumn). Fairs are also a great place to speak to recruiters and current trainees/pupils. In addition, check out websites such as LawCareers.Net for news, advice, features and interviews.


Further reading


Got a question Elsie hasn’t answered? Go to www.lawcareers.net/information /oracle to find out if it has come up before or to ask the Oracle direct


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