Many graduates will have their sights set on a career within a specific legal specialism before they graduate, however for both students who are uncertain, and those who have a fairly clear idea of the route they want to embark on, it is worth considering how well suited you are to various roles. Not only does the nature of the work being undertaken differ vastly from specialism to specialism, but as Legal Cheek recently outlined, the traits of graduates attracted to various areas of law varies too.

Corporate Law – ‘The all-rounder’

Lawyers who specialise in corporate law will find that their work spans across a number of different practices and so they’ll more than likely become familiar faces in the firm, which is perhaps the main reason corporate roles usually attract the sociable type. However, the generalist nature of the field means that you may have to withstand quips from colleagues in highly specialised roles. A key characteristic of the role, as with the majority of legal positions, is stamina.

Real Estate – ‘The communicator’

Although students may be put off by the notoriously hard nature of land law, they should be encouraged to hear that it is incredibly different in practice. The work undertaken by land lawyers is often highly commercial, involving prominent names in the energy field. Lawyers who choose real estate as a specialism will need to be excellent communicators, as explaining the details of land ownership to clients with minimal understanding of the relevant legal intricacies can be particularly challenging.

Litigation – ‘The fighter’

Tenacity is essential for lawyers who want to become successful litigators. As dispute resolution solicitor Henry Sackville Hamilton puts it; “You’ve got to be a particular type of person to want to engage in arguments on other people’s behalf’s day in day out.” Some litigators take a bold, confrontational stance while others opt for a calm and academic approach, however regardless of tactics all dispute solicitors need to be commercially aware. Legal excellence is also key, as litigators live and die by the arguments they establish.

Banking – ‘The adrenaline junkie’

Although most might believe otherwise the principles of banking law are fairly straightforward. Lawyers either act for those lending the money or those borrowing it, and provide them with advice on structuring and strategy. Lawyers wanting to work within the banking specialism should be prepared for negotiations, especially when parties have different bargaining positions. Financial services in general is an incredibly fast paced sector, and banking law is no exception. Having both strong communication skills and a grasp of maths is also essential for banking roles.

Private Client – ‘The people person’

Lawyers wanting to work with private clients will need not only fluency in equity and trusts, but also a preference for working with individuals rather than big name companies. Research ability is vital in this specialism, but perhaps the most important factor is excellent communication skills. Lawyers may find they work for particular clients throughout their professional career, so establishing strong relationships from the offset is key.

For more in depth career advice, check out our career tips pages and make sure you register for one of our career events

Historically the only way into a top law firm was by graduating with a law degree – more than likely from an elite university – and spending two years completing a training contract. However, the new government-backed Trailblazer scheme looks set to challenge the traditional route to becoming a qualified solicitor by creating an entirely new pathway into the profession.

From school to the legal profession

The new school-leaver scheme, which combines part time qualifications with on the job paralegal level work, looks set to carve out a new route into the profession. While some can be completed in as little as two years, others will give students the opportunity to fully qualify as a solicitor in just six years. Unlike many elite institutions which require students to hold three A-levels at A’s or above, legal apprenticeships on the whole only require applicants to hold an average of three C’s. The lower entry requirements will undoubtedly open the door to students from more diverse backgrounds.

From apprentice to lawyer

Global firm, Eversheds, looks set to pioneer the six year apprenticeship, and are now taking applications for 2016 starters. The internationally renowned law firm, which ranks 15th in the UK in terms of revenue, has announced that it will take on eight apprentices in September, all of which will be offered positions with the firm upon qualification. Successful applicants will be paid a starting salary of £15,200 outside London and £17,200 in London, a figure which will increase year on year.

Other firms such as Clyde & Co are offering level 3 trailblazer apprenticeships across the practices in its London, Manchester and Guildford offices. The ‘earn-while-you-learn’ scheme will see apprentices become qualified paralegals in just two years. International law firm DWF also recently announced it would be offering the level three paralegal apprenticeships in its Manchester head office across the firm’s commercial and insurance teams.

The benefits of apprenticeships will undoubtedly be felt by both candidates and employers. Successful applicants will need to be dynamic, tenacious and committed, but in return will receive fully qualified solicitor status without accumulating any of the debt associated with a law degree. While practices are likely to benefit from the increased social diversity that offering a new route into the profession will bring with it.

Want to find out more?

We run career events throughout the year for legal professionals at all stages of their career. Check out our events pages for more information

OK, not everyone wants to be a partner. But, for many solicitors, a partnership is the logical reward for the years of study and hard work that comes with a commitment to the legal profession.

But what do you need to know about the partnership experience, how can you prepare for it and how can you maximise your chances of attaining it? Here are Clayton Legal’s five top tips:

Are you ready?

Long ago, perhaps when most solicitors wore pinstriped suits and hats during all their waking hours, it may have been true that admission to a partnership meant a life of clubbable lunches and rounds of golf. Those days have, unfortunately, been consigned to the rubbish bin of history. Partners now need to justify their position and reward on a daily basis. And if you are not ready for this, then perhaps you need to wait for the time when you are.

Are you in the right place?

Working for a firm and effectively being a shareholder in it are two very different experiences. This is a major financial, commercial and personal commitment so ask yourself if this really is the right environment to make it in. Do you have complete faith in the direction the firm is taking and its ability to gain and retain clients? Will you be able to get along with your partners on both a social and business level? Do believe they are not just competent lawyers but also have the commercial acumen to sustain and develop the practice? These are all questions best answered before rather than after you find yourself at the partnership table.

Have a Plan

A partnership doesn’t just fall into your lap because you have managed not to get fired. Think through and implement a strategy – a series of timed steps tailored to your target firm – your current one or one better attuned to your goals – that will bring you to the inner circle by a defined deadline.

Get and retain business

Of course you need to be a highly capable lawyer to merit entry to partnership, but now legal professionals are judged as much on their business development skills as they are on their technical ones. A masterful understanding of Rylands v Fletcher or Donoghue v Stevenson is unlikely to get you to any partnership table, and even if it did it wouldn’t keep you there very long unless you could also bring in new clients.

Play the game

Partnerships, whether we like it are not, are political environments so recognise this and act accordingly. Network, support, socialise, fit in. Remember that your potential new partners will not just be thinking how clever you are and how good you are with clients but whether you are the sort of individual they will be comfortable working with, possibly for the rest of their careers.

We are presenting at this year’s Legalex Show on the skills needed for 2017 – don’t miss what will be an insightful and informative presentation.