How legal eagles can be a soaring success
Yo u CAN be sponsored by major law firms while you are training to be a solicitor.
Laura White, 27, from oxfordshire, completed her Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) last June and is now on a Legal Practice Course (LPC) MSc at The university of Law’s Guildford centre.
Charles Russell Speechlys has sponsored Laura throughout her GDL and LPC studies.
Before joining The university of Law, which has bases in eight towns and cities, Laura gained work experience with different law firms.
‘The LPC is different to the GDL, because it is much more practical and you are learning really valuable skills,’ she says.
‘It teaches you how to apply and advise on the law based on your client’s objectives.’
Laura graduated with a first-class BA Hons degree in English language and linguistics from York university in 2011 and then stayed on to study for an MA in Phonological Development in Childhood. She then worked as a freelance publisher for educational publishing house Pearson.
Though she had been interested in law while studying for her A-levels at Lord Williams’s school in Thame, oxfordshire, she is glad she opted to study for a non-legal degree first and believes that studying linguistics taught her how to analyse language carefully — a skill she will need in her law career. ‘This term, we chose our elective modules, and I’m studying family, private client, and employment law,’ she says. ‘Private client law primarily involves drafting wills and estate planning, so it’s crucial to understand fully the client’s circumstances and wishes.
‘ There’s a lot of tax involved, too, so you need to be confident with numbers.
‘ I want to become an expert, and I hope to become a partner one day. I look forward to being able to establish long working relationships with clients.’
Laura recommends that students who are interested in law should follow her example and gain handson experience of the profession first.
MY ADvICE to other graduates hoping to pursue a legal career would be to get work experience to start with, no matter for how short a time, so that you can ensure that you’ve understood what being a lawyer involves.
‘When it comes to studying, you need to be prepared to work hard.
‘It’s a competitive industry to enter, so persist. And always try to get feedback and heed the advice given to you — it will help you continue to build your skills and experience.’
For more information about The University of Law, log on to law.ac.uk