How hard is it to get a training contract with a solicitor after doing your LPC?

TomG22

The short answer, darlingthatsfabulous, is that it is extremely difficult and the competition is fierce. From my experiences, I would suggest that you try to do as much pro bono work as possible - volunteer at your local citizens advice bureau, your local council or at a set of chambers or a firm. If your place of study has a drop in law centre or advice clinic then do that.

Basically you need to stand out to prospective employers and show a commitment to the law - I hope I have not put you off, it is a lot of hard work and you will be disappointed at times, but it is worth it - good luck.

Andy

Mass applications!

It is, I am afraid, the only way to go. I had previous legal experience - 100 apps, 2 interviews!

Get the Training Contract handbook. Work through it. Have a basic template letter which you adapt slightly to each firm (I actually got a rejection letter which said 'I'm really sorry, we don't have any vacancies, but it was nice to receive an application from someone who had obviously bothered to do some basic research about us"). Know what sort of firm you won't work for and don't waste the cost of a stamp applying to them.
Check lawcareers.net - they carry up to date listings of vacancies. Check the Law Society Gazette each week - check the paper version, cos the online updates are a bit bobbins.

Be prepared to move. You don't say where you live, but statistically most TCs are in London. I bit the bullet and moved there for the TC. I would probably have stayed but I wanted my own house and can't afford London prices so I moved away again, but I am still on good terms with people from my TC firm.

If you don't get anything by September, get paralegal work. Don't feel that you have to stay with that firm for a future TC, you can carry on applying for future TCs at other places. Some firms will do a whole 'work 12 months as a paralegal and we might give you a TC thing'. Some of these firms will be lying. Check Rollonfriday.com for insider info and a discussion forum.

And finally, consider other options. Goodness knows, 4 years on from finishing my LPC, if I'd known then how utterly skint I'd still be, despite being a 'professional', I wouldn't have bothered with the 2 years of minimum TC salary. I'm still paying off the LPC loan and will be for at least the next 2 years, so it's not as well paid as you've probably been led to believe. Unless you get into a big firm, at which point you can kiss goodbye to a social life, seeing daylight for most of the year and any personal relationships will probably go down the swanee as well.

I hate to sound like it's all cr@p, but seriously, think long and hard about it, and if you're in any way unsure, get out now whilst you can.

MARIAM S

Hard as hell. I am a Law graduate and i decided to take a gap year before i start my LPC to gain at least 12 months experience which by all means would play a big part in securing a training contract. I suggest you get as much experience as you possibly can. It would not make it easy but rather easier for you to get a TC. you can temp and do all sorts of jobs in law firms. reception cover, admin, paralegal work would all be helpful. And also make sure you keep the contacts and good relations in all the places you work. Never know when you will need them.

Marie

If training only without pay then try Legal Centres Federation if you are in U.K. you get all informations from that office.Good luck

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