Legal & Law Careers

What is law?

The law industry is HUGE. It’s there to help our society function within law. Think of it as a massive network where lawyers, paralegals, judges, and legal consultants work together to provide justice, resolve disputes, and help people and businesses navigate complex rules.

Law firms, government agencies, corporate legal departments, courts and more all work together to create spaces where people can seek legal advice, protect rights and ensure fairness.

The legal industry offers diverse career paths that combine problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. There are several branches of law you could find yourself working in. These can include:

• Civil 

• Corporate 

• Criminal

• Entertainment

• Environmental

• Family 

• Public interest

Now you know how diverse the law industry is, you’re probably wondering how to get experience within the field and make it your chosen career. Let’s explore.

How do I get a job in law?

There’s more than one way to secure a career in law and the best way to do that is with work experience. Whether you’re getting ready to graduate or about to finish your GCSEs, a route into this industry is waiting for you.

Click below to find out more about each one:

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

It all depends on the route you take. You can expect any law degree, apprenticeship or training to last around five to six years. If you’re training to become a paralegal, this can take you between one and two years.

You’ll spend a lot of time perfecting your craft through gaining stellar work experience, learning from and meeting with industry experts, and working towards a lasting career.

Realistically, you’ll never stop learning. As the industry constantly changes, you'll need to maintain your continuing competence to stay at the forefront of your profession. This means reflecting regularly on your practice, identifying room for improvement and doing what you need to do to keep your skills sharp.

The Legal Services Board is responsible for overseeing the regulation of all lawyers in England and Wales, with eight separate regulators for the different types of lawyers on a day-to-day basis. These are:

• The Solicitors Regulation Authority

• The Bar Standards Board

• CILEx Regulation

• The Council for Licensed Conveyancers 

• The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg)

• The Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB)

• The Master of the Faculties

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Do jobs in law pay well?

If you’re at the work experience level you could earn around £19,000 pro rata if you’re on a summer internship or vacation scheme. As an apprentice you could earn a salary between £21,000 and £23,000 per year. If you’re a graduate, you’ll earn a salary of between £30,000 and £55,000 in your first year.

Once you’re fully qualified and depending on your route, you could potentially see salaries reaching £150,000+ per year. Especially if you’re a solicitor or barrister.

Can non-law students work in law?

100%. Coming from a non-law background can be an advantage, as law firms look for well-rounded people with a range of skills.

Paralegal roles don’t need a law degree, however many employers will look for legal and paralegal training on your CV.

The route for aspiring lawyers who haven’t studied a law degree at university has changed. Before you’d have to complete a Graduate Diploma in Law (DGL) or Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) but these have largely been replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

However, there are still loads of courses on offer to help you prep for the examinations, especially if you’re taking the non-traditional law route.

What careers are there in law?

There’s so much more to the industry than a power suit and bend’n’snap! Budding lawyers can begin careers as solicitors, barristers, and legal or paralegal executives. Alternatively, you could use your law experience to chase a job in another sector, like business or finance.

It's essential to consider what kind of legal professional, or 'lawyer', you want to be early on in your career. This can help you gain those all-important training contracts or pupilage applications.

Sold? We have loads of legal and law jobs available right now. Get started below.