Law is a notoriously competitive field, and as a student it can be overwhelming to navigate the various work experience that is available. Second year law student, Yinghan Ye, shares her top tips and advice for gaining work experience while studying.
Vacation schemes typically last between one week and a month, and during this time you will meet partners, associates and trainees and learn more about life as a solicitor in a law firm as well as the culture of the firm you are at. You will be exposed to real life cases and will have the opportunity to shadow lawyers and sit in on client meetings and observe them giving legal advice. Vacation schemes are invaluable for gaining a deeper understanding of the skills and qualities a particular law firm is seeking and how they apply in practice.
Lawyers often do pro bono work where they provide free legal advice to those who are unable to afford help. It is the perfect way to gain a valuable insight into the world of practice and it will equip you with the practical skills needed as a lawyer, all while giving back to the community.
Virtual work experience allows you to complete similar tasks to the kind you would undertake at a traditional work experience scheme (such as vacation schemes for solicitors). These might include tasks such as basic legal research, drafting, and providing commercial advice. They are created by individual law firms and each task will be tailored to those firms and the practice areas they specialise in. It is the perfect way to become exposed to the types of tasks you would typically be dealing with daily as a solicitor as well as to demonstrate your interest in a particular firm. The added advantage of being able to complete it in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace means it is flexible to balance alongside uni work and your own commitments.
These events are great for meeting people who work at the law firm you are interested in. You will gain a deeper insight into the culture of the firm and the work that they do. The events typically last a day and often involve talks from partners and associates, a guided tour, opportunities to network, group workshops and advice on the firm’s application process.
A moot is a mock trial around a case where students will present legal arguments. It is designed to give you the closest experience to being in court. Mooting involves completing legal research and analysis, preparing arguments, and then delivering a verbal presentation. It is useful for developing skills to construct and deliver a strong argument and is especially beneficial for those who are interested in becoming a barrister.
Overall, this list details a few work experience opportunities that are available to law students. Exploring a variety of different opportunities will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of different legal practice areas as well as enabling you to develop key skills needed for a career in law.
Good luck on anything you decide to take part in, and I hope you enjoy it!