Legal Work Experience for Law Students

28 February 2024

Vacation Schemes/Mini-Pupillages

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.

Where to apply for vacation schemes / mini-pupillages

• Individual law firms’ websites detail when their vacation schemes will take place and also application deadlines, so it is always best to do some research around what firms and practice areas you are interested in before applying.
• Individual barrister chambers will also have their mini-pupillage dates and deadlines available on their websites, as well as all information on how to apply. Again, it is recommended to do some research around the different chambers and areas of law you are interested in before applying.

Pro Bono Volunteering

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.

Where to find pro bono opportunities

• The Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre (QMLAC) allows you to volunteer as either a note-taker or a student advisor. You will get the opportunity to either sit in or work on real-life client cases under the supervision of qualified lawyers. I was a note-taker in my first year of uni and it was fascinating to see how the legal theory I was learning in class was put into practical context. As a student advisor you will develop essential legal skills such as interviewing clients and drafting letters of advice, all of which is beneficial for a future career in law.
• The Queen Mary Pro Bono Society offers various placement opportunities for its members throughout the year. I had a pro bono placement with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) and the experience was invaluable in allowing me to network with lawyers and gain a deeper insight into their firm and the legal field.

Virtual Work Experience

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.

Where to find virtual work experience

• Forage – an online platform where you can explore programmes created by different law firms in a variety of practice areas that interest you. You will receive a certificate at the end of the programme to add to your CV or LinkedIn.
• Examples of law firms who offer virtual work experience include Allen & Overy, Slaughter and May, Latham & Watkins, Bird & Bird etc.

Insight Days / Workshops

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.

Where to find insight days and workshops

• Individual firms’ websites will often detail any upcoming open days and details on how to apply. These can be in person or virtual.
• The QM Law Society offers various insight events by law firms throughout the year. These include case studies, dinner with a Magic Circle firm, CV and interview workshops etc. One of the events I attended was a disputes case study with Herbert Smith Freehills, and it was interesting to hear about how the firm approaches different cases and the work involved in advising and representing their client.

Mooting

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.

Where to find and attend moots

• The QM Mooting Society offers informal mooting opportunities which allows you to gain mooting experience and practice.
• The George Hinde Moot is an internal competition overseen by the Mooting Society and is open to all law students from beginners to those who are more experienced. There are six rounds, which are judged by academics, barristers, and members of the judiciary, who provide all competitors with feedback.

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!