Career Progression
Figuring out the tricky business of progressing through the ranks as a lawyer can be difficult. Here's a selection of articles to make the process that bit easier.
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5 tips on managing others as a qualified lawyer Hamza Malik Hamza Malik
Managing people is part and parcel of the legal profession. However daunting it may seem at first, there are simple solutions to being an effective manager. Here are five tips to get you started.
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Applying for NQ positions - before you apply Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
Lots of NQ lawyers opt to stay on at the firm in which they qualified, but for various reasons, this isn’t always the case. Maybe you’ve set your sights on working for a different type of firm, or in a different area of law. Maybe your firm doesn’t retain its entire trainee intake, or perhaps you’ve decided against staying there in the long-term. Whatever your reasons for doing so, it could be that you find yourself applying for NQ positions. Before you start sending off applications to every firm under the sun, you should take some time to consider your approach.
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Balancing a law career and family life Kerry Holmes Kerry Holmes
The Law Society, The Bar Council and the Inns of Court all openly acknowledge that parents with law careers face particular challenges because of long hours, heavy workloads and inflexible working practices. The good news is there have been some recent changes for the better.
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Building a Specialisation: How to Choose and Excel in Your Legal Practice AreaElizabeth Beesley Elizabeth Beesley
In the intricate world of law, where complexity often reigns supreme, the concept of specialisation emerges as a beacon of strategic importance for legal practitioners. Specialising in a specific legal practice area transcends mere preference; it is a deliberate choice with far-reaching implications.
This article unravels the significance of specialisation within the legal profession, delving into its multifaceted benefits and transformative impact on lawyers' careers. By showing how specialisation fosters the development of in-depth expertise, enhances credibility, marketability, and earning potential, and ultimately leads to more fulfilling career opportunities, we highlight its pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of legal professionals' success.
Through specialisation, lawyers not only navigate the complexities of their chosen field with finesse but also elevate the quality of legal services provided to clients, thereby epitomising the essence of excellence in the legal realm.
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Career progression: a comprehensive guide to reaching senior partner Jan Hill Jan Hill
Many firms are developing alternative career paths for lawyers by enhancing the status and compensation of associates, but the career ambition for most solicitors remains the same: to become a partner in their chosen firm. Here is a comprehensive guide of what most can expect from their career.
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Effective Client Management: A Key Skill for Climbing the Legal LadderMegan Hornsby Megan Hornsby
In the dynamic and competitive world of law, success isn't solely measured by legal acumen or courtroom victories; rather, it's often the strength of client relationships that sets exceptional lawyers apart. Effective client management isn't just a desirable trait; it's a fundamental skill that can propel legal professionals towards greater success and advancement within their careers.
In this article, we'll delve into the importance of client management in the legal profession, explore key strategies for building and maintaining strong client relationships, and highlight how mastering this skill can open doors to career progression and fulfilment.
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Embracing Legal Technology: Future-Proofing Your Career in LawLewis Ogg Lewis Ogg
Legal technology is a wide-ranging term that encompasses a variety of software, tools, and platforms designed to streamline legal processes, enhance efficiency, and improve client services.
Technology is growing in importance within the legal industry as client expectations of services transform traditional practices, requiring the next generation of practitioners to be adaptable to technological advancements.
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Four effective methods for bringing in clients within the law industry Hamza Malik Hamza Malik
Ultimately, commercial law is a business, and like all businesses, clients are needed for it to thrive. There are now more legal options than ever before—so firms need to obtain influential and significant clients in order to stand out. Here’s how you contribute to building your firm’s client base.
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From Trainee to Partner: A Roadmap for Career Progression in LawElizabeth Beesley Elizabeth Beesley
The dynamic journey of career progression within the legal profession, from the initial steps as a trainee solicitor to the pinnacle role of partner in a law firm, is marked by challenges, opportunities, and significant milestones that shape the trajectory of a legal career.
In this article, we'll emphasise the importance of career planning in navigating this path, highlighting the need for setting clear goals and developing a strategic roadmap for advancement. We will also cover topics such as gaining experience, honing skills, networking, and seizing opportunities for growth, empowering you to chart your own course towards success and fulfilment in the legal profession.
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How much will I earn as a newly qualified solicitor? Robert Greene Robert Greene
Money, money, money. Aspiring solicitors may profess a love for advocacy or problem-solving, but if there is one thing that gets most hopeful lawyers talking it’s salary. And more specifically, how much they might earn as a solicitor.
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How much will I earn as a partner in a law firm?Alex May Alex May
The short answer may be a lot, but the long answer gives realistic advice on what to expect based on firm type/size, as well as explaining the circumstantial element to this; partners take a share of the firm’s profit, so their salary is likely to change year-on-year.
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How much will I earn as a senior associate?Jack Medforth Jack Medforth
Salary is often an under-discussed topic in the legal profession, but here we'll try to provide some clarity, specifically around the salary of a senior associate in a UK law firm.
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How much will I earn as an associate?Thomas Cserep Thomas Cserep
Associate salaries in the UK are contingent on a variety of factors. Here, we examine all the factors that influence how much you could earn as an associate at a law firm.
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How to ask for a pay rise Shermaine Williams Shermaine Williams
There aren’t many people who would admit that they don’t want to be successful, and many are prepared to work hard to get there. Accordingly, there’s no reason not to be properly compensated for a job well done, but this doesn’t mean that appropriate financial reward will come automatically. So what should you do?
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How to progress as a woman in law Kerry Holmes Kerry Holmes
More women than ever are entering the legal profession, but they are still outnumbered in senior roles. You need to be aware of the barriers and prepared for the challenge if you want to achieve your ambitions.
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Managing your money as a solicitor David Carnes David Carnes
You may have learned frugality as a student, but frugality isn’t the same as money management – and it’s unlikely that you’ve learned money-management skills if you’ve never had any money to manage. That state of affairs needs to change, so that you can set the right financial precedents for yourself. Here are some principles to live by.
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Moving in-house: when's the right time to do so? Jan Hill Jan Hill
Working in-house is becoming more and more popular among solicitors in the UK, according to a Financial Times report. These in-house lawyers work in the corporate field, the government legal service (GLS), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the armed forces, local government bodies or numerous charities.
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Navigating Your First Year as a Newly Qualified Solicitor: Essential Steps for New AssociatesElizabeth Beesley Elizabeth Beesley
The journey from trainee to newly qualified solicitor signifies a significant milestone in the legal profession. It symbolises the culmination of rigorous training, academic achievement, and practical experience, leading to the commencement of a new chapter filled with both excitement and challenges.
Navigating the transition into this new role requires careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure a smooth adjustment and successful integration into the dynamics of a law firm.
In this article, we will explore the nuances of this transition and highlight the importance of effectively navigating the initial year as a newly qualified solicitor. As we will see, this period serves as a foundational phase for shaping your career trajectory and establishing credibility within the legal community.
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Nine tips for a better work-life balance as a lawyer Levi Sunner Levi Sunner
We’ve all heard the well-worn stereotype that your law career will completely swallow your personal life. Yet it shouldn’t be this way: in order to function properly, you need to get the balance right. Here’s how to balance your law career with your personal life.
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NQ applications - things to considerBecky Kells, Editor, AllboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllboutLaw
So you’ve just started your fourth seat of your training contract, and the fear about what comes next is starting to set in. Don’t worry - there’s a few things that all NQ lawyers should consider when applying for positions, but so long as you’re smart about it - and do your research - you’ll be in good stead.
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Post-qualification: when and how should I ask for a promotion? David Carnes David Carnes
“How can I get promoted?” is one of the most asked and answered questions in employment literature, and volumes of prefabricated answers have been offered. To get to the heart of the matter, however, you need to try and look at the issue from your employer’s point of view.
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The Path to Equity Partnership: Requirements, Expectations, and StrategiesGeorgia Purcell Georgia Purcell
Are you an aspiring lawyer who one day dreams of becoming an equity partner at a law firm? Ever wondered how you could get there? You’re in the right place! This article will guide you through the requirements, expectations and strategies you need to be aware of if you dream of one day setting out on the path to equity partnership.
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What responsibilities does a partner have?Shermaine Williams Shermaine Williams
Going from being an associate to a partner is a?natural?– albeit significant –?leap and comes with a number of responsibilities.?Understanding?what these are will make it easier to determine whether this is the path you want to take.
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Why admitting weakness could be your biggest strengthAntonia Rubin Antonia Rubin
“What’s your greatest weakness?” is a favourite interview question and can feel like a trick – why would anyone want to discuss their faults? There is no perfect answer, but it can still be used to boost your chances of getting a job. We look at how best to tackle this question.