Best Five Factors to Consider in Choosing a Training Contract Firm
Drill Areas
This is absolutely one of the most crucial factors for you to weigh up as part of the process for choosing a training contract firm.
There is a big discrepancy between studying the law and practicing it. As a law student, it is easy to believe that what you learn at university will measure up to the workplace. You may not find the books and lectures of a particular subject especially interesting, but the same subject may be much more dynamic and exciting when you are out in the tract and working on real cases.
Whilst the larger firms may have departments that conceal all drill areas, each department will be a different size and carry its own honor within the diligence. Whether you are looking to work in Corporate, Real Estate, Finance, Litigation, Employment, Incentives or Competition, doing your research about the different departments within your potential firms will help you choose the best ones to apply to. It will also render you with invaluable credibility when it comes to the interrogation stage. You will likely not be given the direct combination of seats that you would like in your Training Contracts. However, you can’t go too far wrong if you have chosen a firm whose major rehearse areas match those that you are fascinated in.
Client Base
The biography of a firm mostly represents to the biography of its clients. Some people prefer to work with high biography organizations, but will usually have to contend with dealing with people from varying levels within the organization. Smaller clients give you a chance to work more directly with the key people and your input will be more visible.
Size
The practice areas and client base of a firm are very good predictors of its size. Firms range from commercial law practices working with major global corporations to high-street firms more approachable to the general public. Of course, there are many excuses to the rule. Match intimately so you won’t be surprised later on.
Large firms bring their own liability as well benefits. The larger a firm is, the more likely it is to take on a greater number of trainees. A broad biography firm can bring your CV strong brand value. On the other hand, if you are working for a smaller firm, there will probably be fewer trainees. This means that you may have more interaction with eligible solicitors at different levels within the firm.
Location
For most training contract applicants, the choice boils down to the simple question: “Do I work in London, or do I work for a local regional firm?”
This is something of a individual choice, with implications that will affect your quality of life and your career. The largest firms are based in London and the legal market which circles the capital’s financial services industry is one of the most profitable in the world. This determine into higher average pay packets for London solicitors. Aside from the careers benefits to choosing London, trainees can enjoy all the social and cultural activities that the cosmopolitan city has to offer.
However, the cost of living is higher in London and you will have to content with the traffic and rush hour crushes on the tube. Working hours are often longer at London firms and you may find a more attractive work-life balance at firms outside of the capital. The choice, as always, is yours.
Training Constitution
Traditional law training contract organization place trainees in fixed placement periods in different departments. Yet, there are variations in terms of the placement period, number of departments to be turned through and the amount and type of work completed in each department. If you are not sure about which practice area you want to work in when you qualify, you may want to request to firms which will place you in many different departments during your training contract.
Training Contracts UK are tailored for graduates who wish to qualify as a solicitors in England and Wales. It is is compulsory for anyone qualifying with a law degree and for anyone qualifying with a non-law degree. Training Contract Applications are designed to make candidates think very hard about themselves and their suitability to the firm and role as a solicitor. Constructing a good case and presenting it clearly on paper can take a lot of time and effort so ensure you do your research and spend as much time as possible on your applications.
