City Law 2015 Careers Fair Guide

Academic excellence for business and the professions

Law Wednesday 21st October Great Hall, College Building 1.30 to 4.30pm (1.30 to 2.30pm: priority entry with a fast-track pass)

Sponsored by

Brought to you by CityCareers www.city.ac.uk/careers

CityCareers CAREERS, STUDENT DEVELOPMENT & OUTREACH

Welcome from Sponsors of the 2015 Law Fair Macfarlanes is widely recognised as one of a handful of high quality independent law firms in the UK. We are consistently highly ranked in our chosen areas of expertise. From our single location in the City of London, we serve a broad range of clients from multi-national companies to private individuals worldwide.

At Macfarlanes, we realise that our people are vital to providing an outstanding service. We believe that the strongest firm will be achieved by choosing a diverse mix of people, reflecting different styles so as to meet the needs that we – and our varied range of clients – will have in the future. We are unusual for our size, combining a top-flight corporate practice with a pre-eminent private client service. Our size has been determined by careful organic growth and this has helped preserve our distinctive culture, with 54 per cent of Partners trained here.

We are recruiting for the future of the firm and our objective is to create lawyers of extraordinary quality. As a trainee here you will find yourself working with some of the world’s leading businesses and business leaders. With close partner support you will be dealing directly with clients and assisting on complex transactions. We are not as large as most of our competitors and, because of our size, trainees will often be close to the front line. This contribution will make a difference.

We are looking to recruit up to 30 trainee solicitors for our 2018/19 intake and up to 55 candidates for our 2016 vacation schemes. We would like to hear from ambitious and driven graduates who thrive on responsibility and challenge and are ready to begin their career on day one.

Macfarlanes is delighted to be sponsoring the City University London Law Fair. I hope you will use the fair as an opportunity to find out more about a career in Law and which firms suit you. If you are interested in the opportunities we can offer and would like to find out more about life at Macfarlanes, then please come and visit our stand to talk to us. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.

With best wishes for your future career as a solicitor.

Seán Lavin Partner, Employment Group

We are delighted to invite you to the 2015 Law Fair. This event is an ideal opportunity for you to network with key recruiters from the legal sector and gather information that will help you stand out from other applicants.

Please use the checklist below that the CityCareers team has prepared for you in order to help you make the most of this event and get ahead of the competition.

Before the Fair • Registered for and attended one of the fair preparation sessions or completed the Law Fair Prep Quiz to learn how to make the most of the Fair and get a fast-track entry pass?

• Pre-registered online at www.city.ac.uk/careers?

• Done some research on the exhibitors that you want to approach on the day? Start with reading the profiles of the exhibitors in this guide.

• Researched how employers prefer to be approached at Careers Fairs?

• Prepared some relevant questions that demonstrate your interest in that area of work?

• Prepared a couple of sentences to introduce yourself clearly and succinctly to organisations?

See page 15 of this guide for further information on how to secure a fast-track entry pass.

2|3

On the day • Approach the stand as you would do at an interview – first impressions count!

• Start conversations with expressions such as “I am interested in...” or “I know about your company and would like to find out more about...”

• Be prepared to outline succinctly your knowledge of the company, express enthusiasm in what the company does and describe how your background could contribute to their needs • Find out what exhibitors are looking for by asking them what skills and experience they require. You can then tailor your experiences and responses to what they are looking for • Have a notepad ready so you can note down the name of anyone who you really enjoyed talking to. If they inspired you to work for their organisation, mention this in your application form • Be proactive and keen: talk to the recruiters • Plan what you are going to wear to project a professional image on the day of the Fair. Present yourself as you would at an interview.

• Stand in a huddle in the corner talking to your friends • Monopolise a single person • Just browse or collect freebies • Dress too casually (jeans, trainers and baseball caps are not recommended).

Prepare to answer questions “Tell me about your course and why you decided to study it.”

“What interests you about law?”

“Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

Are you ready to sell yourself positively and succinctly in response to general openers like these? Start with your name, course and year of study. You may then want to say a few words about your career aspirations, areas of interest, why you are attending the Fair and why you have approached the employer in front of you. Write your notes on the following lines:

Prepare to ask questions Have a look through the pages that follow and identify employers that you would like to approach at the Fair. Think about questions that you would like to ask each of them and write them down in the notes sections under exhibitors’ profiles in this guide, ready for the day of the Fair. For example, prepare questions that will help you decide if a particular career or a particular organisation may be the one for you. You may wish to find out more about opportunities for professional qualifications, long-term careers prospects, work-life balance, job security, work environment, training and development opportunities, content of work, opportunities to work internationally and job availability. You may also wish to ask questions about recent news stories or big issues facing a particular organisation or industry. Ensure you do not ask questions which can be easily answered by doing some very basic research.

This employer offers graduate opportunities This employer sponsors visas for international students V

This employer offers volunteering opportunities This employer offers internship opportunities This employer offers opportunities for 1st year students

4|5

11 Stone Buildings is a leading set of commercial and chancery barristers based in London, practising in commercial law with specialist groups for all types of contract, company, insolvency, real estate and private client disputes. We act as advocates, advisers, arbitrators and mediators for law firms across the country and internationally, and for inhouse legal departments, direct and public access clients.

We advertise one 12-month funded pupillage annually with an award of £65,000. Pupils have the possibility to top up their earnings, following court work they do in their second six months, without any clawback. As a member of Pupillage Gateway, we follow their procedures and timetables. www.11sb.com/front-page/recruitment.asp

At www.city.ac.uk/careers, you can: • Book online for cv, cover letter and application form checks (20-minute appointments), mock interviews and in-depth career guidance sessions (45-minute appointments) • View hundreds of graduate roles, placements and internships, part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities on and off campus • Register to attend a range of career events to gain first hand company information, network with employers and access the hidden job market • Access a comprehensive range of resources, including career videos, career guides, statistics on what recent graduates from your course are doing and view hundreds of useful links to external resources.

My notes:

Accutrainee delivers a unique way for graduates to benefit from bespoke training contracts. We recruit trainees and second them to law firms and in-house legal teams in accordance with our clients’ requirements and business needs. Few training contracts offer such variety and breadth of experience with training periods uniquely designed around the trainee.

Accutrainee has exciting training contract opportunities within private practice and in-house departments. We welcome applications throughout the year, from candidates at every stage of their academic studies.

Army Legal Services is a specialist allOfficer branch of the Army, comprised of professionally qualified solicitors, barristers or Scottish advocates. The role of ALS is the provision of legal support to the Army – specifically in-house advice on service justice and other law, advice and training on the legal issues relating to operations worldwide and the provision of lawyers for Court Martial prosecutions.

www.accutrainee.com

ALS will recruit a pool of qualified legal practitioners to commission as officers in September 2016. These officers will be employed in various appointments across the spectrum of ALS work. Those students who are not yet qualified as legal practitioners may apply to attend an ALS Insight Visit to gain more information and exposure to the work and lifestyle of ALS.

My notes:

www.army.mod.uk

My notes:

6|7

Aspiring Solicitors is the leading dedicated legal diversity platform in the UK. It is committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession by (i) providing free access, opportunity and assistance to students from underrepresented backgrounds, (ii) educating and informing the next generation of the legal profession about the importance of diversity and (iii) promoting and encouraging diversity from within the profession.

To date, Aspiring Solicitors has offered its members over 1,500 legal opportunities and helped students secure over 450 vacation schemes and training contracts. www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk

V

My notes:

Established for well over 50 years, Blackstone Chambers’ origins are firmly rooted in commercial law. Our standing has grown as Chambers has become instrumental in the development of human rights and public law.

We have maintained our leading position in public international law, while developing our thriving practices in employment, EU and competition law.

Blackstone Chambers offers four 11-month pupillages, with an award of £60,000 for pupillages commencing in October 2017.

A partial drawdown of up to £17,000 is available in the BPTC year.

We also offer mini-pupillages which last for three to five working days and take place at any time other than full legal vacation. Our mini-pupillages are assessed and form part of the application process for pupillages. www.blackstonechambers.com/recruitment

My notes:

Blake Morgan LLP has over 120 partners and a total sta of approximately 900, providing a full range of legal services to business, the not-for-profit sector and private individuals.

We are based in the South Coast, Thames Valley, London and Wales regions. We oer jobs and careers in a rapidly growing and highly regarded city practice as well as city-quality work and quality of life that only working in these regions can bring.

Blake Morgan LLP will be recruiting 16-18 trainees in summer 2016 to start work in September 2018. The online application form for this process will be available from December 2015 on the Blake Morgan website. www.blakemorgan.co.uk

Bond Dickinson is a dynamic UK law firm providing a comprehensive legal service to our clients, across a wide range of legal expertise and sectors, from seven cities across the UK including London. Our clients range from FTSE 100 businesses, governmental organisations and privately managed businesses to wealthy individuals.

We are recruiting now for our 2018 training contract. Trainees at Bond Dickinson have an opportunity to spend six months in four Business Groups, which allows them to gain a real breadth of experience along the way. Your personal preferences are taken into consideration during the seat rotation process. www.bonddickinson.com/careers/ trainee-solicitors

My notes: My notes:

8|9

Based on confidential insider interviews with trainees, the Chambers Student Guide lifts the lid on all the major firms and barristers’ chambers to give you the true picture about training. We can also tell you about application processes, vacation schemes, law schools, building up your cv and how to perform well in interviews.

Come over and pick up a free copy of the Chambers Student Guide from our stand.

We will also be happy to answer any careers questions you might have. www.chambersstudent.co.uk

One of the world’s leading commercial law firms, Clifford Chance, has been awarded more Tier 1 accolades in cross-border tables than any other international firm. We are The Times’ Graduate Employer of Choice for Law and TARGETjobs named us Graduate Employer of the Year in 2014. Our people are worldleading experts in the work they do. We tackle cross-border, ground-breaking transactions in a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship – and because global challenges rarely fall within a single practice area, we are used to working in agile, cross-practice teams.

Recruitment opportunities: • Training contracts for Law and non-Law for 2018

My notes:

• 3 summer vacation schemes • 2 first-year Springboard Schemes • 1 non-Law Insight Workshop • 5 Open Days. www.cliffordchancegraduates.com

My notes:

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, positioning us to help companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world. In the UK, we provide full service legal advice from London and the major UK centres. Unlike many other law firms, we are organised to provide clients with a range of essential business advice, not just on largescale mergers and acquisitions and banking deals but also on people and employment, commercial dealings, litigation, insurance, real estate, IT, intellectual property and plans for restructuring.

We oer approximately 130 placements and use these to recruit our trainees. They run for two weeks during the summer and take place across our oďŹƒces in the UK. We also oer a number of Open Days and Insight Days. www.dlapipergraduates.co.uk

My notes:

Register for and attend the Commercial awareness at all stages of a legal career panel event on 5th November to find out what commercial awareness is, why it is important for a legal career and how you can develop and demonstrate it.

What makes a good application form? Clifford Chance will be running a skills session on this very topic on 21st October from 11am to 12pm.

For further information and to register for these events, visit www.city.ac.uk/careers.

10|11

DWF is a business law firm with an international reach. Our legal experts combine real commercial understanding and deep sector knowledge to help our clients achieve the outcomes they need. We have undergone significant growth over the past few years and have set ourselves some ambitious targets.

We employ over 2,500 people, including 290 partners and 1,550 fee earners.

We have 2015 training contract opportunities for some of our oďŹƒces and we will be running a summer vacation scheme in 2016.

Applications for this will open in October 2015. www.dwf.co.uk/join-us

My notes:

It is our responsibility to regulate the financial services industry – from big banks to high street lenders. The experience you gain working with us is invaluable, so whether you are passionate about regulation or would like to pursue a career in finance further down the line, a grounding at the FCA is the only place to start.

At the FCA, the consumer is at the heart of everything we do. In order to achieve our goal of making markets work well for consumers, we need people who are passionate about good conduct in the industry to take the helm. We need individuals with the skills and tenacity to see a problem and create a solution and who aren’t daunted by big businesses and tackling challenges.

We offer Graduate Development Programmes in Supervision Enforcement & Market Oversight and Strategy & Competition. We also have a summer internship programme. www.fcacareers.org.uk

My notes:

FRU has been providing representation in social security and employment tribunals since 1972. We help people who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford lawyers. Our work is done by volunteers, mostly law students and legal professionals in the early stages of their career. All FRU’s representatives are trained and supervised by our legal officers.

We offer volunteering opportunities for students who are in their third year or above of the LLB. Our volunteers use their legal knowledge and skills to help FRU’s clients, while gaining valuable experience. All candidates must undertake our training and take a test to assess their ability; these take place three times per year. For comprehensive details about volunteering, training and eligibility please see our website.

Join Freshfields and you join an international law firm that has been advising businesses for over 250 years. One of our first clients was The Bank of England and we still advise them today. We have about 2,500 lawyers in offices across the world and a strong network of 27 offices from the Americas to Asia.

We are looking for around 80 trainees to start training with us in London in 2017, with intakes in February and August. We also have vacation schemes for penultimate year undergraduates and a number of workshops tailored to meet students’ needs at different stages of their academic journey. www.freshfields.com/ukgraduates

www.thefru.org.uk/volunteers

V

My notes:

My notes:

12|13

We have one client: the British Government.

Whether the Government is creating new legislation, procuring goods and services, employing people or defending its decisions in court, it needs significant levels of legal advice.

To carry out this work, the Government needs its own lawyers who understand its business.

The Government Legal Service (GLS) is the term used to describe approximately 2,000 lawyers working in the legal teams of 30 Departments of State and other Government organisations. GLS lawyers advise Ministers and officials on their powers and responsibilities, litigate on their behalf and ensure that official decisions comply with the law.

Our lawyers’ work will be determined by the business in which their departments are engaged but will typically involve the widest possible range of public and private law matters. These range across issues of national and international significance and across public and private law, embracing advisory and legislative work, litigation and prosecution.

The GLS offer around 30-35 training contracts and pupillages each year, all of which are based in London. Our next recruitment round, beginning in the summer of 2016, will be aimed at those who wish to start their training in September 2018. www.gov.uk/gls

My notes:

ICSA is the chartered membership and qualifying body for people working in governance, risk and compliance roles, including company secretaries. We aim to develop the value, skills and effectiveness of company secretaries and governance professionals in all sectors.

The role of the company secretary is pivotal for the effective governance of organisations, ensuring that the organisation meets the requirements of company law and governance codes; the role requires deep understanding of a company from top to bottom and across departments. The company secretary reports directly to the chairman and acts as the key link between the board and executive management; they work closely with board directors and companies’ main decision-makers. www.icsa.org.uk

My notes:

Why are employers joining us at the Fair?

“City University London offers a wide range of very able candidates both on the LLB and postgraduate courses, including the GDL and BPTC. It holds an excellent reputation and a number of our members of Chambers have attended City.” Blackstone Chambers “Deciding what to do with the rest of your working life is probably one of the most important decisions you will make. We attend this fair to assist you in that process, offering you a practical insight into life at the Bar, pupillage and its rigorous selection process.” 11 Stone Buildings “We attended the law fair last year and found the calibre of students to be very good. We enjoyed engaging with the students and they demonstrated a keen interest in DLA Piper.” DLA Piper “City’s Law Fair always proves to be a fantastic event for students and employers alike. The quality and attendance of students is high and our members enjoy the experience. We like to be able to offer students the chance to ask questions about pupillage and invite them to consider a life in practice at the Bar in Property, Planning, Environmental and Public Law.” Landmark Chambers “We attend the Fair every year and are always looking to recruit students from City University London for any of the vacancies we offer.” Travers Smith

Fair preparation and fast-track entry to the Fair Get fast-track entry to the Fair and learn how to make a great first impression on employers by attending one of the Making the most of the Law Fair preparation sessions.

The first session is on 19th October between 1 and 2pm (Northampton Square campus) and the second is on 20th October between 9.30 and 10.30am (Gray’s Inn campus).

If you are unable to attend this session, complete the Law Fair Prep Quiz via City CareersHub! A link to City CareersHub is available at www.city.ac.uk/careers/for-students-and-recent-graduates.

14|15

JUSTICE is an all-party law reform and human rights organisation working to strengthen the justice system – administrative, civil and criminal – in the United Kingdom.

Employability Skills Programme Check out City’s Employability Skills Programme. This series of sessions will cover the skills that are most valued by employers and how to articulate your experiences in the best possible way.

Register online at: www.city.ac.uk/careers

The JUSTICE Student Network (JSN) is an interactive forum that aims to encourage interest in and improve awareness of JUSTICE’s work. It intends to enhance the career paths of its members by providing the means for networking with members of JUSTICE’s legal membership and equipping law students with a practical understanding of how lawyers can work to strengthen the justice system and the rights of the individuals within.

JUSTICE has an established internship programme through which we appoint two or three interns twice a year to work closely with the policy team. The interns undertake legal research in one of JUSTICE’s main areas of policy work: human rights, criminal justice, or EU justice and home affairs. We are proud to pay our interns the London Living Wage. www.justice.org.uk

My notes:

Would you like to learn about negotiation techniques for lawyers?

This is an important legal skill used daily by commercial lawyers in both resolving disputes and agreeing legal documents. Register for and attend the interactive litigation event with Eversheds LLP on 19th November.

Would you like to explore your career options within and outside the legal sector? Register for and attend the Careers with a Law degree event on 8th October.

For further information and to register for these events, visit www.city.ac.uk/careers.

“IF YOU WANT VERY BRIGHT COUNSEL...

YOU NEED TO GO TO LANDMARK”

Landmark is a leading London chambers offering integrated advocacy and advice in four key areas Environmental Planning Property Public We offer up to three pupillages a year with an award of £55,000 for each pupil. We are a member of the Pupillage Gateway. For more information, please visit our website: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk Landmark Chambers 180 Fleet Street London EC4A 2HG DX:1042 (LDE) t: +44 (0)20 7430 1221 f: +44 (0)20 7421 6060 e:clerks@landmarkchambers.co.uk @Landmark_LC

16|17

Landmark Chambers is a leading chambers in the UK, offering integrated advocacy and advice in the following areas: Planning, Property, Public, Environment, Rating and Valuation. Landmark’s barristers act for the private and public sectors, including government departments, statutory bodies, local authorities, companies, landowners, interest groups and individuals.

Launching a career in the legal profession is no simple matter; it requires knowledge, planning, insight and dedication. If you do not follow the rules of the game, you are seriously diminishing your chances of success.

LawCareers.Net and The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook are expressly designed to support and inform you as you work towards a legal career.

Landmark Chambers offer up to three pupillages per year and approximately 50 mini-pupillages. Mini-pupillages allow an insight into life at the Bar and the areas of law we practise. Applications for mini-pupillage are accepted three times a year; in August, December and March. During mini-pupillage we try to pair you with someone practising in an area, or areas, in which you are interested.

The aim is to give you a chance to see the type of work that you would experience as a junior tenant. Given the importance of written work we may also be able to give you the opportunity to assist with research or drafting in Chambers.

Both products contain extensive editorials on the background to law, lawyers, types of firms and practitioners, as well as guides on different work areas, the recruitment process and timetable, plus news and feature content. And, most importantly, both feature a comprehensive directory of over 1,000 firms and chambers that are recruiting graduates.

Please visit our stand to pick up free copies of our print publications and to sign up for our email newsletter, LC.N Weekly.

www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/pupillage

My notes:

My notes:

www.lawcareers.net www.tcph.co.uk

11 Stone Buildings

•

Accutrainee

• •

•

Army Legal Services Aspiring Solicitors

• •

Blackstone Chambers Blake Morgan Bond Dickinson Clifford Chance DLA Piper DWF LLP

• • • • • • •

• • • • •

• •

•

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

•

Free Representation Unit Freshfields Government Legal Service

• • • •

• • •

LPC Law

• • •

Monckton Chambers MW Solicitors

• •

• • •

Police Now PwC Legal* RPC SEO London

• • • • • • •

South Square Chambers Travers Smith Weightmans

• • • •

• •

• • • •

• • •

•

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • •

International – EEA

International – outside of EEA

Northern Ireland

Wales

Scotland

Other regions in England

London

Do you sponsor visas for international students?

• • • • •

•

Legal Cheek Macfarlanes

•

•

JUSTICE Landmark Chambers

• •

Roles for qualified lawyers only

Location Graduate positions (other than training contracts and pupillages)

Internships (other than vacation schemes and mini-pupillages)

Voluntary work

Pupillages

Mini-pupillages

Training contracts

Vacation schemes

Types of opportunities

1st year programme

Exhibitor

• •

• • • •

• •

• • • •

•

•

• •

• •

* Training contracts are only available as a conversion from the vacation scheme; graduate positions (other than training contracts and pupillages) are for Company Secretarial roles studying the ICSA. 18|19

Lawyer 2B is the must-read magazine for anyone interested in pursuing a career in law. It is packed full of lively and compelling content including news, analysis, jobs and features on all the major developments in the legal sector, as well as unbiased advice on breaking into the profession. Pick up your free copy from our stand at the fair – and if you have got questions about a career in law that you do not feel comfortable asking the other exhibitors, come and ask us.

Our website is a ‘one-stop shop’ for anyone wishing to pursue a career in law, and by registering to our free weekly and fortnightly email news services you can keep up-to-date with all the latest deals, news, gossip and jobs.

Sign up at our stand.

Oh, and get your phone out and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lawyer2bmag and on Facebook (search for Lawyer 2B). www.lawyer2b.com

My notes:

Launched from a Hackney tower block during the Occupy movement of 2011, Legal Cheek has grown rapidly to become the UK’s leading legal news website among law students and junior lawyers. Described by The Telegraph as a “must-read tabloid law website”, Legal Cheek has over the last two years branched out into careers advice, working with a host of top law firms and law schools to create free resources that actually help you get a job. www.legalcheek.com

My notes:

We are a specialist firm of solicitors, focused on providing a high-quality advocacy and clerking service to clients throughout England and Wales. We have a nationwide network of advocates (consisting of BPTC/LPC graduates, solicitors and solicitor-advocates) allowing us to appear in all types of hearings and trials in every county court and the High Court.

LPC Law is looking to recruit BPTC/LPC graduates for freelance advocacy positions nationwide. LPC Law covers a range of civil law matters and provides unique exposure to those interested in advocacy. Advocates regularly appear in chambers, putting forward their case to the judge. The role offers unique exposure and great opportunities for postgraduates to put their vocational skills into practice. www.lpc-law.co.uk/careers

My notes:

Macfarlanes is a leading City law firm with a straightforward, independent-minded approach.

We bring smart and thoughtful solutions to the complex legal challenges faced by our clients around the world. We are recognised for the quality of our work and people, not just in dealing with the full range of corporate and commercial matters, but in advising our clients on their private affairs as well. Clients trust Macfarlanes’ judgement and the firm is in a unique position to advise on their most complex matters, while remaining smaller than its competitors. In short, we have a formidable and unique combination of expertise and culture and we rely on remarkable individuals to shape the firm for the future.

We offer an Insight Day for first year students designed to give an insider’s perspective of a City law firm. Students in their penultimate year of study and above can apply for our two-week vacation schemes which provide a snapshot of life as a trainee. Our training contracts combine hands-on experience with a first class education programme. www.macfarlanes.com/careers/ trainee-solicitors

My notes:

20|21

Monckton Chambers specialises in European, public and commercial law. Our work is carried out in areas of the law that are rapidly growing and fast moving. It is exceptionally demanding, but also highly rewarding.

Monckton Chambers is a dynamic place to work. Members actively engage in speaking at conferences and seminars, in London and internationally, and contribute to a variety of publications.

McMillan Williams are one of the largest solicitor firms in the South of England.

Established for 30 years with 16 branches across London, the South East and South West of England, we are a consumer-led high street practice offering a wide variety of legal services to our clients, including Civil Litigation, Professional Negligence, Crime, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence, Family, Private Client and Conveyancing.

Recruitment opportunities:

We are currently enjoying a sustained period of growth and are always seeking talented candidates to embark on their legal career.

We have a number of paralegal and training opportunities available all year round.

• Mini-pupillage scheme between October and December 2015 and January and Easter 2016 • Pupillage applications can be made in April 2016 for an October 2017 start. www.monckton.com/recruitment/ students-pupillage

www.mwsolicitors.co.uk/recruitment

My notes: My notes:

Why should first year students engage with employers early?

“First year students should engage with employers early on because it is a fantastic way to gain experience. DLA Piper offer Insight Days which are specifically targeted at first years. These enable students to experience what life at a firm is really like, as well as learn more about them, beyond what is featured on a website.” DLA Piper “Your future career choices are some of the most important decisions you will make in life, so firms like Macfarlanes offer an insight day to first year students to provide them with an insider’s perspective of a City Law firm. During these days, students gain skills and obtain practical experience and careers advice that are invaluable towards making those life decisions.” Macfarlanes “With limited applications available through Pupillage Gateway, it is important to fully understand the Chambers you choose to apply to. Information gathering is key to gaining an understanding of the atmosphere, junior practice and future developments. If this process is started early, you are in a much better position to make an informed decision when the time comes.” 11 Stone Buildings “It is important to engage with employers early so that you can make well-informed decisions about your career choices later on. It is also important in exemplifying your commitment to the employer and your interest in the work that they do, especially if they are going to be an employer you apply to.” Clifford Chance “Employers are seeking talent earlier and earlier, so first year students should take advantage of this and apply for as many opportunities as possible. The first year schemes normally have simpler applications and are easier to get onto than second year or graduate programmes, so take the opportunity and apply early!” SEO London

22|23

Lawyer 2B Legal Landscape talk 21st October 2015, 12 to 1pm The legal landscape is changing rapidly. This talk will highlight the current developments, what the future might look like and what students can do to best position themselves. You will be given an overview of potential career paths and some options you might not have considered.

Find out more at: www.city.ac.uk/careers

Police Now’s mission is to transform communities, reduce crime and increase the public’s confidence in policing. We are working towards this goal by recruiting and developing outstanding and diverse individuals to be leaders in society and on the policing frontline. The Police Now Leadership Development Programme is the innovative new programme that is putting exceptional graduates on the frontline of the capital’s most challenged communities.

We are looking to take on 120 new graduates to our Leadership Development Programme in 2016 and place them in police services across England. www.policenow.org.uk

V

The Graduate Group – ‘Legal Head Start Workshops’ 17th October and 14th November, 10am to 4pm A group of successful graduates, who have secured training contracts at a number of top city law firms, will host two practical workshops at City. The first session will include how to: research the right firm for you, make a successful application and stand out at legal events. During the second session, the current and future trainee solicitors will assist students to edit and improve their applications. So if you need advice on how to beat the odds and get ahead, these workshops are for you!

Visit www.city.ac.uk/careers for further details.

My notes:

We are a member of the PwC international network of firms. We offer a unique style of integrated legal advice, with access to specialists from across the whole of the PwC network. We have an extensive client base across the FTSE200, banks, funds and other financial institutions, middle-market companies, large private businesses and high net worth individuals.

At PwC Legal we offer a summer vacation scheme which is open to penultimate and final year Law students, and final year non-Law students; those already studying the GDL or LPC are also eligible. We do not recruit directly onto training contracts and instead convert vacation schemers onto these, starting in either March or September of the subsequent two years. www.pwc.co.uk/careers/student/ graduateopportunities/pwc-legal.jhtml

We provide top-quality legal services to global businesses across a wide range of industry sectors and practices, including insurance, commercial litigation, construction, engineering and projects, corporate/M&A, IP and technology, media, real estate, employment and pensions, outsourcing, regulatory, tax and competition.

Headquartered in a state-of-the-art site in the City of London, we also have offices in Bristol, Hong Kong and Singapore.

We offer a two-week summer vacation scheme, which allows students to experience what it is like to work at RPC, and Open Days for highquality candidates who haven’t managed to land a place on the summer scheme. We also offer two-year full-time training contracts for law and non-law students in London. www.rpc.co.uk

My notes: My notes:

24|25

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London provide superior educational support and career access to young people from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds, to help maximise their opportunities for university and career success.

Since 2000, more than 80 per cent of the students we have supported have gone on to secure graduate roles with our partner firms.

In 2015/16, we will be placing students with more than 60 of the UK’s most prestigious employers.

We offer over 1,000 first-year, internship and graduate opportunities with over 60 partner firms, including magic and silver circle firms such as Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright, Travers Smith and many more. www.seo-london.com

My notes:

South Square is one of the leading commercial law sets of barristers. It specialises in restructuring/insolvency, fraud-related disputes, and banking, commercial, company and financial services. South Square barristers have been involved in many of the most important recent cases in these areas of practice and regularly appear in the courts and tribunals of major international jurisdictions in addition to those of England and Wales.

Recruitment opportunities: • Up to three 12-month pupillages with an award of £60,000 • Up to ten funded mini-pupillages with an award of £500 (five days) • Unfunded mini-pupillages throughout the year (two days).

We also welcome applications for third six pupillages from applicants who have completed a pupillage at a leading Commercial or Chancery set. www.southsquare.com

My notes:

The General Council of the Bar, known as the Bar Council, is the governing body for barristers in England and Wales. Its role is to promote and improve the services and functions of the Bar and to represent the interests of the Bar on all matters relating to the profession. Every prospective barrister in England and Wales must join one of the four Inns of Court. The Inns provide scholarships, educational and collegiate opportunities and continuing professional development.

Now in its 11th year, The Lex 100 is the marketleading guide for law students at every stage of their legal education. Based on the findings of a survey completed by over 3,000 trainees, The Lex 100 oers unique insight into the vast array of training contracts in the UK market.

Representatives will be on hand at the fair to provide prospective barristers from any academic discipline with helpful information on pathways into the profession and careers at the Bar.

We are keen to meet with students, hear about their experiences and to speak with them about why they are interested in a career in law and how they plan to pursue that career.

We are also looking forward to distributing copies of our new Lex 100 guide and to publicise the important findings it contains.

Follow us on Twitter at @thelex100 and on Facebook to keep up-to-date with regular information regarding the UK legal market.

www.barcouncil.org.uk

www.lex100.co.uk

My notes:

My notes:

26|27

Travers Smith is an award-winning independent law firm. Our lawyers undertake high-quality, and often high-profile, work within a collegiate and supportive environment which benefits both our lawyers and our clients. Over half of the firm’s work has an international dimension – to service this we have an office in Paris, as well as close working relationships with other independent law firms around the world who share our high standards.

Applications open from 1 October 2015 for the following: • Training contracts for September 2018/ March 2019 • Christmas Scheme 2015: 7-18 December • Summer Scheme 2016: Two-week schemes commencing 20 June, 4 July and 18 July. www.traverssmith.com/careers/ graduate-recruitment

Weightmans is a top 40 UK law firm with over 1,400 people and offices in Birmingham, Dartford, Glasgow, Knutsford, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London and Manchester.

At Weightmans, we believe the success of our clients and our people is key. How we help achieve these results varies from organisation to organisation and person to person. No assumptions, no one-size-fits-all approach, just the very best support from a team that delivers measurable results. We know that superb client service only comes through a happy and motivated workforce, so commitment to our people is at the heart of who we are and it is reinforced in all we do.

That’s why our business is successful.

That’s why our clients come back time and time again.

We will be accepting applications for our summer 2016 vacation scheme throughout December, January and February and for our 2018 training contracts throughout May, June and July. We also recruit for a variety of roles as advertised on our website. www.weightmans.com

My notes:

My notes:

28|29

Overcoming the fear of networking events “Research before you go; this will give you a clear idea of what you want to find out and from whom. Being prepared will make you more confident and enable you to ask more informed questions. Enjoy the event and relish talking to those in the profession – you are likely to get a better idea of a firm by talking to their employees than you would from scouring their websites.” Blackstone Chambers “Attending networking events will form part of most graduate roles and practice makes perfect. Joining groups such as the Junior Lawyers Division gives you access to events attended by trainees and junior lawyers; you will have the opportunity to gain an insight into the profession, while also practising your networking skills in a familiar environment.” Bond Dickinson “Prepare! Make sure you have researched who will be there and make a list of the people you would like to speak to and the questions you want answered. Set yourself an objective to walk out of that networking event with knowledge you did not have before. The better prepared you are the more meaningful your exchange with that potential employer will be. This will only add to the impression that you make upon them, which may well pay off later down the line.” Clifford Chance “Remember that the event is an exercise in building relationships.

Take time before the event to prepare a short introduction of yourself – including an interesting fact that makes you unique (maybe you’re a former ballet dancer or speak a different language) – while you should avoid sounding like you have rehearsed the introduction, it is always better to be well prepared.” SEO London “Do some initial research on the firm you are visiting and put together some relevant pre-prepared questions to ask. At the law fairs and presentations you will find that the representatives are very approachable and the trainees present will only have been at the firm for a short time so will be easy to engage with.” Travers Smith

After the Fair • Send a ‘thank you’ email to any contacts you met on the day. It might just add to the positive impression you have made and set the stage for future correspondence • Take note of everything that you have learned and refer to this throughout the selection and recruitment process • Think about how well you would fit into the organisations that you have spoken with.

• Get your cv or application form reviewed by a Careers Consultant at CityCareers • Practise interviews and assessment exercises • Check the Careers website regularly for upcoming campus events • Log on to the Careers website to view hundreds of opportunities and receive job email alerts.

Good luck with your job search!

CityCareers City University London Northampton Square London EC1V 0HB T: +44 (0)20 7040 8093 E: careers@city.ac.uk www.city.ac.uk/careers

30|31

EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL LAWYERS. WITHOUT EXCEPTIONAL LAWYERS. WITHOUT EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTION. LAWYERS. EXCEPTION. LAWYERS. WITHOUT

WITHOUT EXCEPTION. EXCEPTION. FOR GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES VISIT

MACFARLANES.COM/CAREERS MACFARLANES.COM/GRADUATES

FOR GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES VISIT

MACFARLANES.COM/CAREERS