Weekly Newsletter #22
Inside this issue
- Opportunities we’ve spotted, including legal work experience, training contracts, apprenticeships, paralegal roles, pupillage and alternative legal careers
- Our weekly Q&A on finding the time for work experience and changing careers
- 5 minutes with... Jovana Dilas on how to make the most out of law fairs
- And finally, a career tip you can put into practice this week
Career opportunities spotted this week
📍 Work experience, insight days, grants & placement opportunities
🎥 8DB (DAC Beachcroft) (Various)
Interested in the employed bar? On 20th November, 8DB is running a mini-pupillage event across its Manchester and London offices, livestreamed for anyone who can't take time off or travel. Apply ASAP.
💻 Macfarlanes (Various)
Macfarlanes are offering financial support to help socially mobile students. They will provide grants for essentials like laptops, WiFi, accommodation support for eligible London-based schemes and work clothes. You must be enrolled on or have a confirmed place on an undergraduate course at a UK university. Deadline: 23 October.
🤖 CMS (Virtual)
Want to know how AI is changing legal practice? This interactive virtual event brings together lawyers, trainees, legal technologists and the Emerging Talent team to share real examples of AI in action. You'll also pick up practical tips on using AI responsibly in your applications. Apply ASAP.
🏛️ 42BR Barristers (London)
Curious about life at the Bar? 42BR is welcoming applications for mini-pupillages in civil and family law. They're not assessed, so it's purely a chance to observe and learn.
🗣️ UK Supreme Court Student Debate Days (Nationwide)
The UK Supreme Court's student debate days give 16 to 18-year-old students the opportunity to debate real legal issues based on previous Supreme Court cases, with guidance from professional lawyers. You will receive debate materials and coaching before putting forward your legal argument. Forward this one to teachers/careers advisers!
⚖️ Slaughter and May (London)
In Year 12 and curious about a career in law? Slaughter and May's Lead in to Law programme is designed to widen access to the profession and support social mobility. Past participants say it made a career in commercial law feel much more achievable. Apply ASAP.
🎒 Nash & Co Solicitors (Plymouth)
At university and want hands-on legal experience before you graduate? Nash & Co is recruiting a full-time Placement Year Paralegal, starting in September 2027 at its Plymouth office. Deadline: 9th December.
✨ Burges Salmon (Bristol)
Burges Salmon's Bright Sparks programme offers school and college students a week of work experience exploring careers in law and professional services, with two weeks to choose from in July. Apply ASAP.
💼 Trainee, Apprenticeship & Pupillage Roles
⭐ Inclusie's pick of the week ⭐️
🖥️ Kerv (London)
Are you interested in an in-house legal career with a genuinely lovely team?
Kerv's Legal Graduate Programme offers you the chance to train at a fast-growing tech company. They’re open to both applicants who have already passed the LPC/SQE and those looking to take the SQE.
You can read our interview with Martha and Andrea from Kerv here to help you prepare your application!
🚀 Acuity Law (Cardiff, Bristol & London)
Acuity Law's training contracts are now open, and they're looking for future lawyers who are commercially minded, tech-savvy and curious about business. You'll work alongside lawyers on real client matters from day one. We love the diversity of routes offered, including the SQE, CILEX and more. Apply ASAP.
⚓ Nash & Co Solicitors (Plymouth)
Looking to qualify in the South West? Nash & Co is recruiting Trainee Solicitors for a full-time training contract starting in September 2027 at its Plymouth office. Deadline: 9th December.
🏙️ Laytons ETL (London)
Applications are open for Laytons ETL's 2027 and 2028 training contracts, a two-year programme designed to build your legal expertise alongside experienced professionals. The link direct to the application form can be found here. Deadline: 16th October.
🏔️ Bendles Solicitors (Cumbria)
Bendles is recruiting trainees to start in 2027. You'd work closely with experienced solicitors across a range of practice areas with study leave and support towards SQE2 (if needed). It's open to law and non-law graduates who have passed SQE1 or completed the LPC and you just need a CV and cover letter to apply. Deadline: 30th October.
🗒️ Paralegal & Entry Level Roles
👨👩👧 MBS Family Law (Remote)
This family law practice is hiring a Legal & Administrative Assistant for 25 hours a week, working remotely with a flexible pattern. They’re open to applications from law students, graduates or someone else looking for a part-time position. No prior experience required. Apply ASAP.
🛂 Helen Smith Immigration (Woking)
Helen Smith Immigration is recruiting a Paralegal to join its friendly team of experts with no prior experience required. They’re reviewing on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP if you’re interested in this one.
⚽ Bird & Bird (London)
A fan of sport? Bird & Bird is hiring a Paralegal for its Sport team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Applications close on Monday 5th October, so be quick.
⛵ Royal Yachting Association (Southampton)
Fancy in-house work with a difference? The RYA's Paralegal provides advice to members and clubs on everything from buying boats to dispute resolution, as well as writing guidance and delivering workshops. You will need some prior experience given the nature of the work. Deadline: 16th October.
📋 Carrington West (Portsmouth)
Something a little different for those interested in compliance as well as law. This recruitment business is hiring a Compliance Coordinator to manage contractor onboarding, contracts, compliance checks and audits, working closely with consultants, clients and framework partners and keeping processes in line with legislation such as GDPR. You don't need a compliance background; they're looking for someone organised, detail-focused and keen to learn. It could be a good stepping stone into a legal and/or compliance career. Apply ASAP.
🏥 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (Beckenham)
Want to see how legal services work inside the NHS? This Legal Services Administrator role supports claims, inquests and Court of Protection matters at one of the UK's leading mental health trusts, from managing case trackers to preparing bundles and liaising with Coroner's Officers. You’ll need some admin experience for this one. Deadline: 13th October.
📜 Morr & Co (Greater London)
Morr & Co is hiring a Paralegal for its growing Private Client team. We don’t have a ton of info on this one, so get in touch via the LinkedIn post for more details.
💚 Bates Wells (London)
Interested in purpose-driven law? Bates Wells, known for its work with charities and social enterprises, is hiring a part-time Legal Practice Assistant (9.30am to 2.15pm, five days a week) to maintain precedents and know-how, support internal training and help lawyers find the knowledge they need. Experience in legal knowledge management is ideal but not essential if you have a genuine interest in it, strong IT skills and confidence with complex Word documents. Apply ASAP.
🏢 Warner Goodman (Portsmouth)
Warner Goodman is hiring a permanent, full-time Commercial Property Legal Assistant to join its growing team. You'll get career development through their WG Academy, plus flexible and hybrid working. Some prior admin or office experience required. Apply ASAP.
Your questions answered
Q: I’m a career changer who is interested in law but I don’t know how to gain experience to know if it’s right for me, to build my legal skills and to show my interest in legal work. I work full-time so I can’t really do long-term placements. What would you recommend?
Career changerMy response: For many people I know, law is a second career. The experience you've already built is a real asset. The good news is that you don't need a long-term placement to explore whether law is right for you. Some of the most useful opportunities are free, flexible and can be fit around a full-time job.
Find out if it's right for you
Start by signing up for webinars, most are held in the evening, and open days if you have the annual leave. They’re usually free and run by law firms, in-house legal teams, chambers, universities, apprenticeship providers (and us…watch this space)! 👀
Some of these are available on demand so you can catch up later. They're a brilliant way to hear directly from people doing the job, learn about different routes into the profession and ask the questions that matter to you, such as what a typical day looks like or how others have made the switch from another career.
Find other career changers
Read stories from other career changers (like Stephanie and Grace) and find others on LinkedIn who are following a similar path but are a few steps ahead. Most people are happy to help and share their journeys. Don’t forget there are good things and bad things about all roles; it’s good to go in with your eyes open to help you decide if a career change is for you.
Build your legal skills
On-demand platforms like The Forage offer free virtual work experience programmes that you can complete at your own pace whenever suits you. You'll work through tasks such as reviewing documents or researching a legal issue, giving you a taste for the work and helping you develop practical skills along the way. I’ve seen mixed reviews about online experience like this, but from my perspective, it’s a good starting point.
Show your interest
Everything you complete becomes evidence of your commitment. Add virtual work experience to your CV and LinkedIn profile, and make notes after each webinar or event about what you learned and what stood out. When it comes to applications and interviews, being able to talk specifically about what you've explored and why it confirmed your interest will help.
Don't forget to think about the skills you already use in your current role. Communication, problem-solving, managing deadlines and working with clients or stakeholders are all highly relevant to legal work, so make those connections clear in every application.
Start small, pick one or two opportunities that interest you, and build from there to show your commitment over time. Small, consistent steps really do add up.
5 minutes with… Jovana Dilas on making the most of law fairs Story page
We’re firmly in “Law Fair season” and, if you’re looking to attend your first one, Jovana (Content & Research Lead at Inclusie) has kindly put together a few tips for making the most of the experience.
P.s. Legal Cheek’s Virtual Law Fair and Virtual Pupillage Fair are next week and there’s still time to sign up (here and here).
What is a law fair, and how do I find one?
Law fairs are events where you can meet representatives from different law firms, organisations and chambers.
You can ask questions about each one and find out what it's really like to work there. If you're still studying, your university may run its own law fair. You can also attend various virtual or in-person fairs run by organisations like Legal Cheek.
Some organisations at fairs also recruit solicitor apprentices and paralegals, so they're worth attending even if you're not following the training contract or pupillage route.
How should I prepare?
You won't have time to speak to every stand, so look at the list of attendees in advance and pick out the ones you might want to apply to. Then research them. The more you know going in, the more informed and useful your questions will be.
What should I ask?
Ask about anything that genuinely matters to you and will help you decide whether to apply. Remember, this is your chance to interview the organisation too. It's also worth thinking about what information might help when you come to write your application.
Avoid asking things you could easily find online, such as when vacation scheme or mini-pupillage applications close. It can suggest you haven't done your research and it takes up time you could spend on a more useful conversation. Your research will often throw up good questions naturally, for example:
Intake: Does the organisation take a notably small or large number of trainees or pupils each year? If you're speaking to a trainee or pupil, you could ask how this affects the responsibility they're given or the dynamic between them.
Training structure: How is the training structured? For trainees, are there rules about which seats you can do and what seats did they choose and why? For pupils, how many supervisors will you have, what does the second six look like, and how is the tenancy decision made?
Strategy: How is the organisation's strategy affecting their day-to-day work? Is an area you're interested in one that the organisation is looking to grow?
AI: This is a hot topic right now. How is the organisation using AI, and what do they see as the opportunities and risks for their organisation or practice area?
If you're interested in particular areas of law, prepare questions on them, but have some general ones ready too. You may meet people with no experience in those areas who can't answer them.
It also helps to have a few questions you can ask at any stand:
Why did you choose this organisation?
What are typical trainee/pupil/apprentice tasks?
What are you most looking forward to in the next few years of your career?
What drew you to the practice area you work in now?
Has anything about the organisation surprised you?
What distinguishes the firm/chambers/company's culture?
Another member of the Inclusie team, Maryam, put together a cheat sheet before the event with each firm she wanted to speak to alongside specific, researched questions. That went down great at Legal Cheek's Law Fair in Birmingham this week!
On the day
Whether the fair is virtual or in person, a few things are worth keeping in mind:
Arrive on time. Fairs usually run for several hours, but it's better to come early as you don't know how long each conversation will take or how busy each stand will be.
Be friendly, polite and listen carefully. Thank people for their time and use open, engaged body language. Feel free to jot down notes, but don't spend the whole conversation writing. Asking follow-up questions based on what someone has just said shows you're actively listening and usually leads to more interesting answers. It's also worth listening to other people's questions, as they may ask something you hadn't thought of.
Warm up first. If you're feeling nervous, don't head straight to your favourite organisation. Start with another stand, ask a few questions, and build your confidence before you get to the one you care most about.
Use all the time available. If there's time left at the end, think about what else could be useful. There may be workshops to join, or you may have new questions for an organisation you've already spoken to. Representatives often change during the day, so you might get to speak to someone from the recruitment team or a solicitor or barrister in a practice area you're interested in. At virtual fairs, you can also join an organisation's booth just to listen to other people's questions.
After the fair
Save your notes from the day and connect on LinkedIn with the people you spoke to.
Most importantly, use what you've learned. Add anything useful to your research notes and keep track of points you might want to mention in your applications. You've already done the work and had the conversations, so make sure they don't go to waste.
Thank you so much to Jovana for writing this piece. Hopefully these tips make your law fair experience feel a little less daunting!
This week’s career tip
Here's a quick win for this week. Your LinkedIn photo is often the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager sees, so it's worth getting one you're happy with. No fancy headshot needed and no suit required (a plain top is just fine)!
We recommend skipping the holiday snaps, cropped group photos and anything too dark or blurry. Adding a photo is entirely your choice, but if you're comfortable doing it, it can help people put a welcoming face to your name and remember you.
💛 Finally, can you do us a favour? If you're enjoying this newsletter, we'd love you to share it with one other person who you think might benefit. The more people in the club, the more resources and support we can provide to aspiring legal professionals.
That’s all for now. See you next week!
Emma
The careers advice shared in this newsletter is intended as general guidance and should not be treated as formal legal or recruitment advice. I do my best to keep all opportunities and deadlines accurate and up-to-date at the time of writing, but always double-check the employer’s website before applying.