Weekly Newsletter #26

Career opportunities spotted this week

📍 Work experience, insight days, grants & placement opportunities

⭐ Inclusie's pick of the week ⭐️

🏛️ Civil Service Fast Stream (Nationwide)
Not a legal placement but a brilliant alternative if you’re hoping to build work experience: 500 spots are available at the Fast Stream’s eight-week Summer Internship Programme.

It places undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds in a government department, doing research, project support and policy work. It’s open to students in their final two years of any degree with a 2:2 or above (expected or achieved), and a positive appraisal can fast-track you through Fast Stream selection.

Deadline: midday, 5th November, so be quick!

📺 ITV (London)
Law graduates keen on intellectual property and media can apply to join ITV’s Business Affairs team as a Legal Intern, working on programme title clearances, international brand protection and trade mark enforcement across their global catalogue of over 100,000 hours of programming. Deadline for applications: tomorrow!

🧳 Exchange Chambers (Liverpool)
Ahead of the 2027 pupillage round, Exchange Chambers’ Pupillage Forum on 10th December, open to third-year students and above, includes advocacy tips, interview techniques and breakout sessions with current pupils. Deadline: 27th November.

🎬 Harbottle & Lewis (Virtual)
Media and entertainment law fans, take note: Harbottle & Lewis is hosting a virtual event on 5th November, where lawyers from its corporate, litigation, family and advertising teams will explore a case study involving a film star navigating legal challenges. You’ll also hear about their career journeys and have the chance to network with trainees and graduate recruitment. You’ll need to submit two questions when applying to attend.

🏙️ Broadway House Chambers (Leeds)
Broadway House is hosting an event at its Leeds office on Wednesday 25th November, 5.30-7.30pm, with barristers, staff and pupils on hand to answer your questions.

🤝 Legal Pro Recruitment (Birmingham)
We spotted this one on LinkedIn yesterday… Boutique agency Legal Pro Recruitment is offering internships working directly on headhunting, candidate and client management and business development with law firms. Three of the five places are left; we’d recommend applying ASAP if legal recruitment is something you’re interested in.

🎓 David Gray Solicitors (Newcastle)
University students can now apply for one of six week-long work placements at this North East firm in 2027, with successful candidates hearing back by the end of January. There’s also a single placement for 16 to 18 year olds considering law, closing on 31st January 2027. Deadline for university students: 30th November.

⚖️ Cloisters (London)
Cloisters is offering three-day mini-pupillages in January and February 2027. Five of the ten places are reserved for applicants from less advantaged backgrounds, disabled applicants and those with caring responsibilities, with £200 towards expenses, and strong applicants who miss out may still be invited to a separate open evening. Deadline: 25th November.

🎯 City of London Law Society (National)
If you already work in social welfare law but can’t afford to qualify, this scheme covers BARBRI SQE prep courses and SQE assessment fees. You’ll need your employer’s support and a commitment to stay in social welfare law for two years after qualifying. Deadline: 5pm, 16th November.

💜 Centre for Women’s Justice (London)
This feminist legal charity’s Azra Kemal Legal Internship is a paid, part-time placement (three days a week) working alongside its lawyers, with one place starting in January 2027 and another in July 2027. It’s open to women of Black, Asian and/or minoritised ethnicity who have completed, or are studying, a law degree or conversion course at a non-Russell Group university. Deadline: 9am, 23rd November.

✍️ 1 King’s Bench Walk (London)
Aspiring family barristers can write their way into a mini-pupillage with 1KBW’s essay competition, open to undergraduates, law school students and anyone seeking a family law pupillage. This year’s question asks whether cohabitants should have the same financial protections as married couples (max 1,500 words), and the runner-up joins a panel discussion with members of chambers. Deadline: 17th November.

🗓️ Holmes & Hills Solicitors (Essex & Suffolk)
Holmes & Hills recruits all of its trainees through its Summer Vacation Scheme, which runs from 14th to 18th June 2027 and leads to training contracts starting in 2028 or 2029. During the week you’ll rotate through several departments, complete real tasks and meet partners and associates at a networking event. Deadline: 5th February 2027.

💼 Trainee, Apprenticeship & Pupillage Roles

⚖️ Kennedys (London & Cambridge)
Two different routes to qualifying at Kennedys this week, both open to law graduates and non-law graduates who’ve done a law conversion course. In London, the 33-month Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship puts you in the Aviation team while you study with BPP one day a week, fully funded. In Cambridge, the 2028 Healthcare Training Contract has you working on clinical negligence claims, inquests and regulatory matters for NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers. Deadline: 30th November.

🏡 Attwells Solicitors (Various)
Attwells has opened applications for two routes: a Property Apprenticeship leading to qualification as a CLC Licensed Conveyancer, and a Solicitor Apprenticeship that takes you through an LLB and the SQE. You’ll work in the office with the equivalent of one day a week studying. The property route is open to all ages, while the solicitor route is currently for applicants under 22.

🏙️ RPC (London)
RPC’s six-year London Solicitor Apprenticeship is aimed at school leavers, with one day a week studying with The University of Law towards a law degree and the SQE, and all tuition and exam fees covered. You’ll start in the Legal Matter Support team before three 12-month placements and a final two years in the training contract rotation. You’ll need five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including Maths and English) and 120 UCAS points. Deadline: 9th November, earlier than usual because of high demand, so be quick.

📚 Mishcon de Reya (London)
School leavers can earn while they learn on Mishcon’s six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship, gaining an LLB in Legal Practice from The University of Law and qualifying as a solicitor, with all tuition fees paid. It isn’t open to anyone who already has a degree, and the programme starts in September 2027. Deadline: 27th November.

🗒️ Paralegal & Entry Level Roles

🏎️ Aston Martin F1 Team (Silverstone)
Here’s an in-house role with a difference: Aston Martin’s small Legal team is hiring a Paralegal to support its work on commercial contracts, sponsorship, procurement, data protection and sports regulation. You’d be the first point of contact for day-to-day legal queries, drafting NDAs and supplier contracts and keeping the legal databases in order. Deadline: 10th November.

🤝 Enoch Evans LLP (Walsall)
Enoch Evans is hiring a Paralegal for its Corporate team, working on M&A, restructuring and commercial contracts with exposure to due diligence and Companies House filings. All levels of experience are considered. Apply with your CV and covering letter.

✊ UNISON (London)
UNISON is recruiting three Paralegals for its in-house Legal Services team, supporting solicitors with case management, litigation, legal research and admin across employment, personal injury, criminal and immigration law. It’s well suited to law graduates with strong communication, organisation and teamwork skills. Applications close on 16th November.

🔎 BCL Legal (Manchester)
For law graduates curious about the business of law rather than practising it, BCL Legal is hiring a Legal Graduate Recruitment Resourcer in Manchester. You’ll research the legal market, identify candidates and build relationships with lawyers to support live recruitment assignments. Apply ASAP.

🦺 Health and Safety Executive (Various)
Curious about how laws actually get made? HSE is hiring a Paralegal Officer for its new advisory legal team, where you’d help with legal research, drafting secondary legislation, meetings with barristers and work across government. You’ll need some experience managing your own caseload, and the job involves regular travel to HSE’s headquarters in Bootle. Deadline: 16th November.

⚡ Corona Energy (Watford)
Corona Energy, one of the UK’s leading independent energy suppliers, is hiring a Legal Assistant to support its General Counsel and Legal Team. You’ll gain in-house experience across commercial contracts, legal research, corporate governance, compliance and data protection, working closely with different teams across the business. Previous legal administration experience is desirable but not essential. Apply ASAP!

💼 TLT (Remote)
A remote option for paralegals who want to build in-house experience. TLT is hiring a Contract Paralegal for three to six months to support a client’s in-house legal team, handling legal questions from across the business and reviewing commercial contracts such as NDAs and supplier agreements. You’ll need some previous paralegal experience for this one. Deadline: 31st December.

📂 Rayden Solicitors (Beaconsfield & Berkhamsted)
Specialist family law firm Rayden is hiring a Paralegal on a six-month fixed-term contract, splitting time between its Beaconsfield and Berkhamsted offices. You’ll prepare court bundles, handle client correspondence and enquiries, carry out legal research and help at marketing events. A strong academic background in law is needed, with family law experience a bonus rather than a must, so apply ASAP.

⚖️ Sintons (Newcastle)
It’s not a legal role, but it’s a foot in the door at a full-service firm with over 125 years of history: Sintons is hiring a full-time Client Experience Assistant for its front-of-house team. Hospitality or professional services experience is desirable, but great communication, strong IT skills and a welcoming manner matter most.

🗂️ Browne Jacobson (Nottingham)
A good first step into a national law firm if you’re organised and confident with Microsoft Office. Browne Jacobson is hiring a permanent Team Assistant to look after client files, set up new matters and prepare court bundles for its legal teams, with hybrid and flexible working considered. The advert doesn’t ask for legal experience, just strong communication and an eye for detail. Apply ASAP.

Your questions answered

Q: I’ve been in a legal admin type role at a regional law firm for two years. Is it normal to negotiate pay this early in my career or will it look ungrateful? I don’t want to jeopardise my chances of moving up in the firm.

My response: First things first: asking about a pay rise is not ungrateful and managers should expect this kind of conversation. It’s a normal part of working life and two years in is a very natural point to raise it. Handled well, it can actually show the kind of professionalism and self-awareness that gets people noticed for progression.

💡 Why two years is a good moment
You’ll know the systems, the personalities and the tasks required to perform your role well at this stage. You’ve probably picked up additional work beyond your original job description too. You’ll be adding more value to the law firm than you did at the start and in my opinion, that should be reflected in your pay.

📅 Pick your timing
If you don’t already know, find out when your firm does pay reviews. Many firms set salaries at a specific point in the year, often linked to appraisals or the financial year. Raising it a month or two before decisions are made gives your manager time to make the case for you.

🔍 Do your research and prepare
Look at what similar roles pay in your area. Recruitment agency salary guides and current job adverts are a good starting point, but you can also ask a friendly recruiter for some advice too. Then make a list of what you’ve achieved: extra responsibilities, processes you’ve improved, positive appraisals and feedback you’ve received in the past. Specific examples of where you’ve gone above and beyond are far more persuasive than “I’ve been here for a couple of years”.

🗣️ Frame it around your future
Since you want to progress in this firm, make that part of the conversation. You could say something like: “I really enjoy working here and I’d love to keep developing with the firm. I’ve taken on more since I started, including X and Y, and I’d like to talk about what my next steps could look like and whether I could be considered for a salary increase.”

📈 Think beyond salary
If you have the conversation and find out the budget genuinely isn’t there for your role, there may be other things worth asking for:

• A move to a different role or team, if that’s something that would interest you.

• Financial support with a training course you’d like to take part in to advance your skills or knowledge for the next stage of your career.

• More legal work that could count as qualifying work experience if you’re thinking about sitting the SQE.

🙅 If the answer is no
Don’t panic and don’t take it personally. Ask what you’d need to show to be considered next time and agree a date to revisit it. I appreciate it’s a tough legal market right now, so it’s not quite as simple as finding another job in a week, but it’s not bad or wrong to consider whether looking for a different role is a good idea, especially if your research suggests you are being underpaid.

✨ The bottom line
A respectful, well-prepared conversation won’t damage your chances of moving up. If anything, it tells your firm and your line manager that you take your career seriously and that’s exactly the kind of person they should want at their firm.

5 minutes with… Zara Saad, on finding her feet in an immigration appeals team Story page

We talk a lot about how to land work experience. But what happens once you actually walk through the door?

Zara, an LLB graduate from Queen Mary University of London, spent time with the immigration appeals team at Primus Solicitors in Manchester. Her piece covers the part nobody warns you about, what immigration work is really like and how she found her placement.

👋 The part nobody warns you about

When we talk about work experience, we usually focus on everything before day one: polishing the CV, tailoring cover letters, sending applications and finally getting that offer email.

What I hadn’t considered until I walked into the office was one simple question: how do you find your place in a team that already exists?

Everyone knows each other. They have their routines, their office banter and their ways of working. Meanwhile, you’re the new intern quietly working out who to direct questions to, whether asking for more tasks looks like “trying too hard”, and how many times a day it’s normal to say hello.

My colleagues were welcoming, but I still overthought how I was coming across. What helped me was shifting my focus from how I was perceived to what I could learn. Once I started absorbing everything like a sponge, I felt more confident speaking to senior colleagues, asking for clarity when I was unsure and asking for tasks that added value.

🛂 What the work actually involved

On my first day, I was handed a detailed training pack explaining each document involved in appealing Home Office refusals of asylum claims, along with tips on improving my legal writing. On previous placements I’d picked things up as I went, so this felt different. For the first time, I wasn’t just being told what to do. I was being taught why each step mattered.

I drafted three or four witness statements responding directly to Home Office refusal letters, which was brilliant hands-on experience. The most challenging task, by far, was assessing clients’ financial eligibility for civil legal aid. My degree focused on statutory interpretation and legal principles, so working through financial assessments felt like GCSE French all over again. Reading and re-reading the government guidance eventually made it much easier to judge whether clients met the scope, merits and means tests. Active recall got me through my exams, and it turns out it works at work too 😊

💡 What university doesn’t teach you

Chatting with colleagues taught me things I’d never come across at university, like Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs). These are reports the Home Office produces on conditions in different countries, which its decision makers rely on when deciding asylum claims, so understanding them is a big part of preparing and challenging a case. It’s the kind of practical knowledge I think deserves more space in academic study.

Immigration law is sometimes seen as dry, or as lacking the “big commercial appeal” of corporate work. My experience was the complete opposite. Many clients had fled religious and political conflict, persecution or the threat of serious harm, and every case felt deeply human. Knowing that what I produced could directly affect a vulnerable person’s life made the work intellectually stimulating and genuinely meaningful.

📧 How I found my placement

There’s no single way to get work experience, and what works for one person won’t work for everyone. For me, after a suggestion from my brother, it was cold emailing.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Emailing firms I’d never had any contact with felt daunting at first. I focused on one or two areas of law I was genuinely interested in and was open to working anywhere in the UK, which is how a London graduate ended up in Manchester. Alongside my CV and a cover letter, I linked to my LinkedIn and my non-profit blog, Spill The Tea.

Plenty of firms said no or didn’t reply, and I tried not to take that personally. Over time, it became as much a confidence exercise as anything else, and it led me to a placement I loved.

Thank you so much to Zara for sharing her experience. If you want to follow her journey, you can connect with her on LinkedIn. If you’re interested in writing a piece for a future Inclusie Club newsletter, you can contact us here.

This week’s career tip

Haven’t found legal work experience yet? Don’t overlook a Christmas temp job.

Retail, hospitality and customer service roles build skills you’ll need in a legal career: handling tricky customers, working under pressure and juggling priorities. Some firms we’ve featured (we’re looking at you, DAC Beachcroft, TWM Solicitors and Shakespeare Martineau 👀) have even called out retail and hospitality experience as an advantage. It all counts, as long as you know how to talk about it.

Try this: If you pick up seasonal work, keep a note of one example each week where you solved a real customer problem or went the extra mile. It’ll help to answer competency questions in future interviews.

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.