Our guide to unlocking new, diverse and often overlooked pathways into a career in law
Here’s what to expect this week…
Opportunities we’ve spotted, including legal work experience, paralegal roles, pupillages and training contracts
Our weekly Q&A, answering your questions about careers in law
5 minutes with... Zoreen Aziz, a solicitor in Dispute Resolution
And finally, a career tip you can put into practice this week
Let’s get into it 👇
Career opportunities spotted this week 👀
📍 Work experience, insight days and legal placement opportunities
⭐ Nelsons Solicitors (Virtual)
Nelsons Virtual Insight Programme starts tomorrow (the registration form is still open so we understand there’s still time to get involved)! It’s open to all students and graduates; no experience required. The first morning will focus on routes into law and the second morning will explain how their legal teams operate. Don’t forget to tell them you spotted the opportunity in our newsletter!
⚖️ Quadrant Chambers (London)
If you're curious about the Commercial Bar, this is a great way to get a proper look inside! Quadrant offer 2-day mini-pupillages where you'll be reading papers, doing legal research and chatting through cases with barristers, with the chance to sit in on court, arbitrations and client conferences too. Two rounds of dates are up for grabs: weeks of 7 and 14 September (deadline 4th August) and weeks of 7 and 14 December (deadline 13th October). They cover reasonable travel expenses for in-person minis to keep access fair. Apply via their online form.🎓 AskTrainees x Gateley Legal (Various)
A 4-day work experience placement for aspiring solicitors, run by AskTrainees whose aim is to level the playing field for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Open to everyone, but those who meet certain criteria are especially encouraged to apply. A great way to get a first look at commercial practice.⚖️ Francis Taylor Building (Virtual)
Interested in public, admin and environmental law? FTB will be hosting a virtual mini pupillage day on 9th October 2026. Attendees will gain insights about pupillage and tenancy at FTB and the application and interview process. They will also take part in interactive advocacy exercises and explore leading cases. Double-check the post for eligibility requirements. Deadline: 14 August 2026.
💼 Trainee, Apprenticeship & Pupillage Roles
⭐ Inclusie’s pick of the week ⭐
🏢 Equans UK Legal Team (London & Birmingham)
Fancy an in-house route to qualification?
This opportunity is with Equans' UK Legal Team, covering everything from construction and energy to M&A, employment and data protection, plus two seats seconded to sister companies Bouygues Construction and Colas. Four six-month seats over two years, with a September 2026 start. Apply ASAP.
⚖️ Devon Chambers (Plymouth)
You’ll need to be extra quick for this one - deadline is 4pm today! A friendly, well-regarded set is offering one 12-month common law pupillage commencing October 2026, split into six months non-practising and six months practising. You'll get a dedicated pupil supervisor plus ongoing support from the Pupillage Officer throughout. A great one for anyone drawn to criminal, family or civil work outside London.🏠 Nelsons (Derby)
A 2-year training contract entirely within Nelsons' Real Estate/Commercial Property team, giving hands-on experience and direct client interaction in one specialism rather than rotating seats. Deadline: 28th August.💼 David Gray LLP (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
A full-time Trainee Solicitor role with a varied caseload, hands-on client contact, and mentoring from experienced solicitors, starting 2nd November 2026. Could be a great opportunity! Deadline: 16th August 2026.📝 GA Solicitors (Plymouth)
A multi-sector firm is opening its 2027 training contracts, with at least two on offer each year across contentious and non-contentious teams. You'll rotate through four six-month seats over the two-year programme, ideally finishing in the team you hope to qualify into. Deadline: 31st October 2026, so plenty of time for this one.📝 Birketts LLP (Ipswich)
A small number of direct training contract spots for a September 2028 start in Ipswich. Trainees speak highly of the responsibility and work-life balance on offer here compared with bigger City firms. Apply ASAP.
⚖️ Paralegal/Entry Level Roles
🚓 David Gray Solicitors (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Looking for a way into criminal defence work? This Crime Paralegal role has you right at the heart of a busy Criminal Defence team, from processing urgent police station and court documentation to liaising with clients, courts, the CPS and counsel. Previous legal admin or criminal law experience is a bonus rather than a must - they're really looking for the right attitude and someone who stays calm under pressure. Deadline: 9th August.🤝 Bolt Burdon Kemp (London)
This London firm is hiring a Paralegal, working on complex abuse compensation claims that make a real difference to clients. What we love here is the clear route forward: the firm only recruits its trainees from existing paralegals, so this is a genuine springboard for anyone aiming to qualify as a claimant solicitor! Prior litigation experience is a bonus rather than a must. Deadline: 3rd August.💳 Mastercard (Peterborough or Lisbon)
They are hiring a new Legal & Compliance team member and are open to hearing from recent graduates - either a keen interest or experience within compliance is a bonus here. Apply ASAP.
🚆 East West Railway Company (Milton Keynes)
An opportunity to join a growing legal team as a Paralegal. You’d support claims, disclosure, compliance, drafting and document management, while also helping them build the tools and processes that underpin an effective in‑house legal service. It does require some prior experience as you would be the only Paralegal and the role comes with more responsibility. Apply ASAP.🏠 Countrywide Mortgage Services (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
A great "no experience necessary" route into conveyancing: you'll manage your own caseload from instruction through to completion and registration, with full training and a supervising Conveyancer providing day-to-day support. Ideal if you're a recent (or soon-to-be) law graduate wanting hands-on property law experience, or already running a remortgage caseload and looking to build on it. Apply ASAP.🚆 Stadler (Liverpool/Newcastle)
If you have recently graduated, Stadler is looking for someone to support the Commercial and Legal Department. This is a fixed-term contract for 18 months. Experience and interest in the rail industry is highly welcomed!📜 Lanyon Bowdler (Telford)
A Legal Support Assistant role in the Private Client team, helping clients through wills, LPAs and estate planning. No previous legal experience needed, full training given, they're just looking for someone organised, personable and ready to make a difference. Apply ASAP.🏗️ STARK Group (Coventry)
A Legal Assistant role with STARK Building Materials UK, which could be of interest if you’re hoping to train in-house. It does state that either the LPC/SQE and some prior admin experience is ideal but it isn’t required to apply. Apply ASAP.🩹 Thompsons Solicitors (Sheffield)
A Paralegal role in the Personal Injury team at this Sheffield-based, national fast-track claimant firm. You would manage your own caseload with full training, supervision and ongoing coaching. You’ll work with clients involved in road traffic accidents, employer liability and public liability claims, guiding them through each stage of the process. Apply ASAP.🏠 Simper Law Limited (Ipswich)
A Paralegal role in the Residential Conveyancing team. No prior conveyancing experience needed, and the firm's pitched as genuinely investing time in training you properly rather than throwing you in at the deep end. Apply by sending your CV to [email protected].🩹 Keoghs LLP (Southampton)
Interested in being a Complex Injury Paralegal? You'd be helping progress cases from start to finish and support one of their newest partners directly. You'll gain hands-on experience, develop your legal knowledge and take the first steps in your career journey. They're looking for someone who's keen and has the right attitude to bring to the team. Apply ASAP.
Your questions answered ❓
Question: I've just received my first year results from university and I got a 2:2. I'm so disappointed, although I know I found the exams harder than I thought. I'm trying not to spiral but I'm worried this will stop me securing a training contract or pupillage. Am I right to be panicking?
My response: Firstly, take a breath. A 2:2 is definitely not the end of the world, nor does it define what comes next for your legal career.
📉 First year rarely counts the way you think it does
Most people perform worse in first year, and it often counts little if at all to your final classification. Recruiters know this too. Many firms, companies and chambers focus far more on your final grade and your overall trajectory than how you started out.
🔍 Figure out why you didn’t perform as well as you thought
You said the exams were harder than expected. Was it exam technique, time pressure, revision, not knowing what law exams demand compared to A-levels, or something else entirely? I personally really struggled with exams in second year. A combination of factors took a toll on my mental health, and I didn't perform as well as I'd hoped. Don't be afraid to speak to your tutors, university staff, or a careers advice service for support. Small technique changes often make a big difference.
📝 Widen your view
I'm not going to sugar coat it; a 2:2 might mean you struggle to secure a vacation scheme next year at the biggest firms and chambers. But it absolutely does not close the profession to you. Plenty of firms and businesses care far more about you as a person: your other experiences, your hobbies and interests, your commercial awareness and your commitment, rather than just your transcript.
Even if you did get a 2:2 in your degree, it doesn't close off a career in law, it just means you might need to get more inventive with your pathway in. That’s something we can hopefully help with at Inclusie Club.
💪 Don't let this define you
Finally, you've got plenty of time yet. It’s easy to compare your results and your journey to others, but everyone’s path and career looks different. Enjoy the summer and come back for year two with some extra resilience and determination.
✍️ 5 minutes with… Zoreen Aziz
This week we spoke to Zoreen, a Dispute Resolution Solicitor at Levi Solicitors, who qualified through the CILEX route after six years as a paralegal.
She shares some common misconceptions about CILEX and why you shouldn’t compare your legal journey to anyone else’s.
I’d love to hear more about your career journey so far and what led you to qualify through the CILEX route over the “traditional” training contract route (LPC/SQE).
When I graduated I didn’t think I was ready for a training contract so instead I started as a paralegal to get valuable office experience and insight. After 6 years and working my way up I started to apply for training contracts but quickly realised how competitive they were and that there wasn’t just one way to achieve my goal.
The CILEX route gave me the opportunity to earn while I learned, gain practical experience from day one and develop my legal knowledge alongside real client work. I spent six years working as a paralegal before qualifying through CILEX and later cross-qualifying as a solicitor through the SRA.
For me, qualification wasn’t about taking the quickest route, it was about finding the route that worked for my circumstances. Looking back, I think the experience I gained before qualifying has been invaluable. By the time I became a solicitor, I’d already dealt with a wide range of cases, worked closely with clients and understood the realities of practice.
What’s a common misconception about CILEX in your opinion?
The biggest misconception is that it’s somehow an “easier” route. The qualification routes are different, but the end goal is the same: producing competent, capable lawyers. CILEX requires years of study alongside qualifying employment and you’re assessed on both your academic knowledge and your practical experience.
In fact, I think qualifying through CILEX often gives you a huge amount of hands-on experience because you’re immersed in legal practice throughout your studies. Clients don’t ask how you qualified; they want someone who understands their problem, communicates well and gets the best possible outcome.
Your route into the profession doesn’t define the quality of lawyer you’ll become.
You had a few non-legal jobs before joining the legal sector. What transferable skills from those roles would you say you use the most?
More than people probably realise.
Customer service taught me how to communicate with people from all walks of life, stay calm under pressure and manage difficult conversations with empathy. Those skills are just as important when you’re dealing with clients who may be facing stressful or emotional disputes.
Working outside of law also gave me resilience, adaptability and a strong work ethic. You learn how to prioritise, manage competing demands and build relationships with different personalities. Those are skills I still rely on every day as a solicitor.
Technical legal knowledge can be taught, but qualities like empathy, emotional intelligence and communication are developed through life experience and they make a real difference especially in my role as a Dispute Resolution Solicitor.
What advice would you give to aspiring lawyers who would like to qualify as solicitors but may be doubting themselves?
Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s.
It’s easy to look around and think you’re behind because your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s, but there is no “perfect” route into law. The profession is becoming more diverse, and that’s a good thing.
I qualified around the average age for solicitors in England and Wales, and I’m proud of the route I took. Every setback, every detour and every job I had before qualification has shaped the lawyer I am today.
If you’re doubting yourself, remember that your route does not determine your potential. Keep asking questions, keep gaining experience and keep putting yourself forward for opportunities. The legal profession needs people with different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
Your journey might not be conventional, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable.
Thank you to Eniola for helping to put together this piece, and to Zoreen for her inspiring story! You can hear more about Zoreen’s journey by following her on LinkedIn.
And finally, a career tip ✍️
I get asked a lot what qualities I think stand out in a junior legal professional.
In my opinion, the main trait is a willingness to roll your sleeves up and have a go. Firms and companies are looking for someone who shows initiative by asking what needs doing, then just gets stuck in.
It sounds simple, but it's rarer than you'd think. Plenty of people wait to be told exactly what to do or frown when given the "boring" tasks. The ones who stand out are the ones who spot a gap, ask a good question, and give every task 100%.
Show willing, stay curious, and don't be afraid to dive in before you feel ready. No one expects you to have all the answers, but enthusiasm goes a long way.
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.