Q&A
Your questions answered
Real questions from aspiring legal professionals, answered honestly in the newsletter. Search, or browse by topic.
Everyone keeps talking about legal networking to improve my chances of getting a training contract but I don't really know what that means. Is it just going to open days and talking to different lawyers? Any advice please! From Weekly Newsletter #21 · 27 Sept 2026 · Networking
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I'm about to start my first paralegal role working in-house. What can I do in the first month to stand out? From Weekly Newsletter #20 · 20 Sept 2026 · Life as a Trainee/Apprentice
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I failed SQE1 this week and I don't know what to do next. Should I resit straight away or try a different career? I’m worried I’ve ruined any chance of qualifying or securing a training contract. From Weekly Newsletter #19 · 13 Sept 2026 · Wellbeing Choosing a Route
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What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career as a human rights lawyer and make that dream a reality, particularly when it can feel like everyone else is pursuing commercial law? How can I go about finding meaningful opportunities and gaining experience in the areas of law I am genuinely interested in, rather than feeling pressured to pursue commercial legal experience simply for the sake of it? From Weekly Newsletter #18 · 6 Sept 2026 · Choosing a Route
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I’m applying for training contracts in the next cycle and I’m really nervous about group exercises. I’ve really never done anything like that before. Any tips on how to do well in them? From Weekly Newsletter #17 · 30 Aug 2026 · Assessment Centres & Interviews
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In a vacation scheme or training contract application, how should we discuss a firm’s recent deal or transaction well? How do you mention a firm’s deal to demonstrate your knowledge of their future strategy? From Weekly Newsletter #16 · 23 Aug 2026 · Applications & CVs
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I'm particularly interested in paralegal and training contract opportunities in-house. How can I tailor my cover letters to show that? From Weekly Newsletter #15 · 16 Aug 2026 · Applications & CVs
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What actually makes someone shine in a training contract interview and stand out from the crowd? From Weekly Newsletter #14 · 9 Aug 2026 · Assessment Centres & Interviews
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I'm a second year non-Law student but am hoping to qualify as a lawyer. I'm not sure whether to apply to London firms or regional ones. The pay at London firms is so much better but I don't see myself living there in the long term. Can you provide any advice please? From Weekly Newsletter #13 · 2 Aug 2026 · Choosing a Route
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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? From Weekly Newsletter #12 · 26 Jul 2026 · Wellbeing Choosing a Route
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I'm planning to sit the SQE next year. Is there any financial support available to those from working class backgrounds? From Weekly Newsletter #11 · 19 Jul 2026 · Money/Funding
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I'm currently a paralegal in a personal injury department, however I'm not sure this is an area I want to work in forever. I've done some research and insight days and I think the area I'm most interested in is family law. I'd love to qualify in that area. What can I do to get me from where I am to a training contract in family law? From Weekly Newsletter #10 · 12 Jul 2026 · Career Change
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I completed my law degree in 2022, but since then have worked in an area unrelated to law. I've always wanted to return to the legal field, but as it's been several years since, my experiences during my degree feel very outdated, and I feel I am flying blind. Do you have any guidance for someone wanting to get into the legal field after a few years removed from it? From Weekly Newsletter #9 · 5 Jul 2026 · Career Change
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I set up a LinkedIn about a year ago - I’ve only got a few connections on there and I never really check it. Will it help my chances of getting a legal role if I use LinkedIn more often? From Weekly Newsletter #8 · 28 Jun 2026 · Networking
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I’m a second year Law student and I haven’t managed to get a vacation scheme for the summer. What can I do instead over the holidays to improve my chances of securing a paralegal role or training contract on graduation? Asked by a student · From Weekly Newsletter #7 · 21 Jun 2026 · Applications & CVs
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I’m starting my training contract soon. I’d like to know what I can do to prove myself in my first seat? Asked by a graduate · From Weekly Newsletter #6 · 14 Jun 2026 · Life as a Trainee/Apprentice
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When writing training contract applications, how can I best learn and explain back in my answers the differences between different law firms? It doesn’t feel like enough to talk about their specialisms. How do I show I’ve done my research? Asked by an university student · From Weekly Newsletter #5 · 7 Jun 2026 · Applications & CVs
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I’ve been offered a training contract at a law firm that’s quite specialised, but now I’m panicking that I should wait another year and apply again for a law firm with more practice areas. I’m worried that a training contract with them might limit my future options. What should I do? Asked by an university student · From Weekly Newsletter #4 · 31 May 2026 · Choosing a Route
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Everyone talks about the importance of commercial awareness when applying to law firms and in-house legal teams. How can students realistically develop this skill week by week? Asked by a law student · From Weekly Newsletter #3 · 24 May 2026 · Applications & CVs
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I’m in my final year of university studying Law. I’m predicted a 2:1 and have been applying to vacation schemes and training contracts but have only received rejections. I’ve put in so much hard work to my degree but don’t have any connections in the industry. It feels impossible to get a foot in the door. Any advice? Asked by a law student · From Weekly Newsletter #2 · 17 May 2026 · Applications & CVs Networking
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I’m preparing for a couple of vacation scheme interviews at the moment. A topic that has come up a few times in my research is artificial intelligence. What do I need to know about AI and its use in law firms? Asked by a law student · From Weekly Newsletter #1 · 10 May 2026 · Assessment Centres & Interviews
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