Solicitor

As a solicitor, you would:

• advise clients on legal matters and courses of action
•  instruct barristers or advocates to act for clients
•  draft confidential letters, contracts and legal documents
•  research legal records and case law
•  attend meetings, tribunals and negotiations to resolve legal issues
•  manage finances and prepare papers for court
•  keep up to date with changes in the law

• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• the traditional solicitor qualifying route until 2032

With experience, you could become a partner in a private practice firm of solicitors. As a commercial solicitor, you could manage an in-house legal department.

You might also wish to specialise in a particular area of law.

Examples include:

• employment
•  criminal justice
•  corporate
•  family

You could use your legal training to work as a legal officer in the armed forces. You can find more information at:

• Army
• Royal Air Force