Solicitor

What is a solicitor?

A solicitor is a legal professional who provides advice and services to clients on various legal matters.

What does a solicitor do?

Usually, a solicitor does the following:

• Represents clients in legal matters and provides them with legal advice
• Prepares legal documents such as contracts and wills
• Conducts research on legal cases and relevant laws
• Represents clients in court and in negotiations
• Communicates with clients, opposing parties, and other legal professionals

What does the day-to-day life of a solicitor look like?

A solicitor usually works between 9am and 5pm, though this may vary depending on the law firm or if you are self-employed. You may have meetings with clients, research and analyze legal cases, draft documents, and attend court hearings. Some solicitors may also have to work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines.

Where does a solicitor work?

Solicitors mostly work in law firms, which can be of different sizes and specializations. There are also solicitors who work in the legal departments of companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Some solicitors choose to be self-employed and work as sole practitioners or in small partnerships.

What tools/software/hardware does a solicitor use?

A solicitor uses various tools and software including:

• Legal research platforms: Examples include Westlaw and LexisNexis, which provide access to legal databases and resources.
• Document management systems: These tools help solicitors organize and manage client documents and case files.
• Legal billing software: Used for time tracking, generating invoices, and managing financial information.

What do I need to become a solicitor?

To become a solicitor in the UK, you need to follow these steps:

1. Law degree: Obtain a qualifying law degree (LLB) or complete the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
2. Legal Practice Course (LPC): Complete the LPC, which is a professional training program focusing on practical skills needed for the legal profession.
3. Training Contract: Secure a training contract, which is a two-year period of on-the-job training with a law firm or other approved organization.
4. Solicitor Qualification: Once you successfully complete your training contract, you will be eligible to apply for admission to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and become a qualified solicitor.

What career paths are available?

There are a number of career paths available to you as a solicitor, including:

• Senior Solicitor: With experience and expertise, you can advance to a senior solicitor position within a law firm or organization.
• Partner: Some solicitors may progress to become partners in law firms, sharing ownership and management responsibilities.
• In-house Counsel: You can work as an in-house solicitor for a company, providing legal advice and support within the organization.
• Judicial Roles: With significant experience, you may have the opportunity to become a judge or magistrate.

What jobs are similar to a solicitor?

• Barrister: Barristers are legal professionals who specialize in courtroom advocacy and provide specialist legal opinions.
• Legal Executive: Legal executives have similar responsibilities to solicitors and can work in legal firms or in-house legal departments.
• Legal Advisor: Legal advisors provide legal guidance and support to individuals, organizations, or government agencies.
• Paralegal: Paralegals assist solicitors and barristers in legal research, drafting documents, and general case management.

What made you want to become a solicitor?

How did you get your first solicitor job?

What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a solicitor?

Are you a solicitor? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to solicitor. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.