Barristers of MN

[DianaDoors]

Just wondered if I could pick your brains on behalf of my goddaughter. She’s keen on a legal career but also loves French and German. She’s trying to decide what to read at university.

I’m a city solicitor. We’d be just as happy with an applicant who read French and German at a good university and then did a conversion as we would with someone who had read law (in fact, fluent French and German would be a great asset). I don’t have any sense whether the same is true for chambers, however- is there a preference at pupillage stage for law grads?

Any advice very gratefully received. DGD doesn’t know yet whether she wants to be a solicitor or a barrister so Is keen to keep options open.

Thank you.

My understanding is that there is no preference in speaking to colleagues at work, the vast majority of whom are either former barristers or still doing it part time around their other role. We are in the same position with DS1. We are both senior lawyers.

DS1 is going to do history and will then do a conversion.

This is very interesting re the conversion course. I personally think DD would make an excellent lawyer or barrister.

If anything, we have a slight preference for conversion candidates - not in the sense that we go looking for them, but they often come across as better rounded in interview. Fluent French and German would undoubtedly be an asset. In her shoes I would read modern languages, take up some mini-pupillages towards the end of university or after graduation, maybe have a look at internships at the UN or UNHCR, and then see if she wants to do the GDL.

These replies are very helpful- thank you.