Hello MN :)
I have only posted once before and got lots of useful and interesting responses so posting again.
I was offered a training contract with a law firm last year. I applied to my firm because they offer seats in private client and business services, though do as a rule prefer you to stick to one 'stream'. Qualifying pay is lower in private client (I would be qualifying on less than I earned in my previous non-law role, though in professional services so perhaps not a fair yardstick...) though potentially really interesting, and I am lucky to be training with a firm that offers both. It is a full-service firm and I will be in the London office.
I'm doing my qualifications now and - subject to exams etc - should join next September. However I need to tell the firm which 'stream' I'd prefer to do. Ideally I would like to do a mix of both, though suspect this may not be possible! I think I am interested in the following areas (based on study and personal interest) but am really keen to hear thoughts from any qualified solicitors on which of the following areas are:
A) interesting and enjoyable i.e. sustainable over the long-term
B) relatively non-cyclical (so no feast then famine in turns of hiring followed by lay-offs)
C) will potentially allow me to move around long term should I want to (i.e. go in-house etc)
Areas of interest:
- Employment (specifically litigation)
- Family (though appreciate q specialised i.e. less scope to move around plus potentially very emotionally taxing)
- Planning and construction
- Real Estate disputes
- Negligence (am really enjoying studying tort)
If you practice in any of the areas above - or any other area - and would like to share what you do or don't enjoy about your role then please do :) especially keen actually to hear from anyone in commercial or contract as suspect I may get put in a commercial seat due to my pre-conversion background.
Thank you mumsnetters !