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Original poster

Lawyers of mumsnet- help with DD's A level choices

96 replies

Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 19:11

Hi everyone!!
My eldest DD is due to pick her A level choices soon- she's in year 11. Where does all the time go? Anyway, she's very keen to be a lawyer and I think she'd make a great one, but I'm not very experienced in this career path. She's not sure what to pick and I'm curious as to what will help her the most (and what universities will want!!) I know there's Google and trust me, she's done a lot of googling, but I thought I should take it from the best, so what A levels did you pick if you wanted to be a lawyer?? Thanks in advance mumsnet!! Any tips or advice for this career also welcome!! xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 19:18

Shamelessly boosting my own thread!!

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Eyerollcentral · 01/12/2022 19:20

When you say lawyer do you mean barrister or solicitor? Or has she no preference on that front yet? Has she any legal work experience? Most of my friends and colleagues have solidly academic arts A levels, usually including a language. Absolutely not law A level. Law is a very, very dry degree for the most part and quite difficult vs other courses. If I had my time again I would seriously consider a history or English lit degree and then do a one year GDL to pursue a legal career. Most people who study law at university do not actually pursue a legal career (put off for life!!)

Merrow · 01/12/2022 19:21

Well, there will be lots of essay writing and close analysis of text so I'd do two humanities plus whatever takes her fancy. Personally I did English, History, Maths and government & politics.

Merrow · 01/12/2022 19:21

And I did do what the poster above suggested! English degree then GDL. I'd recommend it as a route.

Greatbiggoldfish · 01/12/2022 19:22

Many years ago now - economics , politics and English lit

thinkfast · 01/12/2022 19:24

Any strong academic subjects will be fine.

I did English literature, French, German and religious studies.

If she wants to go into certain types of law such as IP/ patent technology litigation, or construction, then scientific subjects would be useful.

DaisyWaldron · 01/12/2022 19:24

I did English, history, French and German followed by an English degree and a GDL. At that time, the people who were really sought after were the ones who did science degrees before the GDl, and also the ones who were fluent in several languages.

Blankscreen · 01/12/2022 19:29

I did biology chemistry and physics 😂

Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:14

Thanks for the replies everyone, will pass these on to her!! She thinks she wants to be a barrister but is still a little scared of the speaking in public bit, will this be a big issue and is there anything she can do?? xx

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Merrow · 01/12/2022 20:31

There were be loads of groups she can join at uni (whatever she ends up studying) where she can practice getting more confident at speaking in public. I don't work with barristers often but none have given the impression that they struggle with speaking in public, but how much of that is a facade who knows! What is it that she finds appealling about being a barrister?

DiamanteDelia · 01/12/2022 20:37

DH and I are both lawyers. I did English, maths and German, he did economics, physics and chemistry.

I’d suggest she picks academic subjects that she enjoys and will do well in. The precise subjects matter less. A subject which involves essay-writing and analysis, such as English or history, would be good. But her priority should be the best possible grades.

Snowjive2 · 01/12/2022 20:37

She should do what she is best at and will get highest grades in. I did sciences and maths, very useful for developing rigorous analytical thinking, which is key as a barrister.
Public speaking - what barristers do is not like debating. It is the presentation of an argument. We all get nervous, but the nerves are more akin to those before an exam, rather than those before delivering a lecture or presentation. The audience, for a barrister practising civil law, is usually one person, the judge. In appellate courts, it is usually no more than 3 or 5 judges. It is not like speaking to a room full of people.

Ciri · 01/12/2022 20:37

It doesn’t matter as long as they’re traditional subjects. But if you do an essay based subject that will help. The important thing is she will need excellent results.

I did German, Maths and Economics, DH did English Lit, Economics and Geography.

DS1 is following in our footsteps hopefully and has done History, English Lit and Economics.

she shouldn’t do for example PE, media studies and dance. Too risky on her cv - perceived by other lawyers as lightweight.

SweetSakura · 01/12/2022 20:38

I would say history /English both good for the essay writing.
Doesn't do harm to have some solid foundation in science too though.
Primarily I would say pick what she is strongest in
"Law" is such a diverse field that all kinds of different background knowledge come into play. And it is generally most interesting when you find an area of law which aligns with an area of life you find interesting.

SweetSakura · 01/12/2022 20:40

Speaking in public becomes easier with time. I never thought I would like it, but now I happily do it without a second thought.

Snowjive2 · 01/12/2022 20:41

But if DD is not naturally confident or (like most of us) good at pretending to be confident, she will not enjoy being a barrister. It is a very, very stressful job, albeit very well remunerated as long as you practise commercial law.

Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:41

@Merrow She loves to think on her feet, great at arguments, and she enjoys picking things apart to find an answer or question somebody else.

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Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:43

SweetSakura · 01/12/2022 20:40

Speaking in public becomes easier with time. I never thought I would like it, but now I happily do it without a second thought.

Thanks for that! She'll still do debates and things but she does go a bit shaky, doesn't let it stop her though! Makes me just want to go up and hug her.

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Ciri · 01/12/2022 20:43

I’m more than 25 years PQE and still get nervous before full court hearings with cross examination etc. It’s the adrenaline. In my area there are typically about ten people in the room.

Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:44

Also, like most of us, when does enjoy money!! I know everyone thinks this career pays very well but does it really?? Obviously it won't put her off doing it much but it would help!!

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Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:45

Ciri · 01/12/2022 20:43

I’m more than 25 years PQE and still get nervous before full court hearings with cross examination etc. It’s the adrenaline. In my area there are typically about ten people in the room.

Thanks you! Have you got any tips for dealing with the pressure?

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twinklestarin · 01/12/2022 20:45

i did english lit, psychology and history

Ciri · 01/12/2022 20:45

Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:44

Also, like most of us, when does enjoy money!! I know everyone thinks this career pays very well but does it really?? Obviously it won't put her off doing it much but it would help!!

Depends what type of law she does.

Original poster
Mumof3lovelies · 01/12/2022 20:46

twinklestarin · 01/12/2022 20:45

i did english lit, psychology and history

Sounds like her dream subjects tbh! Who doesn't love history though?

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randomsabreuse · 01/12/2022 20:48

Legal recruiters are traditionalists, so traditional academic A-Levels that she will get good marks in is the priority.

I'd recommend an essay subject to keep in practice for degree level but I didn't do one (Maths, French, Physics) and got where I thought I wanted to be.