Law/ Degree/ A-level - employment

[lawquestion]

Dear All,
my DS would like to work in law and hoping to choose this for a level and also work towards a degree later on.
I’ve heard some conflicting information recently, stating that City Law firms prefer youngsters not taking law for a degree… could that be true? Seems madness

many thanks for the replies in advance

Another lawyer here. Law or non-law degree is his choice and there are pros and cons to both routes. He should prioritise attending the best university he can (and I mean that in fairly narrow academic sense).

A levels- an essay subject would be good but the key is to pick subjects which are respected academically and that he will do well in. Traditionally lawyers do history, politics, MFL, English but increasingly STEM is helpful- the most in-demand applicant for TCs I know was the son of a friend of mine who had a top notch STEM background and wanted to go into IP.

@Ciri My DD knows young people who are younger than her and have taken a different route into law, recently! You assume quite a lot incorrectly. It still remains the case that top law firms take non law grads and they like different skill sets. They csn choose the best of the best, so the best at non law subjects is of interest.

I didn’t intend to name change. Blame MN hierarchy for that. I’m actually flattered someone notices my writing style - it’s journalistic! Works for me and is clearly memorable!

ok, another lawyer here: I’ve done my fair share of recruitment (international firm): I’d say do the degree you want to do. It’s three or four years of life where you get to enjoy a subject and drill down. Personally I didn’t read law and have a bit of a bias to non law graduates as I think there is a long time to practice law let alone study it too: but plenty would disagree with me.

Thank you for all the great comments so far!

@lawquestion Is your dc set on City law? The civil service (CPS) and local government have lawyers. I’d keep all options under review.

Not set on City Law at all. Both me and hubby work in the City, (not law) so the familiarity is there…

tell me more about the government route, as that could be an option

same as the private sector route except they won't pay for a law conversion.

@lawquestion Law grads can work as civil servants and also barristers work for the CPS. This is referred to as the employed bar. It’s around 20% of barristers who are employed, the others are self employed. I suggest he finds out as much as he can about routes into law and jobs afterwards. City law might be what’s obvious but it’s by no means the only work in London.