IT/IPR Law

Hi,

I'm new here, so please be gentle... :smile:

Just some background information first. I completed a Computer Science degree at UCL last year and achieved a 2:1. After graduation I took some time out to do some travelling and I am now looking for some summer work before I start a masters. The MSc is a course in Information Technology and Internet Law at King's (run jointly by CS and Law departments) - which I am doing for intellectual stimulation as well as for future career prospects. After this, I am considering undertaking a CPE/GDL.

I have a couple of questions really:

1. What are the top firms that specialise in areas such as IT and IPR and at this late stage is there any chance of getting some work experience at these kind of firms to boost my application for training contracts?

2. Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances of obtaining a TC before I embark on the CPE/GDL?

Thanks for any help.

Reply 1

muncrun

In the field of IT the UK Legal 500 recommends:

ALLEN & OVERY
BAKER & MCKENZIE
BIRD & BIRD
CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP

BARLOW LYDE & GILBERT
DLA
DENTON WILDE SAPTE
FIELD FISHER WATERHOUSE
HERBERT SMITH
KEMP LITTLE LLP
LINKLATERS
LOVELLS
MASONS

Ashurst Morris Crisp
Berwin Leighton Paisner
Bristows
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
Nabarro Nathanson
Norton Rose
Olswang
Osborne Clarke
Shaw Pittman LLP
Simmons & Simmons
Taylor Wessing
Wragge & Co LLP

Addleshaw Goddard
CMS Cameron McKenna
Charles Russell
Clyde & Co
Eversheds LLP
Harbottle & Lewis LLP
Nicholson Graham & Jones
Slaughter and May
Stephenson Harwood
Tarlo Lyons
Weil, Gotshal & Manges

Faegre Benson Hobson Audley LLP
Kirkland & Ellis
KLegal
Pinsents
Richards Butler
SJ Berwin
Steptoe & Johnson
Tite & Lewis
Withers LLP
Firms are listed in groups in order of priority, and alphabetically within groups.

Note that these are London firms only.

Also note that if you're looking for rankings of top law firms generally this list is a little different as it's only ranking a particular department.

www.chambersandpartners.com/uk/ provides a detailed overview of the IT specialisations of law firms, which can be found here

For more generalised information on law firms look further around these sites.

I also find www.rollonfriday.com quite useful for information about firms, particularly their salaries - see the 'inside info' section. There's also a very active discussion forum for lawyers on there.

Without doubt there's a tonne of other sources out there but those are a few that I find to be of particular use.

Now, I'll let someone else that second question of yours! :wink:

Reply 2

Agro

Thanks very much for that, more than I expected! :smile:

I have 26 UCAS points, so I take it that my academics are in order for most firms (some need AAB though I think), just a case of getting some work experience. Do you think it may be possible to do some worthwhile, unpaid work experience this summer since I have probably left it too late to apply for summer placements (and I'm under the impression these are probably only open to current undergraduates anyway)?

Reply 3

muncrun

Hehe, I'm feeling in one of my more helpful moods! :smile:

You've certainly left it too late for any kind of formal work placement (ie. a vacation scheme) [edit - this Summer]. However, you may be fortunate enough to blag them to allow you to shadow a partner for a day or two - unpaid, of course.

You shouldn't have to wait too long to apply for the next intake which takes place at Christmas. The application process normally begins in the early Autumn. However, placements at the top firms are extremely competitive (there's a thread on here somewhere with the statistics - slightly disheartening!). Failing this, work experience in any large 'city' business whether law related or not is valuable. Don't be afraid of using personal contacts.

Regarding your grades. 26 points is good, as is your degree. However, these alone are not enough to convince an employer immediately that you're the one for them. Law firms will also look at the grades of all your modules throughout your entire degree. If you spent your first year just drinking and looking at 40% as the magic number, you're probably going to pay for it now. They also disdinguish between a high and a low 2:1.

But it's not all about academics. If you want a chance of getting an interview it's imperative that you have other things on your CV to make it stand out etc. You know the deal, but law is so bloody competitive that it really is crucial. I'm not talking about academic achievements either. Sports, societies, positions of responsibility, work experience, a gap year even.

If you're applying to any of the top law firms mentioned above you'll be competing with those that have impeccable academics and to succeed you'll have to offer something different. Cliché, I know, but it's important. However, if you get to interview stage you are, at least in theory, good enough on paper. It is all then down to the impression you make in person. I believe the famous test they use is the 'aeroplane test' - would they feel comfortable leaving you on a long-haul flight sitting next to their most important client?

Anyway, I've gone off on a tangent - I hope it helps, nonetheless. I'll finish writing and get back to whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing!

Good luck.

Reply 4

Vitriol

I'm not sure if firms do distinguish between a high and low 2:1 - how would it be possible for them to calculate your overall degree without knowing individual module weightings? I got a low(ish) 2:1 and 3/4 of my modules were at 2:1 grade or above. I still managed to get quite a few interviews, thankfully, over half of which were at MC and US firms.

I think it's more likely to be a case of showing consistent 2:1 performance.

IT/IPR Law

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