Would I have a chance to work at a magic circle law firm ?

Say for example I am not capable of getting into a big London law firm like magic circle straight out of uni due to a poor academic background, would it be a possibility to work in a national or regional firm first and then move up to working in a big london firm?

Reply 1

username1625799

15

Original post by ejz17

Say for example I am not capable of getting into a big London law firm like magic circle straight out of uni due to a poor academic background, would it be a possibility to work in a national or regional firm first and then move up to working in a big london firm?

if you get enough experience it'd probably be a lateral move or a step down, so your salary would probably be lower. As long as you have a 2:1 I reckon you have a good chance of moving into a magic circle firm later on when you have good valuable experience

Reply 2

TheMandalorian

16

You shouldn’t go work for a regional law firm just because you couldn’t make it into a city firm. Regional firms know there are a lot of people who try to do this, which is why one question they always ask you is why you want to work for a regional firm and not a city law firm. If you can’t answer this question then forget about ever getting a job with a regional firm. Do your research first on how regional firms are different.

Your pay would be significantly lower and you won’t be closing million pound deals. The work you do in regional firms is low value compared to the magic circle firms. But if you are really interested in a niche law specialism then regional law firms are quite suitable for that.

Regional law firms is not for everyone. You can always still get a job in a city law firm as a paralegal and work your way up from there. Many city law firms offer their paralegals training contracts and some firms exclusively recruit trainees from their paralegals.

Reply 3

999tigger

19

It depends how bad, what experience, state opf the market, who with. It is possible if you believe the MC is the nirvana of the legal world.

Reply 4

ejz17

OP

5

I would like to work in a city firm in London, it does not have to be a magic city firm but that is something that I aspire to.

Reply 5

ejz17

OP

5

I dont specifically think I have to go to magic circle but I would like to work in a big law firm in London, Im not entirely sure what area of Law I would like to pursue just yet.

Reply 6

jacketpotato

20

If you did qualify into the regional office of a national firm or a good regional firm, it is very possible to move to London later on. Lots of people do this.

But I wouldn't assume that getting a TC at a good regional firm is any easier than getting a TC at a good London firm. The best national and regional firms are still very competitive and you will still need excellent academics.

Reply 7

ejz17

OP

5

Original post by jacketpotato

If you did qualify into the regional office of a national firm or a good regional firm, it is very possible to move to London later on. Lots of people do this.

But I wouldn't assume that getting a TC at a good regional firm is any easier than getting a TC at a good London firm. The best national and regional firms are still very competitive and you will still need excellent academ

The grades i got for gcse are 5s and 4s and my predicted fir my extended diploma is DDM. If i were to get a first or a 2:1 in my Law LLB at uni of reading what level of law firm would be most realistic to go to ?

Reply 8

lilguy100

15

Original post by ejz17

The grades i got for gcse are 5s and 4s and my predicted fir my extended diploma is DDM. If i were to get a first or a 2:1 in my Law LLB at uni of reading what level of law firm would be most realistic to go to

You dont have A-levels and as far as im aware most MC and most silver circle firms require AAB-ABB to even apply, although possible to find some which i think it would be best to not look at such firms for now. im not a lawyer so take what I say with a pinch of salt.