gap year after law degree

I am planning on having a gap year after my law degree and i would like to spend at least half of it on something legal to boost my C.V. Just wondering if anybody has any advice as to whether being a legal assistant is a viable thought and any other general advice? Thanks guys. xx

Reply 1

Posh Portia Kabine

I've read about people working as paralegals after their law degrees. Maybe that might be a good idea?

Reply 2

blah_blah

If you're thinking of getting into the large city firms, you may want to look into something commercial. Apparently corporate firms prefer exposure to banks and other financial institutions rather than law firms. Don't have much information about it, but I've heard it impresses them more than say paralegal work.

Also, spend the other half doing something exciting-travelling and stuff and 'learning about different cultures' :wink:

Reply 3

w 8

I would certainly advise dedicating a sizeable portion of the time to relaxation and the pursuit of recreational aims. Assuming you manage to gain a TC, prospects for such opportunities will be limited in the future (bearing in mind the PQE structure etc.) so see as much of the world as you can now. Three years of a law degree is tough and with the LPC and training contract (followed by decades of thankless work!) to follow, recharging and refocussing is a great idea.

With regard to paralegaling, I believe that most reputable firms tend to prefer LPC grads for these positions (the shortage of TC's leads to plenty of persons willing to take such work). However, if you can find something it may be deemed beneficial (but would probably require a substantial time commitment). The work of legal assistants is often tedious (not saying that the legal work isn't either...), and I would personally be more impressed by evidence of wider worldly experience and initiative than photographic recollection of the standard form contracts you have slaved over photocopying ad infinitum.

Within the commercial legal sphere exposure to financial institutions etc would aid in the portrayal of possessing sound business acumen and I personally found it extremely useful to have a solid understanding of the basic principles of finance and banking prior to beginning my legal career.