Thinking about a career change to law

I currently work in real estate executive search and am thinking about doing a law degree to specialise in commercial property law. I am 42. How hard would it be to get on a trainee program after graduating? Does anyone have any advice in this field? Thanks

(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 1

sublime-baths

13

It’s not easy. Law is a very competitive and expensive field to enter into. You’ll want to complete a 3 year law degree (or a conversion course if you’ve got a degree) and then do the SQE. If you’re just wanting to go for any high street real estate practice, your chances are better since the competition is generally lower. But that’ll likely mean you have to self-fund - can you afford to do so? If you’re thinking larger commercial real estate at some of the bigger firms, the competition gets more fierce but they often offer to fund the course.

There’s also the issue that you’re a career changer. While that is not a problem in itself, and I’ve seen a few in my time go through the training process, and it can turn into problem. You’ll likely be trained by lawyers up to 10-20 years younger than you. Are you okay with that? It’s already hard to adjust to the demands of a law firm, and I think it’s even harder for older career changers. The career changers I’ve seen, while having made it through the TC, didn’t actually stick around. It’s something extra to consider - you’ll be starting from scratch at the bottom of the barrel. It doesn’t matter what experiences you have, a trainee is a trainee.

Reply 2

timleebcu

9

Commercial property law could be quite lucrative, but it will take time to get into it - you're unlikely to get into it straight from qualifying.

If you want commercial property - have you considered going down the chartered surveyor commercial property route?

Reply 3

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by sublime-baths

It’s not easy. Law is a very competitive and expensive field to enter into. You’ll want to complete a 3 year law degree (or a conversion course if you’ve got a degree) and then do the SQE. If you’re just wanting to go for any high street real estate practice, your chances are better since the competition is generally lower. But that’ll likely mean you have to self-fund - can you afford to do so? If you’re thinking larger commercial real estate at some of the bigger firms, the competition gets more fierce but they often offer to fund the course.

There’s also the issue that you’re a career changer. While that is not a problem in itself, and I’ve seen a few in my time go through the training process, and it can turn into problem. You’ll likely be trained by lawyers up to 10-20 years younger than you. Are you okay with that? It’s already hard to adjust to the demands of a law firm, and I think it’s even harder for older career changers. The career changers I’ve seen, while having made it through the TC, didn’t actually stick around. It’s something extra to consider - you’ll be starting from scratch at the bottom of the barrel. It doesn’t matter what experiences you have, a trainee is a trainee.

Just out of interest, why do a conversion course then an SQE when you can go straight into the SQE with a degree in any subject?

Reply 4

sublime-baths

13

Original post by MindMax2000

Just out of interest, why do a conversion course then an SQE when you can go straight into the SQE with a degree in any subject?

A lot of firms require the PGDL before SQE so probs best practice to do it.

Reply 5

17Student17

16

Most firms prefer the PGDL or a 3 y ear LLB before the SQE because they want that detailed study of the law so although under SQE you do not need the PDGL/LLB if you want a job you often have to have it.
It might be worth starting by looking at if your current executive search employer has solicitors employed by the company (probably but not it might) or if you have a good client who does. They might be able to move you into a paralegal role under a solicitor, you do the SQE courses/exams part time whilst working and whilst doing 2 y ears of the new QWE in property law.
If you have no degree at all in any subject then you will need usually a degree before you can do the SQE exams., If you have any kind of degree then you really do not need to do a 3 year LLB, just the one year law conversion and then the SQE exams

Reply 6

Kb00

6

Hey!

It is possible to change to law and law firms in fact hire career changers. With your real estate experience, I think you have a very good reason for why you would want to work in this area for a law firm. You have acquired great skills which you could mention why you are interested in commercial law such as client-facing skills, creative problem-solving or negotiation. As you already have experience, probably you could go for a conversion course to become more accustomed to law.

In terms of a law career, you could also consider careers in-house which means that you work for the legal department of a company if you prefer something more akin to the 9-5. With law firms, there are plenty that specialise in real estate and that could appeal to you. I recommend Commercial Law Academy's course on alternative legal careers and the one on law firm profiles where you could find out what firms specialise in real estate.

Reply 7

sublime-baths

13

Original post by Kb00

Hey!

It is possible to change to law and law firms in fact hire career changers. With your real estate experience, I think you have a very good reason for why you would want to work in this area for a law firm. You have acquired great skills which you could mention why you are interested in commercial law such as client-facing skills, creative problem-solving or negotiation. As you already have experience, probably you could go for a conversion course to become more accustomed to law.

In terms of a law career, you could also consider careers in-house which means that you work for the legal department of a company if you prefer something more akin to the 9-5. With law firms, there are plenty that specialise in real estate and that could appeal to you. I recommend Commercial Law Academy's course on alternative legal careers and the one on law firm profiles where you could find out what firms specialise in real estate.

Are you getting paid to advertise commercial law academy? Seeing a lot of these ‘recommendations’ to sign up to their courses lately.

Thinking about a career change to law

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