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Life as a solicitor
What does life as a solicitor look like?
What does life look like as a solicitor? If you're looking into this profession as a possible future for yourself you'll be asking yourself that very question. The short answer is... it depends! (We know, that's not the answer that you wanted). The world of a solicitor is vast, offering a multitude of roles to choose from. Whether you're working in-house as a corporate solicitor or at a law firm - be it a high street firm or part of the prestigious magic circle; the area of law you specialise in will significantly shape your experience.
In this section, we explore the diverse experiences of solicitors to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what your future could look like as a solicitor. Dive in to discover the various paths and opportunities within this dynamic legal profession. Learn about different solicitor roles, the day-to-day responsibilities, and the career progression you can expect, but first, let's look at the stats at a glance.
The legal industry at a glance:
In-house vs private practice, what's the difference?
Your experience as a solicitor can vary greatly based on whether you're working in-house or in private practice. If you choose to work in-house, the organisation you work for could be in any industry, at the College we've seen a few interesting ones from in-house solicitors working for record labels on music law, to priests working in canon law. Here are the key differences between working in-house vs at a law firm:
In-house
An in-house solicitor primarily works for a single ‘client’, their employer. Either alone or as part of a larger team or department, they look after all the legal matters and interests that apply to the organisation and their services or products.
Private Practice
Solicitors in private practice work for a specialist law firm or legal services organisation. They offer legal advice, support, and services to a number of different external clients, from individual people to large businesses.
The legal industry is made for anyone and everyone. There are so many different sectors, avenues and opportunities for all kinds of people, it's just about identifying what your passions and strengths are and trying to match them with an area of law.
Finding the right role for you
So you've explored the different roles that there are, including different specialities, in-house or firm experience and more, but do the differences end there? Short answer, no. Everyone values something different, whether it's prestige, wage, work-life balance or EDI approach, every role is different and expects something different. That's why it's incredibly important to thoroughly research firms before applying and understanding what is important to you. Legal Cheek offers a "Firm's Most" list that shares the different law firms known for different aspects aspiring solicitors typically search for, including most female partners, average working hours and more. We recommend checking this list against your requirements.
Wondering whether the solicitor profession is right for you?
To help support you in your decision of whether to become a solicitor and if it's right for you, The College of Legal Practice has put together this in-depth guide on becoming a solicitor.
The Becoming a Solicitor Guide is packed with tips, quotes and resources from qualified solicitors, trainees and L&D professionals in the legal sector.
We delve into questions such as what is a solicitor? What is the difference between working in-house vs at a firm? What areas can you specialise in? How do you become a solicitor and much more. You'll gain tips from various qualified solicitors across different areas of practice who shed some light on their day-to-day work and the profession as a whole.
ACCESS FREE GUIDE
