Trainee Contract

Peist2007

Hi,

Just wondering about finding a list of law firms that are medium sized. I have applied to the big 10 but i am getting rejection letters all the time. Its more frustrating that now i have all 8 FE1s whereas when i applied to these firms i had only 5, thus being a less attractive proposition to them.
Any advice??

Tom Young

Keep trying. Its painful. Also findout when their intake nights are on.

rorybbellows

Peist2007 wrote: »

Hi,

Just wondering about finding a list of law firms that are medium sized. I have applied to the big 10 but i am getting rejection letters all the time. Its more frustrating that now i have all 8 FE1s whereas when i applied to these firms i had only 5, thus being a less attractive proposition to them.
Any advice??

Hi Peist,

It's undoubtedly very frustrating for you, but Tom is right, keep trying. I've heard that there are so many people applying for apprenticeships right now that the firms are inundated with applications. That being said, having the Fe1s behind you will definitely enhance your candidacy so don't get too disheartened. Are you from a law background by the way? Have you any experience in the industry?

Even if not, these things are not determinative in and of themselves. The most important thing to remember is that you must make your candidacy stand out from the hundreds of others that will cross their desks. I would definitely personalise your applications: I've heard that nothing gets binned faster than the generic "dear sir/madam" plus standard cover letter. Also, if you have any contacts at all, don't hesitate to use them. It'll get you an interview, the rest will be up to yourself.

bigbobbya

You would be foolish to give up on the so-called big 10 firms since between them they account for around half of the total trainee contracts awarded every year. The recommendation made above in relation to more personalised applications is an important one. If you don't get an offer this year, I would recommend doing a Masters degree if you don't already have one. There are just too many solid law graduates out there with all their FE1's to be sure of getting a contract without something that sets you apart.

fowler100

It's hard going, I know people who have all eight exams since Oct '06 and still can't get a position.Others are going very far from home in search of an apprenticeship-there is just so many people who want to be a solicitor.

But like anything, if you really want it and are prepared to be patient and persistent you'll get one.

rorybbellows

Bigbobbya is absolutely right; don’t give up on trying to get an apprenticeship with the bigger firms. Don’t forget the reasons why it is so difficult to get an apprenticeship with them: not only do they account for the majority of training contracts; there is also the small matter of their paying your fees, and providing you with a decent wage while you’re training. Sounds attractive? Everybody else thinks so too

In addition, whatever nepotism exists in the Irish legal industry is much less of a factor in these larger firms. This is because their structure, composition and culture is essentially meritocratic and as such is fundamentally incompatible with the “jobs for the boys” mentality. Simply put, these law firms are first and foremost businesses, and good ones at that, and they know that it does not make good business sense to hire inferior candidates with family connections over bright, hungry ones without them. The competition for clients between the larger Irish firms is incredibly fierce, and none of them can afford to carry a multitude of weaker or unsuitable solicitors and trainees simply because they know certain people, or are from a particular background. Therefore, it is not overstating the case to say that you are more likely to get a fair crack of the whip when you send in your application.

Hopefully you’ll manage to get an apprenticeship this year, but if you don’t there are certain things that you can do that will enhance your candidacy for the next round. You already have all your FE1s, which is definitely a big plus. Bigbobbya mentioned that perhaps you should do a Masters if you don’t already have one, and it’s not a bad idea. Perhaps the Commercial Law masters in UCD would be the way to go. However, to be honest, I’m not sure how valuable it would be; a Masters in law is primarily seen as an academic qualification, and I’m not confident that much weight would be given to it. Plus there’s the small matter of the cost.

My advice would be to do a diploma in employment law or the like, or even better, the NY Bar. This is a professional qualification, and the Irish Law firms really seem to like hiring people with it. Plus you have the option of working abroad with it, not just in NY but in London etc. It is quite difficult, but it would be well worth it. You do need to have a recognised Law Degree in order to do it though.

hada

From what I've heard this year, above others, has attracted a somewhat unbelievable amount of trainee applications! I've heard in the region of 1200 for Arthur Cox! With an intake of 30 or so trainees, imagine one's odds of actually securing one of those contracts! Unfortunately, like the op, I too find myself in the same position - although I do have an interview for one of the big five, so fingers crossed... If not, it's back to the drawing board!!

Peist2007

Just an update guys,
Cheers for the advice. I got offered a trainee contract yesterday, not with one of the big 5 but with a pretty reputable medium firm in Dublin. So to anyone reading this: i'm not from a law background and i have a B.Comm and LLB.
The jobs are there, do a good interview and anyone has a chance.

Tom Young

Congratulations! Nice to hear back also. Well done, work hard!

besty

Gongrats Peist. Persistence pays off!

fowler100

Congrats, hope it goes well for you. You'll enjoy Blackhall.

mr.twist

well done peist- you dont mind me asking which firm you got cause i got offered one around the same time as you- simply say no if you dont want to post publicly - congrats again becuse they are very thin on the ground at the moment- me thinks the market is just about saturated now.......

Curiousme11

Hi

I am about to sit some interviews for training contracts in some of the top 10 law firms.

Does anyone know what kind of questions are usually asked? Do they ask many current affairs type questions?

Thanks

nuac

Congrats P2007.

All the best in your career

Bepolite

nuac wrote: »

Congrats P2007.

All the best in your career

He'd probably be able to let you know how that went considering he got the job 5 years ago. :P

hullaballoo

Curiousme11, there is a thread here dealing with law firm applications and interviews.

This thread is five years old so I'm locking it on the basis that leaving it open could cause confusion.