To do or not to do the fe1s, I badly need advice

BroadwayStar

I did the postgrad diploma in DIT this year and I'm following the Griffith FE-1 prep course in four subjects from home at the moment. Due to this recession I have been advised to stay in college as long as possible because I will find it very difficult to get a training contract, and so because of this I have decided to do the masters in common law at UCD, a new two-year law degree for non-law graduates. I tried my best to study over the summer but I know I did not do enough (probably 3 hours a day since the start of july) and found it very difficult to motivate myself, so now I feel like I don't have a hope in hell of passing. Also because my course is two years I don't want to be a recluse for the first month and a half in the fear that I won't get to know anybody and hate it there for two years (I graduated from UCC). I don't know what to do, if I should go ahead with the exams or wait until I'm settled in UCD. When I think about it, it's kind of crazy sitting professional exams before I get a basic law degree! I guess just hearing everybody at least 2 years older than me from DIT in such a rush to get these exams done. I'm almost 22 so I suppose I have plenty of time. I just feel like a failure for not doing them seeing as it was my goal to get them done in october, but at this stage I don't feel confident and whats the point in sitting them to fail them and missing out on my first weeks in college.... Any advice really appreciated.

_ZeeK_

are you doing them because you want to be a solicitor? sounds like you're being pressured into them by attitudes of peers and the perception of needing to be doing something...

law is extremely competitive and there are thousands of people out there that have more relevant legal education. in the current climate, i wouldn't consider sitting an FE-1 unless I had a traineeship lined up. true, having the FE-1s passed might help in the search for a TC (not much though, tbh) but it doesn't sound like you're altogether prepared to pass them. if it takes you a few sittings to do this, you could find yourself a year to a year and a half trying to pass them and then another 1/2/3/god knows how many years trying to find an apprenticeship. the legal employment market is very precarious at the moment and is likely to stay that way for quite a while.

assess if its what you really want to do. you don't sound too committed to it.

BroadwayStar

I know I want to be a solicitor. My mom is now retired but she worked in a firm where I live and It has been in my head since third year in school. If anything she told me to avoid the profession and so I did a broad commerce degree in UCC but afterwards i still wanted to do it. I was in a rush though I will admit that. Thats why I foolishly chose DIT when I know I should have done the LLB in Limerick and why I was in such a hurry to get the FE-1s done. I wouldn't pay the amount I am paying to go to UCD if I wasn't sure that I wanted to do it. I get what you're saying though, a part of me definitely wants to prove something to myself but I just can't put my finger on it! I just feel like such a failure for deciding not to go ahead with them because it was a personal goal I had, but I know I'm not prepared. Now listening to myself I think I need the two years to mature to be honest!

I think I was pressured into them because everybody on the DIT course was in such a hurry. A lot of people were in their mid twenties and wanting to get on with their lives so I suppose their enthusiasm and sense of immediacy rubbed off on me. Also, many of the people in that course may not have had the points for law and seemed to believe a law degree was worth nothing seeing as all you have to do to get a TC is pass the fe1s. If anything they believed being more diverse was in their favour. I saw through this and felt everybody was trying to prove something, not to themselves but to other people. Just an observation amongst my group of friends, not to insult anybody who may have gone this route!

legal eagle 1

Hold off on doing them OP, there's no need to rush or add extra stress on yourself. Go enjoy college and make the most out of these two years, build your cv up in other areas, try and achieve the best possible result you can. My advice would be to try and acquire a training contract first and than do the FE1's in your final year that way if you had a contract secured you could start in Blackhall the following September.

I saw through this and felt everybody was trying to prove something, not to themselves but to other people. Just an observation amongst my group of friends, not to insult anybody who may have gone this route!

Interesting observation, I guess my reason for doing them was because i honestly believed it would help me achieve a training contract, plus I thought the best time to do them for me was when i was still motivated and in study mode after college. That said in hindsight, I realise i've been very silly and naive and if i could turn back time, I would have done a lot of things differently!

Go do your masters, focus on your college course first and if your comfortable and confident even half way through your course than seek to do the FE1's.
Lots of luck

Johnny Utah

BroadwayStar wrote: »

Also, many of the people in that course may not have had the points for law and seemed to believe a law degree was worth nothing seeing as all you have to do to get a TC is pass the fe1s. If anything they believed being more diverse was in their favour. I saw through this and felt everybody was trying to prove something, not to themselves but to other people. Just an observation amongst my group of friends, not to insult anybody who may have gone this route!

I'd actually agree with them. I have a good law degree and I'd say it's meaningless when it comes to finding an apprenticeship. The key to getting a training contract is contacts and connections- seeing as your mother is a retired solicitor, you're already in a better position than most.

dats_right

Johnny Utah wrote: »

I have a good law degree and I'd say it's meaningless when it comes to finding an apprenticeship. The key to getting a training contract is contacts and connections- seeing as your mother is a retired solicitor, you're already in a better position than most.

It seems that you have very bad personal experiences, which are evidenced by this comment and other recent comments you have made on the McCann Fitz thread. There is no doubting whatsoever that securing a traineeship is a competive and difficlut process, but I can hand on heart say I know very few colleagues who secured traineeships as a result of connections. I can honestly say that the vast, vast majority (myself included) secured training contracts on merit.

I know people who, for whatever reason, are finding it diffiult to secure a traineeship find that difficult to accept. And I suppose to a certain extent, I can see why it is easier for them to blame connections and other external factors rather than looking at themselves in the mirror objectively and seeing why firms aren't interested in them. Law firms aren't charities and ultimately exist in order to earn profit, so they usually seek out the best and most suitable candidates available. This doesn't necessarily mean a 1st in your degree, especially if the firm cannot see you fitting in with your colleagues or being able to interact with clients effectively.

I guess what I am saying is that for people with the requisite skills and who firms can foresee as being effective solicitors, these people will undoubtedly get a traineeship. It might take a while, especially now as we are in a deep and prolonged recession, but they will get one and they will get there. I am not criticising those who haven't yet been succesful, but perhaps they would be better served addressing the reasons why firms don't view them as an attractive proposition rather than, erroneously, blaming the reasons of their own shortcomings on connections within the legal profession. Nor am I for that matter saying that there isn't some element of what Johnny Utah complains occuring, for sure, it won't hurt that your father is a solicitor if you want to be one; but that is just a fact of life and it is prevalent in virtually all other occupations, professions and business in Ireland. And it most certainly is not a barrier to entry to the legal profession for the rest of us who don't have any connections; in fact the legal is probably the most open profession of them all in which to qualify into.

Dante09

If its a personal goal and if I were you, I'd work my ass off for the next 5 weeks and have a go. Even if you focus on passing 3. But that's just me.

enry

dats_right wrote: »

It seems that you have very bad personal experiences, which are evidenced by this comment and other recent comments you have made on the McCann Fitz thread. There is no doubting whatsoever that securing a traineeship is a competive and difficlut process, but I can hand on heart say I know very few colleagues who secured traineeships as a result of connections. I can honestly say that the vast, vast majority (myself included) secured training contracts on merit.

I know people who, for whatever reason, are finding it diffiult to secure a traineeship find that difficult to accept. And I suppose to a certain extent, I can see why it is easier for them to blame connections and other external factors rather than looking at themselves in the mirror objectively and seeing why firms aren't interested in them. Law firms aren't charities and ultimately exist in order to earn profit, so they usually seek out the best and most suitable candidates available. This doesn't necessarily mean a 1st in your degree, especially if the firm cannot see you fitting in with your colleagues or being able to interact with clients effectively.

I guess what I am saying is that for people with the requisite skills and who firms can foresee as being effective solicitors, these people will undoubtedly get a traineeship. It might take a while, especially now as we are in a deep and prolonged recession, but they will get one and they will get there. I am not criticising those who haven't yet been succesful, but perhaps they would be better served addressing the reasons why firms don't view them as an attractive proposition rather than, erroneously, blaming the reasons of their own shortcomings on connections within the legal profession. Nor am I for that matter saying that there isn't some element of what Johnny Utah complains occuring, for sure, it won't hurt that your father is a solicitor if you want to be one; but that is just a fact of life and it is prevalent in virtually all other occupations, professions and business in Ireland. And it most certainly is not a barrier to entry to the legal profession for the rest of us who don't have any connections; in fact the legal is probably the most open profession of them all in which to qualify into.

I have to disagree with the above comments.

Connections are vital in securing a training contract at present. I’ll accept that it was probably the case that a person attempting to secure a training contract prior to the economic downturn could do so simply on their own merits, however, the situation has changed especially considering the fact that the number of people beginning the PPC -1 this yr will probably be less then 350 Compared to the 671 people who started in 2007. it was always difficulty to get an apprenticeship however if you compare this years number to those being admitted in 2007 you could say its now at least twice as difficult as it was two years ago.

I recently got a contract signed in Dublin I had been looking for almost a year. However how I obtained a contract maybe of interest to those currently looking so I will share the process.

Connections are vital but my family had no connections to the legal profession nor did I. That was of course until I set out about getting a contract signed.

I sent out around 200 C.V.s in a peace meal type fashion (thirty then when I got responses another thirty) and waited to receive the usual PFOs. I go about a thirty percent response rate all of which were PFO letters. I have been informed by friends that this was a good response rate. I would like to say at this point that targeting certain firms with cover letter specifically tailored to what you believe they are looking for is not a good idea, as to my mind unless you really get it right your letter may alienate the potential employer.( as how you describe their firm may be accurate but not in line with the way they see themselves)Obviously address your C.V to a specific person in the firm usually the principle and marking the letter private and confidential is essential .

(Get a copy of the Law Directory this will give you a list of all the law firms in the country and their principles etc. This is useful not simply for getting the names and address of firms but also it gives a list of the individuals and their education details the advantage of this is that if you are going in to talk to a solicitor you sent a letter to and you know the year they qualified it can help you in the approach you might take i.e. older solicitor might like to be addressed as MR /Ms. The law directory is expensive however if you drop in to the law society and ask them do they have a spare copy of an older directory for example a 2008 directory they would prob give it to you for free.)

So there I was with my PFOS and I waited a month or so and then I phoned the firms which had sent me a response I’d try and get directly on to the principle . The following is how the conversation would go:

Hello can I talk to Mr Murphy

Of course, can I say whose calling?

Tell Him it’s Tom O’Neill,

( Sometime the sec would put me straight through to the principle)

Will he know what its in relation to

I‘d expect that he would or he should do
(If that did not get me through to the sol. And the sec pushed me on why i was ringing i’d explain that I had sent in a C.v and that he was good enough to respond to me and I was just looking for a quick word)

The sec would say I’ll just see if he can take you call. One Min.

Ok

I’m very sorry he’s with someone at the min can I get him to call you back.

Yes please.

Of course only the odd time one would ring me or id get through to them directly. On these odd occasions id apologise for disturbing them explain that I had received a letter from them in response to mine and that I really appreciated that they had responded to me and taken my call. They would say that they were not looking for anyone at the present and I’d say I understand and explain that I would really appreciate a moment of their time if I could drop in and just get some advice. Some would say yes if they did then I had an opening

When I got into their office I would ask them what they thought of my c.v could I make any changes (Obviously hand them a copy). I ask them would they know of any solicitors that might be looking for someone. I’d explain that I simply wanted to gain experience in a solicitors office that this is all I every wanted to do and that I would be delight to get a few months experience life a forth year school kid. That I feel this would really stand to me when looking for an apprenticeship. I’d explain that I had resigned myself to the fact I was not going to get a training contract this year but that experience like that would really help me in obtaining one in the future .

this approach worked and a few solicitors brought me in and I worked for three of them over a number of months the whole time apply for apprenticeship and talk to other solicitors, id go down to the district crt where id meet sol I had called into already telling what I was doing and getting myself better known to them. None of the guys I worked for gave me a contract but when a solicitor I had met through one of them asked was him was I a good worker and he said yes. I followed up with him when I heard and asked him to sign a contract with me and he did.

It takes time, however if you keep softly pushing these guys and rubbing shoulders with them it will work out.

O I might add I also walked the streets with C.V. anytime I got a chance while getting work experience and asking solicitors to sign me up and then meeting these guys again from dropping stuff into their firms. The more people you meet working in this job the better.

I hope this is of help or gives ideas to someone looking for a contract.

Dante09

Fair play to you. Im delighted that somebody with your determination has succeeded because it means that others as determined as yourself will, in time, also succeed.
Just one thing though, your post in no way backs up your initial statement that one needs contacts to get into the profession. In fact, it counter-argues that notion.
Congrats again-you've fully earned what you have.

BroadwayStar

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

Hold off on doing them OP, there's no need to rush or add extra stress on yourself. Go enjoy college and make the most out of these two years, build your cv up in other areas, try and achieve the best possible result you can. My advice would be to try and acquire a training contract first and than do the FE1's in your final year that way if you had a contract secured you could start in Blackhall the following September.


Go do your masters, focus on your college course first and if your comfortable and confident even half way through your course than seek to do the FE1's.
Lots of luck

Thanks for this, I really needed to hear it. I think I have made my decision so although I feel kind of guilty about it, I think it's the right decision to make for me right now.

enry

Dante09 wrote: »

Fair play to you. Im delighted that somebody with your determination has succeeded because it means that others as determined as yourself will, in time, also succeed.
Just one thing though, your post in no way backs up your initial statement that one needs contacts to get into the profession. In fact, it counter-argues that notion.
Congrats again-you've fully earned what you have.

Thanks Dante

I suppose what i'm trying to say is that if you dont have contacts i.e. none of family or close friends are solicitors. then you have to make contacts yourself its as simple as that. the only exception to this at present is where you apply to one of the larger firms and they sign a contract with you.

legal eagle 1

BroadwayStar wrote: »

Thanks for this, I really needed to hear it. I think I have made my decision so although I feel kind of guilty about it, I think it's the right decision to make for me right now.

Listen do whats right for you and what makes you feel at ease. Don't be feeling guilty, if your gut feeling is telling you its the right decision....trust it Your only young......you have a lot of years in you yet!!


P.S Enry well done, glad to see someone like you succeeding, wish i was having half the success you've been having with the legal world, long may it continue for you

Johnny Utah

dats_right wrote: »

It seems that you have very bad personal experiences, which are evidenced by this comment and other recent comments you have made on the McCann Fitz thread. There is no doubting whatsoever that securing a traineeship is a competive and difficlut process, but I can hand on heart say I know very few colleagues who secured traineeships as a result of connections. I can honestly say that the vast, vast majority (myself included) secured training contracts on merit.

I know people who, for whatever reason, are finding it diffiult to secure a traineeship find that difficult to accept. And I suppose to a certain extent, I can see why it is easier for them to blame connections and other external factors rather than looking at themselves in the mirror objectively and seeing why firms aren't interested in them. Law firms aren't charities and ultimately exist in order to earn profit, so they usually seek out the best and most suitable candidates available. This doesn't necessarily mean a 1st in your degree, especially if the firm cannot see you fitting in with your colleagues or being able to interact with clients effectively.

I guess what I am saying is that for people with the requisite skills and who firms can foresee as being effective solicitors, these people will undoubtedly get a traineeship. It might take a while, especially now as we are in a deep and prolonged recession, but they will get one and they will get there. I am not criticising those who haven't yet been succesful, but perhaps they would be better served addressing the reasons why firms don't view them as an attractive proposition rather than, erroneously, blaming the reasons of their own shortcomings on connections within the legal profession. Nor am I for that matter saying that there isn't some element of what Johnny Utah complains occuring, for sure, it won't hurt that your father is a solicitor if you want to be one; but that is just a fact of life and it is prevalent in virtually all other occupations, professions and business in Ireland. And it most certainly is not a barrier to entry to the legal profession for the rest of us who don't have any connections; in fact the legal is probably the most open profession of them all in which to qualify into.

I think things are quite different now. 3/4 years ago, I probably would have secured a training contract with the Law Society recommended pay, but not in the present climate. Believe me, I've tried my best, but there's virtually nothing out there at the moment- the numbers on this year's PPC will prove it. I've offered to undertake the TC without pay, offered to pay for the TC, but solicitors simply aren't interested.

I stand over my previous comment because I've seen it first hand, both big and small firms. I think you might have misinterpreted my previous post; I wasn't being malicious or spiteful towards the OP, it was actually genuine advice. It's a huge advantage to have contacts in the legal world when you're looking for a training contract.




Btw, well done enry.

hada

Absolutely inspirational stuff enry - kind of reminded me of Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness!!

Johnny, I really have to feel for you. Have been a member of these boards for some years now, and it must be very very disheartening situation for you. I know you've mentioned it before, but what's your background (educationally speaking)? Did you do a BA LLB, BCL? If so what college?

I know it may only add fuel to the fire, but I do think nowadays the NUI Galway's, UL's and even UCC's are lagging more and more behind the UCDs and TCD's of this world in recruitment terms (not that it always hasn't been the way, it's just my gut feeling it's gotten worse with the current economic situation)

Oh and one word of advice Johnny, have you considered volunteering/interning/working as a legal researcher? There are plenty of opportunities still out there, even if you were to volunteer at one of these places, they can be quite generous with expenses etc. It's a great way to add experience to your CV, develop transferable skills and also make connections.

enry

hada wrote: »

Absolutely inspirational stuff enry - kind of reminded me of Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness!!

Johnny, I really have to feel for you. Have been a member of these boards for some years now, and it must be very very disheartening situation for you. I know you've mentioned it before, but what's your background (educationally speaking)? Did you do a BA LLB, BCL? If so what college?

I know it may only add fuel to the fire, but I do think nowadays the NUI Galway's, UL's and even UCC's are lagging more and more behind the UCDs and TCD's of this world in recruitment terms (not that it always hasn't been the way, it's just my gut feeling it's gotten worse with the current economic situation)

Oh and one word of advice Johnny, have you considered volunteering/interning/working as a legal researcher? There are plenty of opportunities still out there, even if you were to volunteer at one of these places, they can be quite generous with expenses etc. It's a great way to add experience to your CV, develop transferable skills and also make connections.

Thanks hada your right my story would have been pretty much the same as that of Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness except for the fact that I’m not black, I have not got a kid, nor am I residing in the US and I’m trying to become a solicitor not a trader otherwise our stories are the same.

I wrote the above not to be told well done but simply to give people ideas on how they might go about getting an apprenticeship.

hada as a qualified person your advice above is well received anyone who has been through the process of getting a contract and qualifying as you obviously have, has gained some very valuable experience. Experience I think you should share as it could be of great help to people currently looking for a training contract.

I think your advice on expanding your c.v was really good, especially for those that have only gotten a degree so for. Please give us more advice and tell us what your level of education and experience was before you got your contract signed

hada

enry wrote: »

Thanks hada your right my story would have been pretty much the same as that of Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness except for the fact that I’m not black, I have not got a kid, nor am I residing in the US and I’m trying to become a solicitor not a trader otherwise our stories are the same.

I wrote the above not to be told well done but simply to give people ideas on how they might go about getting an apprenticeship.

hada as a qualified person your advice above is well received anyone who has been through the process of getting a contract and qualifying as you obviously have, has gained some very valuable experience. Experience I think you should share as it could be of great help to people currently looking for a training contract.

I think your advice on expanding your c.v was really good, especially for those that have only gotten a degree so for. Please give us more advice and tell us what your level of education and experience was before you got your contract signed

Unfortunately enry, I have not completed my training contract. In fact I don't actually have one - I'm not currently looking for one. This is more down to the approach I've taken to the solicitor route - I've a BCL, all 8 FE-1s, spent some time as a legal researcher, a summer internship at a large commerical law firm, and am about to start an LLM at Oxbridge next year. So basically, I'm in no rush to secure a traineeship - there are other opportunities available for law graduates. The latter point is something I would stress to people who find themselves like Johnny (sorry to use you as the example mate!). Sometimes people become so focused on one thing, they forget to look at other opportunities that this tunnel vision blocks out.

Look at doing a Stage in Brussels, volunteer work with a FLAC, hell, even look to england (innocence project.org). If you have some sort of income, start writing up an article and try and get it published. This will at least add some CV value especially if you decide to pursue a masters/PhD.

One thing people tend to advise is go and do a Masters/stay in education. Be warned, (not trying to be a hypocrite here) but there is no point, absolutely no point in doing an LLM for the sake of it - they're 10 a penny nowadays.

I know so many people that have gone to certain institutions in Dublin/etc in the effort to add a commercial side to their degrees, get a brand like quality LLM or something like that. A few years ago I would think this would have made a difference re securing training contracts (as it did for people I know), but not now that everyone is doing it as the "quick fix solution".


If you feel you really have to go for the masters option, it's my advise that you look abroad. The UK would be a good start, and despite scholarship/funding at most of the unis there being not great for Irish students, oftentimes the cost of doing one there is pretty much the same as doing one in Dublin for example.

That's my two cents anyway - please don't take it as gospel.

enry

hada wrote: »

Unfortunately enry, I have not completed my training contract. In fact I don't actually have one - I'm not currently looking for one. This is more down to the approach I've taken to the solicitor route - I've a BCL, all 8 FE-1s, spent some time as a legal researcher, a summer internship at a large commerical law firm, and am about to start an LLM at Oxbridge next year. So basically, I'm in no rush to secure a traineeship - there are other opportunities available for law graduates. The latter point is something I would stress to people who find themselves like Johnny (sorry to use you as the example mate!). Sometimes people become so focused on one thing, they forget to look at other opportunities that this tunnel vision blocks out.

Look at doing a Stage in Brussels, volunteer work with a FLAC, hell, even look to england (innocence project.org). If you have some sort of income, start writing up an article and try and get it published. This will at least add some CV value especially if you decide to pursue a masters/PhD.

One thing people tend to advise is go and do a Masters/stay in education. Be warned, (not trying to be a hypocrite here) but there is no point, absolutely no point in doing an LLM for the sake of it - they're 10 a penny nowadays.

I know so many people that have gone to certain institutions in Dublin/etc in the effort to add a commercial side to their degrees, get a brand like quality LLM or something like that. A few years ago I would think this would have made a difference re securing training contracts (as it did for people I know), but not now that everyone is doing it as the "quick fix solution".


If you feel you really have to go for the masters option, it's my advise that you look abroad. The UK would be a good start, and despite scholarship/funding at most of the unis there being not great for Irish students, oftentimes the cost of doing one there is pretty much the same as doing one in Dublin for example.

That's my two cents anyway - please don't take it as gospel.

Hada that was a real nice story, well done reminds me of a young Russell Crowe in “A Beautiful Mind”.
I’m all on for education in fact the more education the better. However I have said it before and ill say it again I don’t see a huge advantage in having an LLM actually I don’t even think a primary law degree is the best root for a person looking to qualify as a solicitor.
I would say this however, the fact that you plan on continuing your studies abroad albeit in England is a good thing. It will stand to you as it’s a change of environment and a chance for you to met different people whom you will obviously share a mutual interest and I wish you the best with it.

dats_right

enry wrote: »

I’m all on for education in fact the more education the better. However I have said it before and ill say it again I don’t see a huge advantage in having an LLM

I would in normal circumstances agree 100% with that, but Hada will be pursuing an oxbridge LLM i.e. from one of the truly great universities of the world, so it's not like just getting a TCD or UCD LLM. Meaning that with Oxbridge credentials Hada should have little difficulty securing a traineeship in top five firm in Dublin, but If I had oxbridge I'd definitely be aiming a bit higher than that and trying to get into a magic or even silver circle firm in London.

Well done Hada and bets of luck with your studies.

hada

dats_right wrote: »

I would in normal circumstances agree 100% with that, but Hada will be pursuing an oxbridge LLM i.e. from one of the truly great universities of the world, so it's not like just getting a TCD or UCD LLM. Meaning that with Oxbridge credentials Hada should have little difficulty securing a traineeship in top five firm in Dublin, but If I had oxbridge I'd definitely be aiming a bit higher than that and trying to get into a magic or even silver circle firm in London.

Well done Hada and bets of luck with your studies.

dats_right and enry, thank you very much for the well wishes.

I suppose what I'm trying to say to the OP and those in similar situations - a law degree entitles you to nothing but allows for an awful lot, pending the serious ground work has been put in, as enry has shown.

Johnny Utah

hada wrote: »

Absolutely inspirational stuff enry - kind of reminded me of Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness!!

Johnny, I really have to feel for you. Have been a member of these boards for some years now, and it must be very very disheartening situation for you. I know you've mentioned it before, but what's your background (educationally speaking)? Did you do a BA LLB, BCL? If so what college?

I know it may only add fuel to the fire, but I do think nowadays the NUI Galway's, UL's and even UCC's are lagging more and more behind the UCDs and TCD's of this world in recruitment terms (not that it always hasn't been the way, it's just my gut feeling it's gotten worse with the current economic situation)

Oh and one word of advice Johnny, have you considered volunteering/interning/working as a legal researcher? There are plenty of opportunities still out there, even if you were to volunteer at one of these places, they can be quite generous with expenses etc. It's a great way to add experience to your CV, develop transferable skills and also make connections.

I'd prefer not to state any specifics about my background on a public forum like this.

Over the past two years, I have applied for those sort of positions you listed, but it's proving very difficult to secure anything in the legal profession at present. Where can I volunteer? I considered volunteering for FLAC, but I thought you had to be fully qualified to join them?

nuac

While I realise the difficulty in getting training contracts, as a practising solicitor I would not welcome Enry's approach.

Marking job applications to a firm as "Private and Confidential" is an annoyance to whoever is opening the day's post. There is nothing private and confidential about a request for a training contract - they are coming in in shoals. A busy principal might be inclined, on finding the supposed "private and confindential" missive was just another CV, to consign it to the WPB

Personally I try to acknowledge most of the CV's we get. Enry uses this acknowledgement to suggest to whoever is taking his/her follow-up call that (s)he should be put through to the principal on the basis of some correspondence between them. That is taking advantage of the courtesy of an acknowledgement.

That is somewhat like people who get through on the phone because it is "personal" and then it turns out they are trying to sell something.

I have met and spoken to many aspirants over the years about legal careers, but would not like to be hustled into doing so by Enry's methods..

I am indeed sorry for all those who have started or spent years at law and now find that there is no room in the profession. Any practising solicitor could have explained the problems. The huge growth in numbers was unsustainable even at the height of the property boom. I think many people and their advisers and parents etc got a very rosy view of law as a profession. That may have been caused by the excessive amounts paid to tribunal lawyers. Law was never easy and is doubly difficult now.

The established law faculties in the Universities and the new institutions which started law courses should before accepting their money have told everybody who wanted to be a solicitor that they would need an apprenticeship/training contract.

legal eagle 1

Over the past two years, I have applied for those sort of positions you listed, but it's proving very difficult to secure anything in the legal profession at present. Where can I volunteer? I considered volunteering for FLAC, but I thought you had to be fully qualified to join them?

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Yes, I agree, any position within the legal profession is extremely difficult to obtain these days.....even free work experience with a solicitor. There is huge competition out there for every placement, every internship, every volunteer programme. I looked into volunteering with FLAC earlier on in the year and yes you have to be fully qualified! I think the only way really of getting a legal internship etc these days is to go down the route of a paid international one through orgainsations like projectsabroad.co.uk.........but these are not cheap!!

bear17

Although the initial question re the FE-1s seems to have been appropriately answered at this stage, I can't resist adding my two cents, as I have been faced with the same dilemma.
Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that, at present, doing the FE-1s now is a fruitless exercise without a prospect of a training contract.
Also, speaking as a recent law graduate, too many of my peers are embarking down this road in blind hope, merely because their peers are doing so, which further saturates the system, and will ensure this message board will be full for some time to come unfortunately!
As such, legal eagle’s advice seems the much better course of action, imo.