Becoming a Barrister!

rgnky

Hi All,

I am aware that this topic has been discussed to death here, however I have a few more questions to ask! Firstly, I am very aware of the downside to becoming a barrister and also to achieve as a barrister, believe me I have thought about it over and over for the last year, but kept coming back to the same decision.

I have over 4 years experience working in the legal sector, a year in a solicitors office as a legal secretary and over 3 years working with the courts service. I hold a BA honours degree in law. I also have 10 years experience working as a IT Trainer. I hope to attend Kings Inns in Sept for the 2 year Diploma Course and then on to the BL degree.

My difficulty is that at present I am unemployed and finding it hard to gain employment in the legal sector. I would love to gain work experience as well as earn a little income by working with for a barrister typing up legal documents. Do you have to be a devil for this work? Would barristers be interested in this kind of work?

Also I am a very mature student as I am 40 years old.. I may be crazy but I think that shouldnt be an obstacle to stand in your way. I would love to get advice from anyone who was in a similar situation or just any advice in general.

Thanks.

dermot_sheehan

I hope you realise you won't be earning an income for at least 5 years (if at all) after joining the law library. Also we're not eligible for JSB/JSA because we're not unemployed (just self employed rather unsuccessfully)

I know some seniors employ researchers but finding work in the legal sector at the moment is extremely tough with many newly qualified solicitors on the market.

dats_right

rgnky wrote: »

My difficulty is that at present I am unemployed and finding it hard to gain employment in the legal sector. I would love to gain work experience as well as earn a little income by working with for a barrister typing up legal documents. Do you have to be a devil for this work? Would barristers be interested in this kind of work?
.

OP, usually my advice to people considering a career in law is think very long and hard and give very careful consideration to the realities of the situation. Nevertheless, with your experience, in my view, at least you are giving yourself a sporting chance of succeeding down at the Law Library. And as Gabhain has said it is a very long process, but you seem to be well aware of the realities of the situation; and, anyway, the BL qualification could lead you into many other rewarding legal areas too. Funnily enough, I believe this is a first on this forum for me to be saying this: But I would say go for it!

In respect of your specific query, yes barristers, or at least the busy ones, do have requirements for part-time secretarial type work. I know I have very often seen such advertisements on the notice board in the Four Courts, near the Law Society entrance at the Judge's Car Park and at other such notice boards around the building. I'm sure some of the barristers on this forum might be able to offer some other tips or suggestions on how best to approach it, but I would definitely suggest that you consider putting your own notice on these various notice boards around the Four Courts. You never know what might come of it.

Jo King

There are barristers (very few) who employ a number of staff, such as secretaries and researchers. The researchers are usually law graduates. Some barristers employ a full time secretary. Some barristers share secretaries, with one secretary working for two or more barristers. Other barristers get typing done on a casual basis, paying by the tape, or by the page for typing. As pointed out above, there are numerous ads on notice boards around the Four Courts offering secretarial services. The best way to get work in this field is try to get to know some of the secretaries personally. They are often asked to source a secretary for a barrister.

jimmylawman

rgnky wrote: »

I have over 4 years experience working in the legal sector, a year in a solicitors office as a legal secretary and over 3 years working with the courts service. I hold a BA honours degree in law. I also have 10 years experience working as a IT Trainer. I hope to attend Kings Inns in Sept for the 2 year Diploma Course and then on to the BL degree.

HI there rgnky, we could be classmates as I am also thinking of heading down the Kings Inns this September to start the same process. In my case I have primary and masters degrees but not in law (science related) so I will be doing the Dip first, but in your case with a law degree why are you doing the dip instead of going straight to BL?

I've heard all the reasons against, but tbh every sector is saying the same thing at the moment. If you read the jobs outlook in any industry you'd never look for work in any field again. If you have the interest and feel you can make a go of it why not go for it is my view.

I also have been working in IT for the last several years so we've a lot in common. I am aware of the low professional incomes for the first number of years in practice. In my case I would hope to supplment it with the odd spot of IT consulting or lecturing in between briefs. I am quite happy to phase one career out and a new career in by doing a bit of both until the time comes I can embrace the new one exclusively. That's the theory anyway. Perhaps some the more experience hands on here can advise whether any procedural difficulties with that approach?

rgnky

Thanks guys are all the advice! Im so delighted that all of you have a reasonable positive outlook to my career choice. Thanks so much dats_right for your advice regarding the notice board in the Law Library, I am definitely going to do that sooner than later!

I am as I said very much aware of the road ahead, but I agree with what jimmylawman has said in that the outlook in any job at present is very bleak but that doesnt mean that we just dont take the risk.

Regarding your question, jimmylawman why I am doing the Diploma with a law degree, believe me it is along story but the short version is the law degree was not approved by Kings Inns, so off I go again!!! You are into IT aswell, I agree that the good thing about that is its there as you say to get you through the difficult times. Do you know that there is an Open Day in Kings Inns on 3rd March, I think. It would be interesting to go up and see the place.

Thanks again guys for all the advice and keep it coming please!!!:):):):)

eurochick

Hi there! I'm in my second year of the modular course at Kings inns...about to sit my exams and found your post in that context...I'm in my twenties but the course is so diverse, in terms of participants' backgrounds and ages and that is definitely to the benefit of everyone! We have people who range from about 25 to 60+ and retired, with everything in between. They come from all walks of life...medicine, the arts, politics, administration, business, engineering, media, trade unions, lobby groups, the Gardai and the army, etc etc etc. People are really making a sacrifice to combine work and study, so the standard is high and they help each other. It is arguably a lot more down to earth, and a lot less flashy than the full-time course where students often come directly from college as they have the financial means to do so. The weekend classes are tough going, and I'm glad I can see the end, but I'd still not regret it for the world! Also, I think a BL is never wasted and gives skills that can help you outside of the legal sphere in the long run if the job situation doesnt pick up! Good luck!

x in the city

check out patent lawyer roles, my ex worked in this for a large multi national.

(she was a bitch but thats another story...:rolleyes:).

lots of firms, look for legal type eagles for all sort of roles.

with the know how jobs like these would be pretty abundant in places like frankfurt and london etc