Query - Legal experience

2 waterbottles on my desk

Hello,

I am unsure if this type of post is allowed on this forum and if it is not I apologise in advance to the moderators -

I am currently in full time employment (Insurance Industry working 9 -5 ) but want to get into Law. I have sat and passed four of my FE1's and am studying for the rest.

I know that having no legal experience on my cv is hindering me - so I am wondering do the free legal aid board take volunteers? (evenings and weekends)

I have no legal contacts and as such have no one to ask but I figure if I show interest and am prepared to work - volunteering will do my CV good and may assist me building up a network.

Thanking you all in advance for any advise you can offer

Regards

2 waterbottles on my desk

fe1ready

I didn't have any legal experience but I got into a firm because I had actually worked a 9-5 job and had experience with customer service. There's allot to be said about having cop-on and common sense. That apparently showed when I went in for my interview with the partners.

Last year I resisted applying to firms for any kind of position/ work experience because I thought since i had been working in retail it really hindered me and they'd laugh at me, but it was the opposite. I was picked over law grads.

So my advice is put any negativity out of your head. Also, if you email them, tailor your emails to that specific firm. Then call them the next day.

Again, I got into the firm Im with because I showed initiative and kept at it. But I also work for free and then work my paid job at the weekends so its tough but worth it!

You have 4 FE 1's that's a huge plus!!! Good luck.

Arsenal1986

I volunteer in a Free Family Law Advice centre and they are currently looking for volunteers to give ppl family law advice. Dont worry if you dont know that much family law, youll get training and if youve done property law for the FE-1s youll know the answers to many of the most common qs youll be asked. Its every weekday morning though so dont know if thatd suit? (as in you'd volunteer one morning a week).

If it does PM me and ill get you in contact with them.

McCrack

Presumably through whichever insurance co you work for would have contacts with solicitors? Do you work in claims? Does your company have in-house solicitors. I've worked before for an in-house firm in a large ins co and also for a firm that got defence instructions from another large ins. co. so surely they would be avenues you could explore?

I know a few claims handlers that got apprenticeships either in-house or from being in contact with external solicitors whether Plaintiff's solrs or otherwise.

2 waterbottles on my desk

Thanks for the words of encouragement fe1ready - I know that it all depends on the impression you make in your interview but doing a bit of volunteer work won't hurt me either.

2 waterbottles on my desk

Thanks Arsenal1986 I will be in contact with you via pm

2 waterbottles on my desk

Hello McCrack,

Yes I work in claims - have my CIP etc but I work in an Insurance Brokers (moved there from a Loss Adjusting Firm) so its more along the lines of claims management then direct handling (although I get to read a lot of opinion and raise my clients concerns)

So I do not get to appoint solicitors and am only in direct contact when there is an issue which thankfully doesn't arise to often.

Thanks for the words of advice though.
Two Waterbottles on my desk.

McCrack

Ok so surely you can network? Youre actually in a good position insofar as you have claims experience and that certainly is good for your cv.

I mean I've had direct professional experience with two big insurers and both had in-house solicitors (one I worked for directly). Surely you can approach your in-house? They may not have any positions but the Principal and team of solicitors will have many many contacts with outside practices and they might get you a shoe-in that way? You just need to think outside the box (as cliche as that saying is).

Good luck.

2 waterbottles on my desk

Thanks for the advice McCrack and I will endevaour to network and think outside the box - unfortunatley the brokers I work for do not have in house solicitors in Ireland (do in the parent in the UK) - and the majority of insurance in-house solicitors I have spoken with want to do right by their own colleagues which is perfectly understandable.

As per my original post all advice is gratefully received and taken on board.

Two Waterbottles on my desk

bob_lob_law

2 waterbottles on my desk wrote: »

Hello McCrack,

Yes I work in claims - have my CIP etc but I work in an Insurance Brokers (moved there from a Loss Adjusting Firm) so its more along the lines of claims management then direct handling (although I get to read a lot of opinion and raise my clients concerns)

So I do not get to appoint solicitors and am only in direct contact when there is an issue which thankfully doesn't arise to often.

Thanks for the words of advice though.
Two Waterbottles on my desk.

You should apply to this City firm in London: http://www.blg.co.uk/ They specialise in insurance and reinsurance and would look favourably on your industry experience. They run vac schemes for two weeks during the summer with TC assessment in the second week, closing date is probably around the end of Jan - best to apply early if you're interested.