Becoming a Solicitor

Liam.Carroll00

Hi all, I hope this is the right place for this thread, if not, moderator, feel free to move it.

Anyway, I am a second year law student in Griffith College and I am just seeking some advice on becoming a criminal solicitor.

I know what everyone is going to say, "he wants to do criminal law, he hasn't a hope."

However, I haven't simply established an interest in Criminal Law due to the fact that it is a "sexy" subject, for lack of a better word. To be honest, I am genuinley interested in it and I really feel that I have very good people skills to be able to handle a position in the area. I also feel that I could get a 1.1 if I keep my head down for the next two years.

So basically what I want to know is, do I have any chance at all of getting into this area with no family members in the legal professions? If so, what could I do to increase my chances, eg get work experience, do a masters? Any advice would be great. Oh and finaly, if I am living in fairy-land with the notion of becoming a criminal solicitor in this country should I be putting my Australian passport to use and qualifying abroad?

Procrastastudy

Try and go to the many careers events held by GCD or speaking to one of the plethora of criminal barristers there.

In case you've missed them they would be Ciara Fitzgerald and Elaine Finneran - two more approachable people you couldn't hope to meet. Sean O'Quigley - The Law soc has had in on a couple of occasions and is around fairly frequently. I know he went down the bar route but Elaine was instrumental in helping him get a master.

Similar edit made.

Liam.Carroll00

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Being at GCD is just embarrassing when people make posts like this. Admittedly I make my own humdingers fairly frequently.

Have you thought about actually going to the many careers events held by GCD or speaking to one of the plethora of criminal barristers that wander into the classes and give lectures?

Opening post edited, unfair comment removed

Liam.Carroll00

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Being at GCD is just embarrassing when people make posts like this. Admittedly I make my own humdingers fairly frequently.

Have you thought about actually going to the many careers events held by GCD or speaking to one of the plethora of criminal barristers that wander into the classes and give lectures?

In case you've missed them they would be Ciara Fitzgerald and Elaine Finneran - two more approachable people you couldn't hope to meet. Sean O'Quigley - The Law soc has had in on a couple of occasions and is around fairly frequently. I know he went down the bar route but Elaine was instrumental in helping him get a master.

There are a number of other people but I've spoon fed you enough. I wish you wouldn't make statements as to what people think of GCD if you're going to reinforce the stereotype by being lazy.

/rant off - the sense of irony that it's me saying this is not lost on me.

Too true, I was in fact refering to another branch of Griffith College which I am transfering FROM this year TO Griffith Dublin, I should have made this clear earlier. The previous campus I was in (which shall remain anoymous) was not up to the standard that I hope Dublin will be.

Procrastastudy

Liam.Carroll00 wrote: »

I know what everyone is going to say, "he wants to do criminal law, he hasn't a hope."

Why would people say that? You are uniquely placed to make contacts at GCD especially in Criminal Law. Even if you don't have time to apply to the innocence project go to the lectures - speak to the people that show up. Harass David Langwallner - no good reason it's just fun.

GCD gave out three firsts this year and one last year - a 2.1 is nothing to be sniffed at and would stand you in goos stead to do a masters somewhere if you believe the institution would hold you back. To be fair even if you've a first from Trinners you are going to need more on your CV that just your degree in this economic climate.

NoQuarter

You only have college 4 days a week right? So go find a small firm that specialise in criminal law and get in on an ongoing basis on fridays and work for free.

I did that and was offered an apprenticship. Know criminal law and evidence inside out too.

After you have been in the firm a while you can work on your college holidays. Simples.

Liam.Carroll00

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Why would people say that? You are uniquely placed to make contacts at GCD especially in Criminal Law. Even if you don't have time to apply to the innocence project go to the lectures - speak to the people that show up. Harass David Langwallner - no good reason it's just fun.

GCD gave out three firsts this year and one last year - a 2.1 is nothing to be sniffed at and would stand you in goos stead to do a masters somewhere if you believe the institution would hold you back. To be fair even if you've a first from Trinners you are going to need more on your CV that just your degree in this economic climate.

Thanks for the advice, and I'm sorry but I was under the impression that Criminal Law is one of the most difficult area for graduates to get into? I think if I am lucky I could pull a 1.1 but would definetly be happy as long as a 2.1 or above. On a side note is Griffith Dublin a nice place to be during college time? Have only seen it once and that was during summer.

Liam.Carroll00

NoQuarter wrote: »

You only have college 4 days a week right? So go find a small firm that specialise in criminal law and get in on an ongoing basis on fridays and work for free.

I did that and was offered an apprenticship. Know criminal law and evidence inside out too.

After you have been in the firm a while you can work on your college holidays. Simples.

To be honest, I've tried to get something like this already but getting no replies to e-mails or phone calls... think I may just have to start arriving at firms doors in person

Tom Young

So OP wants to become a solicitor and respondents bang on about Barristers.

www.lawsociety.ie is your starting point. Thereafter, the search function here in boards works quite well. There are countless threads dealing with your query.

The remarks about the economic climate shouldn't be taken lightly.

Tom

Procrastastudy

Okay fair enough - I may have jumped down your throat a bit - hit a nerve is all!

Cards on the table - GCD is not Trinners - would I prefer to be there - yes I would. That said would I get half the opportunities that I've got at GCD no way. You will get out what you put in. I've been to one of the other campuses and I can imagine it's much lonelier going in all honesty. Are you transferring to FT or PT. PM me if you prefer. Are you current 2nd year (e.g. going into 2nd year in Sept or 3rd year?)

Liam.Carroll00

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Okay fair enough - I may have jumped down your throat a bit - hit a nerve is all!

Cards on the table - GCD is not Trinners - would I prefer to be there - yes I would. That said would I get half the opportunities that I've got at GCD no way. You will get out what you put in. I've been to one of the other campuses and I can imagine it's much lonelier going in all honesty. Are you transferring to FT or PT. PM me if you prefer. Are you current 2nd year (e.g. going into 2nd year in Sept or 3rd year?)

Sounds good to me and yes I am going into second year this September, FT.

Procrastastudy

Tom Young wrote: »

So OP wants to become a solicitor and respondents bang on about Barristers.

Not a comment ref Moding per se so making it on the open thread - please slap me if wrong...

Not entirely fair there Tom my comments where aimed more at the GCD side of things and more generally about access to the legal profession though GCD. Breaking with tradition I went with what I knew about rather than commenting on solicitors as I actually don't know any from GCD. I am 100% sure that people have spoken to several barristers at GCD who have pointed them in the right direction in regards to solicitors. Well the wrong direction given its becoming a solicitor but you know what I mean.

Procrastastudy

Liam.Carroll00 wrote: »

Sounds good to me and yes I am going into second year this September, FT.

You'll quickly figure out who I am then

Tips:

Get your CV up to date and get some volunteering done if you haven't already apply for the Innocence Project. Good luck you and I are both gonna need it - selection is a bloody nightmare.

Get to know Ed Mathews - He's heading up the FLAC that's being launched.

You will be lectured by both Elaine and Ciara - Couldn't be more helpful people.

Get to as many of the events as possible - you'll run into people in the legal profession. 90% of the won't be of any help / won't want to help you. Someone might just be a fairy god mother/father for you in the future.