Career Changer Guidance - becoming a solicitor

[jamesdv2000]

Hi everyone,

I’m coming to law as a career changer, and wanted to use this to get some some advice and hear from others who are making / have made the switch!

I’m coming from a career in foreign policy and public affairs. I initially wanted to become a diplomat, and got into the Foreign Office - but after a lot of soul searching, I realised the path wasn’t really for me. I’ve worked alongside solicitors a fair bit in my career, and after speaking to some, I’ve decided that I want to make the switch. A brief history of my career to date:

• 1.5 years at a corporate intelligence and strategic advisory firm
• 1.5 years at the Foreign Office (in a strategic communications role)
• 6 months (to present) at a boutique public affairs firm

Academically, I have a good non-law 2.1 from Cambridge (humanities, 68%) and got the full 45 points in the IB, so hoping that might help me clear some bars at least.

I’m planning to apply for winter vac schemes through the autumn. I’ve applied to both BPP and ULaw for the part time GDL starting in September - currently waiting to hear back on Career Changer Scholarship applications that I’ve put in with both providers, and will make a decision based (at least in part) on whether I’m successful in securing funding.

I have an open day coming up with a US firm, and they’ll be opening up vac scheme applications shortly thereafter, so that’s my immediate priority.

I have a few questions that I’d really appreciate guidance on from anyone who feels well-placed to give it:

• Assuming I’m able to secure funding, is studying the GDL part time worth it as a signal of my commitment to law? Conscious I have no legal background, and I want to show that I am dedicated to this path.
• Relatedly, how might I be able to secure some relevant legal work experience? I’ve read up on volunteering for Citizens Advice - is this something that would be looked favourably upon by recruiters for someone in my position?
• Is there anything else I could helpfully be doing between now and when vac scheme applications open to boost my chances of success? I’ve been having a few informational interviews with associates at US and MC firms, but very keen to hear any other ideas people may have!

Thanks so much in advance - it’s a daunting journey to be embarking on, but an exciting one too!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone,

I’m coming to law as a career changer, and wanted to use this to get some some advice and hear from others who are making / have made the switch!

I’m coming from a career in foreign policy and public affairs. I initially wanted to become a diplomat, and got into the Foreign Office - but after a lot of soul searching, I realised the path wasn’t really for me. I’ve worked alongside solicitors a fair bit in my career, and after speaking to some, I’ve decided that I want to make the switch. A brief history of my career to date:

• 1.5 years at a corporate intelligence and strategic advisory firm
• 1.5 years at the Foreign Office (in a strategic communications role)
• 6 months (to present) at a boutique public affairs firm

Academically, I have a good non-law 2.1 from Cambridge (humanities, 68%) and got the full 45 points in the IB, so hoping that might help me clear some bars at least.

I’m planning to apply for winter vac schemes through the autumn. I’ve applied to both BPP and ULaw for the part time GDL starting in September - currently waiting to hear back on Career Changer Scholarship applications that I’ve put in with both providers, and will make a decision based (at least in part) on whether I’m successful in securing funding.

I have an open day coming up with a US firm, and they’ll be opening up vac scheme applications shortly thereafter, so that’s my immediate priority.

I have a few questions that I’d really appreciate guidance on from anyone who feels well-placed to give it:

• Assuming I’m able to secure funding, is studying the GDL part time worth it as a signal of my commitment to law? Conscious I have no legal background, and I want to show that I am dedicated to this path.
• Relatedly, how might I be able to secure some relevant legal work experience? I’ve read up on volunteering for Citizens Advice - is this something that would be looked favourably upon by recruiters for someone in my position?
• Is there anything else I could helpfully be doing between now and when vac scheme applications open to boost my chances of success? I’ve been having a few informational interviews with associates at US and MC firms, but very keen to hear any other ideas people may have!

Thanks so much in advance - it’s a daunting journey to be embarking on, but an exciting one too!

Hey!

Firstly, you've got a really strong profile already! Your academic record and the experience you've built in foreign policy, strategic communications and public affairs should give you plenty to draw on in applications, particularly when explaining why you are making the switch to commercial law.

In terms of your questions:

1. Is studying the GDL part-time worth it as a signal of commitment?

I don't think firms will necessarily view starting the GDL before securing a training contract as a stronger signal of commitment than someone who hasn't (although I did not complete the GDL, so others may have differing opinions!). Plenty of successful applicants (+ career changers) begin the GDL only after receiving a training contract as firms expect to sponsor it.

If securing a scholarship makes financial sense for you and you are happy with the commitment, then it could be a great option, but I wouldn't do it solely because you think that graduate recruitment teams will value it more.

2. Legal work experience

Citizens Advice is definitely a good option, particularly if you are looking to demonstrate an interest in the law and develop client-facing skills. I also volunteered at my university's legal clinic during my degree, and found it really valuable. It gave me plenty to talk about during interviews and helped me demonstrate skills like client communication, problem-solving, and working with people in challenging situations.

However, I wouldn't worry too much if you do not have extensive legal experience before applying, and many non-law students/career changers secure vacation schemes without it. I would focus on getting whatever exposure you can - whether that is open days, insight events, virtual work experience, networking with lawyers, or some volunteering. What matters most is that you can use these to articulate why commercial law is the right move for you.

3. Between now and applications opening

Generally, it sounds like you are already doing a lot of the right things! I would probably spend the remaining time refining your commercial awareness, researching firms in depth, thinking about the stories and examples you'll use in applications and interviews, and making sure that you have a really convincing narrative for why you are moving from foreign policy/public affairs into commercial law. Given your background, I think that narrative will be particularly important, as recruiters will naturally want to understand what has motivated the transition.

It might also be helpful to have a plan for the cycle ahead, and have an idea of what firms you'd like to apply for and whether you are solely applying for vacation schemes/DTC or a mix of both.

Overall, I think you are in a good position. The key now is less about adding as many things to your CV as possible, and more about presenting a clear and well-evidenced case for why you are making this career change and why you are applying to each firm. Attending open days and volunteering may be useful in helping to articulate these motivations, and speaking to those in the profession is never a bad idea!

Wishing you the best of luck with your open day and your scholarship applications, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey into commercial law!

 

[jamesdv2000]

Hi Abbie!

Thanks so much for this - really appreciate you taking the time to reply so thoroughly! Great to hear you think I'm in a decent spot, and your advice re PGDL and planning for the recruitment cycle ahead is incredibly helpful. I think as you say the challenge now is really nailing that 'why law' narrative.

My plan for this (and the truth behind it!) is outlining that, throughout my career, I've worked quite closely with solicitors - particularly in politically sensitive areas of the law including sanctions/export controls and international investment disputes - and have increasingly found myself wanting to understand and operate within the legal sphere, rather than alongside it.

The work I've done to date on these issues has always been parallel to legal work itself - i.e. building advocacy campaigns, engaging with politicians and parliamentarians, briefing journalists about developments, etc. For instance, a few years back I helped establish, grow and lead a pro-bono working group of journalists, investigators, and solicitors working to curtail the flow of dual-use technology to Russia. As part of this work, I developed a list of recommendations for tech manufacturers to implement in their due diligence processes to avoid the risk of re-export of their goods to Russian markets via third countries (and therefore limit the risk of them being caught in non-compliance with sanctions), and was even invited to present these recommendations at a conference hosted by the US State Department as a result of this work.

I also worked on a major international investment dispute between a European multinational and the government of a Middle-Eastern country - my role was essentially to identify political, commercial and reputational pressure points that we could activate to expedite settlement, as our client had received a $1bn+ ICSID arbirtral award in their favour which the opposing side was refusing to pay. This interested me so much that I ended up taking a course run by the BIICL in international investment law and dispute resolution, which was then really helpful in strengthening my work on the project.

These are some of the examples / things I'm looking to draw on in my VS applications. I'd really appreciate any thoughts or guidance on whether the above would work well in framing my desire to shift careers. I want it to shine through as genuinely as possible!

Obviously this framing / set of examples is geared towards a specific subset of legal practice, which not all firms will have - so I think a priority for me will be to tailor my approach to firms that have strong disputes and public international law practices. Hogan Lovells, Skadden, HSF and Baker McKenzie are the ones that stand out to me most from my current research, but I'll obviously keep digging!

Thanks so much again.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abbie!

Thanks so much for this - really appreciate you taking the time to reply so thoroughly! Great to hear you think I'm in a decent spot, and your advice re PGDL and planning for the recruitment cycle ahead is incredibly helpful. I think as you say the challenge now is really nailing that 'why law' narrative.

My plan for this (and the truth behind it!) is outlining that, throughout my career, I've worked quite closely with solicitors - particularly in politically sensitive areas of the law including sanctions/export controls and international investment disputes - and have increasingly found myself wanting to understand and operate within the legal sphere, rather than alongside it.

The work I've done to date on these issues has always been parallel to legal work itself - i.e. building advocacy campaigns, engaging with politicians and parliamentarians, briefing journalists about developments, etc. For instance, a few years back I helped establish, grow and lead a pro-bono working group of journalists, investigators, and solicitors working to curtail the flow of dual-use technology to Russia. As part of this work, I developed a list of recommendations for tech manufacturers to implement in their due diligence processes to avoid the risk of re-export of their goods to Russian markets via third countries (and therefore limit the risk of them being caught in non-compliance with sanctions), and was even invited to present these recommendations at a conference hosted by the US State Department as a result of this work.

I also worked on a major international investment dispute between a European multinational and the government of a Middle-Eastern country - my role was essentially to identify political, commercial and reputational pressure points that we could activate to expedite settlement, as our client had received a $1bn+ ICSID arbirtral award in their favour which the opposing side was refusing to pay. This interested me so much that I ended up taking a course run by the BIICL in international investment law and dispute resolution, which was then really helpful in strengthening my work on the project.

These are some of the examples / things I'm looking to draw on in my VS applications. I'd really appreciate any thoughts or guidance on whether the above would work well in framing my desire to shift careers. I want it to shine through as genuinely as possible!

Obviously this framing / set of examples is geared towards a specific subset of legal practice, which not all firms will have - so I think a priority for me will be to tailor my approach to firms that have strong disputes and public international law practices. Hogan Lovells, Skadden, HSF and Baker McKenzie are the ones that stand out to me most from my current research, but I'll obviously keep digging!

Thanks so much again.

Hey!

No problem at all! I think you have got a strong foundation for a compelling "why law" narrative, and what stood out to me in particular is that your motivation feels like a natural progression, rather than a complete career pivot. Across the examples that you have given, there is a consistent thread of working alongside solicitors on legally complex and commercially significant matters, and gradually realising that you wanted to be the person advising on those issues rather than supporting them separately. I think this comes across as authentic and genuine, which is exactly what firms are looking for in this answer.

I particularly like the investment dispute example and the fact that you want on to complete the BIICL course, as it demonstrates curiosity and shows your interest extends beyond the project itself.

My only suggestion would be to keep bringing your examples back to why they made you want to become a solicitor. The experiences themselves are impressive (+ I would definitely mention them!), but the key part is making sure that the graduate recruitment team can clearly see how they shaped your motivation.

I also think your approach of targeting firms with strong disputes and public international law practices makes a lot of sense, especially as your experience aligns really well with those areas. It is always a good idea to have a plan for which firms you are going to apply for, as you should always have some interest in them before applying.

Overall, I think you are in really strong position! You seem to have a clear and authentic story, and if you are able to keep your answer focused on how your experiences led you to commercial law, I think you'll be able to articulate your motivation in a genuine and persuasive way.

Best of luck with your applications!