Diplomat -> Lawyer - Advice Needed!

[DiploSha361]

Hi all,

Long-time lurker. I'd really appreciate some candid advice.

I'm a 29 year old diplomat looking to transition into law with a long-term ambition to work in international arbitration.
I have 7 years experience in the public sector including 1 year in the Government Legal Department (non legal role), 6 years at the Foreign Office, with a few months in Rwanda and 18 months in Somalia as a political officer as the highlights. I currently work in a sanctions role.

I'm aware of all of the potential difficulties as a career changer but I actually have concerns over my transcript. I got a 2.1 from UCL in History and Politics (67) but got a couple of sub 2:1 modules in first and second year (2 in each). These were largely econ modules. 1st year was due to me being a lazy dumb student and second year was genuine extenuating circumstances for my final couple exams. The final year was all solid first except a couple 2.1. I'm looking to apply this cycle, targeting mainly firms with end of Dec/Jan deadlines. Got dinged by Clifford Chance (already).

I'd be keen to get a sense from the community here on whether I have a chance at a TC with these academics. I imagine some firms will be particularly hesitant, Magic Circle, US firms? I do have (in my opinion) interesting work experience though which I'd hope would go some way to counter balance.

Separately, I'm aware that I might not get a TC this cycle, but at my big age I don't want to be wasting time. As such, I was debating applying for a Jan 26 part time PGDL alongside my full time work. This would put me on the same timeline as the Sep 28 TC start dates i'm targeting (and I could stomach the costs) but I am unclear if firms will be recruiting for a Sep 28 start date beyond this cycle (i.e. - would my plan to not waste time fail).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi all,

Long-time lurker. I'd really appreciate some candid advice.

I'm a 29 year old diplomat looking to transition into law with a long-term ambition to work in international arbitration.
I have 7 years experience in the public sector including 1 year in the Government Legal Department (non legal role), 6 years at the Foreign Office, with a few months in Rwanda and 18 months in Somalia as a political officer as the highlights. I currently work in a sanctions role.

I'm aware of all of the potential difficulties as a career changer but I actually have concerns over my transcript. I got a 2.1 from UCL in History and Politics (67) but got a couple of sub 2:1 modules in first and second year (2 in each). These were largely econ modules. 1st year was due to me being a lazy dumb student and second year was genuine extenuating circumstances for my final couple exams. The final year was all solid first except a couple 2.1. I'm looking to apply this cycle, targeting mainly firms with end of Dec/Jan deadlines. Got dinged by Clifford Chance (already).

I'd be keen to get a sense from the community here on whether I have a chance at a TC with these academics. I imagine some firms will be particularly hesitant, Magic Circle, US firms? I do have (in my opinion) interesting work experience though which I'd hope would go some way to counter balance.

Separately, I'm aware that I might not get a TC this cycle, but at my big age I don't want to be wasting time. As such, I was debating applying for a Jan 26 part time PGDL alongside my full time work. This would put me on the same timeline as the Sep 28 TC start dates i'm targeting (and I could stomach the costs) but I am unclear if firms will be recruiting for a Sep 28 start date beyond this cycle (i.e. - would my plan to not waste time fail).

Thanks in advance.

Hi @DiploSha361 to take your questions in turn:

1. I think you have good chances of succeeding with an MC/US firm from a candidate-profile perspective: a high 2.1 from one of the best universities in the country + very substantial work experience in commercial/law-related roles will look great on paper for basically every firm (bar one or two who might target 1.1 candidates - definitely the exception to the rule). Of course, besides having these qualifications and experiences, your chances will depend on how well you can write your applications and perform in assessments and interviews; but from the perspective of a starting point odds of success analysis, you would be among the top percentiles of candidates.
2. While it is not impossible to get a September 2028 starting date even if you are unsuccessful this cycle (as, depending on how busy the firm projects it will be and your bargaining position - ie if you can leverage an offer from a competitor - firms can sometimes make adjustments to the usual recruitment schedule), I think it is quite unlikely. Current trends have seen firms push back the start date of trainee cohorts rather than push them forward, so unless the firm is doing really well in terms of client demand or they really like you as a candidate, it will be difficult to convince them to deviate from the norm.