Which Law Firm is right for me?

[ellewoodss]

Hi everyone,

This is my first cycle applying to law firms and I am interested in medical negligence and personal injury law, family law and sports law.
I'm still doing my research, and wanted to ask if there are any law firms which spring to mind that practice in these areas which I should not miss out applying for?

I'm also really interested in one day specialising in public inquiries, as I've always been so interested in high-profile government investigations (e.g., Grenfell, Covid-19 Inquiry, Manchester Arena). Although I don't know if this is an area of law specifically or how to get into this?

I've already applied to Irwin Mitchell so far and waiting to hear back from my online test/VI.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jessica Pearson]

The best way to find firms that you're interested in is to go to Legal 500 and check the rankings as they are divided by practice area and location. This will help you get an idea of the firms that do high quality work and/or have large teams and such areas.

 

[Aarav-TESTACCOUNT]

Hi everyone,

This is my first cycle applying to law firms and I am interested in medical negligence and personal injury law, family law and sports law.
I'm still doing my research, and wanted to ask if there are any law firms which spring to mind that practice in these areas which I should not miss out applying for?

I'm also really interested in one day specialising in public inquiries, as I've always been so interested in high-profile government investigations (e.g., Grenfell, Covid-19 Inquiry, Manchester Arena). Although I don't know if this is an area of law specifically or how to get into this?

I've already applied to Irwin Mitchell so far and waiting to hear back from my online test/VI.

Thanks for your help!

You’ve got a really coherent set of interests, and there are firms that genuinely allow you to explore that mix rather than forcing an early specialism.

Kingsley Napley is one that really stands out. They have a strong reputation across personal injury and family law, but they’re also heavily involved in public inquiries and investigations. A training contract there gives you exposure to a wide range of contentious and advisory work, which makes it a good fit if you want to keep your options open while exploring where your interests sit in practice.

On public inquiries more generally, it isn’t a standalone “area of law” in the way corporate or litigation is. It tends to sit at the intersection of public law, civil litigation and investigations, which is why firms with strong disputes and public sector practices are often best placed to offer that exposure.

Fieldfisher and Eversheds Sutherland are also worth looking at. Both have breadth across disputes, healthcare, and regulatory work, and their size means trainees can gain experience across multiple teams before narrowing their focus. That can be particularly useful if you’re still working out how your interests fit together in practice.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that at trainee level, the key is finding a firm with the range to let you explore these areas rather than trying to lock yourself into one niche too early. From what you’ve described, you’re approaching that question in a very sensible way!

 

[TDayne]

Hi and welcome 😊

This is a great start, as you are asking the right questions early!

Irwin Mitchell is a great firm for medical negligence and personal injury. Some others that might be of interest to you could be Leigh Day, Kingsley Napley, and Stewarts.

For firms directed more towards family law, maybe take a look at private client-focused firms, such as Withers, Farrer & Co, and Penningtons.

As for sports law, it is not usually a standalone practice area; however, some firms do have strong sports lawyers, such as Bird & Bird and Mishcon de Reya. On the other hand, you also have firms such as Northridge that focus solely on sports law.

'Public inquiries' is not a separate qualification route. Lawyers working on inquiries usually come from a regulatory or disputes background. Some firms that are heavily involved in inquiries might include Hogan Lovells, Dentons, CMS, and Freshfields.

You are doing the right thing by mapping interests now. Focus on transferable skills and keep casting a wide net 🌟