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<blockquote data-quote="IRO" data-source="post: 85290" data-attributes="member: 9978"><p>I'm obviously not Jessica but I might be able to offer some advice, particularly on the issue of pursuing a career in law with a disability. I am also neurodiverse (dyslexia/dyspraxia) and have a chronic illness which also qualifies as a disability. My advice is to always disclose your conditions and get the necessary adjustments to the assessment process.</p><p></p><p>Ultimately you need to find a firm which will support you and your needs, not only during the application process but throughout your career with them. The perspective I took is that my disabilities are not going away, and I need to prioritise a firm which will support me when I work with them or I won't be able to have a successful career. Any firm that is going to do that is also going to support you through the application process, and you will not disadvantage yourself by disclosing. The only circumstance where disclosing might be detrimental would be if you're applying to a firm which can't/won't support you, and frankly you deserve a lot better than to work for such a firm.</p><p></p><p>One thing that benefitted me last application cycle was to attend as many events about pursuing a career in law with a disability as possible. This will not only give you the confidence to apply and disclose knowing it won't disadvantage you, but you will also meet a lot of people who are successful solicitors and are also neurodiverse/disabled. I really benefitted from seeing that sort of representation in the legal profession, and you might as well. It can also be really useful in terms of identifying disability confident firms which you may want to apply to. I got my TC with my dream firm, and one of the many reasons they were perfect for me is because they are amazing at supporting neurodiverse employees. I met them at one of these events so would highly recommend it.</p><p></p><p>Good events include:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://staffordlongdiversitysolutions.com/events/access-to-law/" target="_blank">Access to Law</a> - sponsoring firms have included Macfarlanes, RPC, Weil and White & Case.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://explorethelaw.com/" target="_blank">Explore the Law</a> - sponsoring firms have included Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Latham and Watkins, Linklaters, and Norton Rose Fulbright</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/events/ability-event-2021/" target="_blank">AS Ability</a> - details of the 2022 event have not been released yet, it is usually sponsored by Reed Smith with panellists from a number of different firms</li> </ul><p>In terms of the MSc, go for it. It will not disadvantage you when applying to VSs/TCs. I myself am about to complete my doctorate in an area completely unrelated to law and if anything it made me a more interesting applicant. I had lots of partners ask me about my research interests, why I decided to do a doctorate, and why I was now going into law. It was a point of interest/a fun conversation topic. So long as you have a compelling answer to why you want to pursue a career in law you'll be fine. No one questioned my commitment to a career in law because of my doctorate so I can't see why they would because you decided to do an MSc! If you're really concerned maybe you can prioritize firms which encourage/are interested in career changers. I've met a lot of future trainees who have jumped around a bit/done further study/worked before pursing the TC so you won't be alone.</p><p></p><p>My advice for you right now would be to ensure you get a commendation at the GDL, as that will be attractive to firms and demonstrate your commitment to a career in law. Otherwise you should be going into this application cycle with confidence that you can land the TC. It sounds like you have a lot of experience and a lot to offer firms. That will be really attractive, and the right firm will see that.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="IRO, post: 85290, member: 9978"] I'm obviously not Jessica but I might be able to offer some advice, particularly on the issue of pursuing a career in law with a disability. I am also neurodiverse (dyslexia/dyspraxia) and have a chronic illness which also qualifies as a disability. My advice is to always disclose your conditions and get the necessary adjustments to the assessment process. Ultimately you need to find a firm which will support you and your needs, not only during the application process but throughout your career with them. The perspective I took is that my disabilities are not going away, and I need to prioritise a firm which will support me when I work with them or I won't be able to have a successful career. Any firm that is going to do that is also going to support you through the application process, and you will not disadvantage yourself by disclosing. The only circumstance where disclosing might be detrimental would be if you're applying to a firm which can't/won't support you, and frankly you deserve a lot better than to work for such a firm. One thing that benefitted me last application cycle was to attend as many events about pursuing a career in law with a disability as possible. This will not only give you the confidence to apply and disclose knowing it won't disadvantage you, but you will also meet a lot of people who are successful solicitors and are also neurodiverse/disabled. I really benefitted from seeing that sort of representation in the legal profession, and you might as well. It can also be really useful in terms of identifying disability confident firms which you may want to apply to. I got my TC with my dream firm, and one of the many reasons they were perfect for me is because they are amazing at supporting neurodiverse employees. I met them at one of these events so would highly recommend it. Good events include: [LIST] [*][URL='https://staffordlongdiversitysolutions.com/events/access-to-law/']Access to Law[/URL] - sponsoring firms have included Macfarlanes, RPC, Weil and White & Case. [*][URL='https://explorethelaw.com/']Explore the Law[/URL] - sponsoring firms have included Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Latham and Watkins, Linklaters, and Norton Rose Fulbright [*][URL='https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/events/ability-event-2021/']AS Ability[/URL] - details of the 2022 event have not been released yet, it is usually sponsored by Reed Smith with panellists from a number of different firms [/LIST] In terms of the MSc, go for it. It will not disadvantage you when applying to VSs/TCs. I myself am about to complete my doctorate in an area completely unrelated to law and if anything it made me a more interesting applicant. I had lots of partners ask me about my research interests, why I decided to do a doctorate, and why I was now going into law. It was a point of interest/a fun conversation topic. So long as you have a compelling answer to why you want to pursue a career in law you'll be fine. No one questioned my commitment to a career in law because of my doctorate so I can't see why they would because you decided to do an MSc! If you're really concerned maybe you can prioritize firms which encourage/are interested in career changers. I've met a lot of future trainees who have jumped around a bit/done further study/worked before pursing the TC so you won't be alone. My advice for you right now would be to ensure you get a commendation at the GDL, as that will be attractive to firms and demonstrate your commitment to a career in law. Otherwise you should be going into this application cycle with confidence that you can land the TC. It sounds like you have a lot of experience and a lot to offer firms. That will be really attractive, and the right firm will see that. [/QUOTE]
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