Looking to get into environmental law as a career changer - need advice

[tomperrett1997]

I have been working as a journalist and researcher covering climate change and energy policy for nearly three years, and although I enjoy the work, the pay is abysmal and the job security is effectively non-existent. I am not sure if I have a future in the profession. However, having written extensively about litigation cases brought against fossil fuel companies and governments, I have become interested in pursuing the emerging field of environmental law. Unfortunately, I have no legal work experience aside from having attended a couple of open days with regionally sized firms.

Will the fact that I am a career changer count against me when applying for training contracts? Should I make sure to secure a TC before applying for the PGDL course?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have been working as a journalist and researcher covering climate change and energy policy for nearly three years, and although I enjoy the work, the pay is abysmal and the job security is effectively non-existent. I am not sure if I have a future in the profession. However, having written extensively about litigation cases brought against fossil fuel companies and governments, I have become interested in pursuing the emerging field of environmental law. Unfortunately, I have no legal work experience aside from having attended a couple of open days with regionally sized firms.

Will the fact that I am a career changer count against me when applying for training contracts? Should I make sure to secure a TC before applying for the PGDL course?

If anything, your previous career is likely to help you - and from multiple angles. 1) transferable skills; 2) knowledge; 3) motivation and interest in a key commercial topic.

The challenge you might have here is that you are looking at a small niche in law, albeit a growing area. Many firms will be looking for people who are more open-minded to which areas of law they want to qualify into. However, if there are niche firms that really specialise in this, your knowledge of the sector could be particularly attractive to them.