Kara Sears
The Law Society is an independent professional body that guides solicitors in their work and ensures compliance with the rule of law. While membership is restricted to qualified solicitors, law students can benefit from the Law Society in several ways. Student membership is often complimentary and provides access to a range of professional development and engagement opportunities, including workshops, mooting competitions, social events, and careers advice. Law students can also access the Law Society's legal library, both online and physically, to aid their research. Furthermore, the Law Society offers free career advice for trainee solicitors and can provide support on legal practice and procedure. Overall, the Law Society is a valuable resource for law students, offering guidance, networking opportunities, and support throughout their academic and professional journeys.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career support | e-learning, events, confidential support on legal practice and procedure |
| Legal library access | research assistance, access to legal encyclopaedias and databases, document delivery services |
| Networking opportunities | connections with fellow solicitors, law firms, and employers in the legal sector |
| Academic support | soft skills, commercial awareness, and negotiation guidance |
| Diversity initiatives | Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) scholarship for students from less advantaged backgrounds |
| Alternative qualifications | Information on trailblazer apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships |
| Student societies | Social events, academic events, mooting competitions, mentoring schemes, trips |
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What You'll Learn
Career support and advice
The Law Society is a professional body for solicitors, providing support and guidance throughout their careers. While membership is restricted to qualified solicitors, students can get involved in other ways, such as signing up for 'My LS' to access a range of resources and support.
The Law Society provides career support and advice to law students through various initiatives. Firstly, they offer confidential support on legal practice and procedure, providing extra assistance and reassurance to those seeking guidance. This includes advice on CVs, interviews, applications, job searching, and career changes, helping students navigate the complex world of legal careers.
Additionally, the Law Society facilitates networking opportunities and events, enabling students to connect with fellow solicitors and build valuable relationships within their practice area. They also provide access to their legal library, both physically and online, where experienced librarians assist members with research, ensuring they have the resources necessary for their academic pursuits.
Furthermore, the Law Society keeps members informed about the latest developments and debates in Parliament and across Whitehall. They also offer a Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), a scholarship programme addressing barriers to the solicitor profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the legal field.
University law societies also play a crucial role in providing career support and advice to law students. These societies often host academic events, workshops, and guest speakers, offering insights into various legal careers and providing practical skills. They organise trips to law firms, barrister chambers, and courts, giving students a first-hand experience of the legal world. Some societies, like the University of Nottingham Law Society, have close relationships with leading law firms, offering unparalleled career opportunities and events like 'Dinner with the City'.
Law students can benefit from a range of resources and support by engaging with the Law Society and their university's law society, gaining valuable knowledge and connections that can enhance their career prospects.
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Access to networking events
The Law Society provides law students with access to networking events, which can be beneficial for their career prospects. These events offer opportunities to connect with fellow solicitors, build expertise in specific practice areas, and develop valuable soft skills.
One example of a networking event offered by the Law Society is the "Dinner with the City" event hosted by the University of Nottingham Law Society. This event provides a platform for students to interact with representatives from numerous leading law firms and education providers, fostering valuable connections and potential career opportunities.
Additionally, the Law Society of New South Wales (NSW) offers complimentary student membership, granting access to a range of professional development and engagement opportunities. Through LawID, a secure single sign-on platform, law students can unlock exclusive content and resources to support their legal studies and future career transitions.
Law students can also benefit from the Law Society's collaboration with top UK and international law firms, organising networking events to meet prominent employers in the legal sector. These events, such as workshops, informal pub crawls, and black-tie gatherings, enable students to expand their professional networks and gain insights into various legal careers.
Furthermore, the Law Society itself serves as a networking forum, allowing members to connect and interact with fellow solicitors. The Law Society's library and reading room in London provide spaces for members to meet and engage in legal research, fostering opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
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Academic and social events
Law societies offer a range of academic and social events to enhance the student experience and provide opportunities for personal and professional development. These events are designed to complement the academic curriculum and prepare students for their future legal careers.
Academic Events
Law societies often host academic events with guest speakers from the legal community, including practitioners, academics, and judges. These speakers share their expertise and insights, providing valuable opportunities for students to learn from experienced professionals. For instance, the University of Leicester's Canadian Law Society has featured guest speakers such as Canadian lawyer Jack Lavers and Provincial Court Judge, the Honourable Robert Hyslop.
Additionally, law societies organise workshops, certification courses, and competitions. For example, the University of Nottingham Law Society offers firm presentations, application and commercial awareness workshops, and mooting competitions. These events equip students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the legal profession.
Social Events
Law societies also recognise the importance of social events in creating a well-rounded student experience. These events provide networking opportunities and allow students to build connections with peers and professionals. Social events vary from informal pub crawls to black-tie events, cheese and wine evenings, and balls. For instance, the Dundee University Law Society organises an annual Law Ball and careers events in partnership with major firms.
Furthermore, law societies may organise trips to legal institutions, such as Parliament, the High Court, and barrister chambers, offering students a chance to explore these venues and gain a deeper understanding of the legal system.
Overall, law societies provide a diverse range of academic and social events, contributing to the holistic development of their members and preparing them for their future legal careers. These events foster a sense of community and offer invaluable opportunities for personal growth and professional advancement.
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Mentoring schemes and mooting competitions
Mentoring Schemes
The Law Society offers mentoring schemes to support law students and graduates, trainees, accredited paralegals, and solicitors at any level of their career. The Law Society of Scotland, for instance, runs two mentoring schemes to support members at all career stages. One of these schemes was launched in 2013 as a pilot programme and is now a permanent feature. It is open to anyone aiming to advance their professional career. In 2017, a scheme was launched to specifically support students in their traineeship search, with mentors being trainees who could offer valuable guidance. The Law Society of Singapore also offers a mentorship scheme, where mentees are matched with a volunteer mentor from a pool of lawyers beyond their immediate network. This scheme provides a platform for mentees to discuss issues such as ethical conundrums, practice area-related issues, mental well-being, and career development.
Mooting Competitions
The Law Society also offers mooting competitions, which are a great way to develop skills in a team environment under the guidance of an experienced coach. For example, the UNSW Law Society in Australia offers mooting competitions to students in their first, second, and third years of law. The UNSW Law and Justice Faculty also provides international mooting competition opportunities.
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Scholarships and apprenticeships
The Law Society provides several benefits to law students, including career support, access to their legal library, and a forum to expand one's professional network. In addition, they offer confidential guidance on legal practice and procedure for those seeking additional assistance or reassurance.
The Law Society of New South Wales (NSW) offers complimentary student membership, providing exclusive access to professional development and engagement opportunities. These opportunities support law students throughout their legal studies and transition into practice.
Furthermore, the Law Society, as an independent professional body, guides solicitors in their careers and ensures compliance with the rule of law. While membership has strict requirements, anyone interested in a legal career can sign up for 'My LS' to access various resources and support.
The Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) is a unique scholarship program offered by the Law Society to address the barriers to the solicitor profession faced by individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. Additionally, the Trailblazer Apprenticeship and Graduate Apprenticeship programs provide alternative routes to obtaining legal qualifications outside of the traditional path.
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Frequently asked questions
The Law Society is the professional body for solicitors, providing support and guidance throughout their careers.
The Law Society offers career support, access to a legal library and networking opportunities. They also provide confidential support on legal practice and procedure.
To join the Law Society, you must be a qualified solicitor and registered with the Solicitors' Regulatory Authority (SRA). However, anyone interested in a career in law can sign up to 'My LS' and benefit from a range of resources and support.
'My LS' provides law students with access to a range of professional development and engagement opportunities to support them throughout their legal studies. Student membership is often complimentary and can provide a great forum for expanding your network.
Many universities have their own Law Societies, which offer social events, academic support and careers advice. These societies often have relationships with leading law firms and can provide opportunities to gain practical experience and make useful contacts.
