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Solicitor Job Profile / Description
A solicitor will advise their clients and provide legal support and information. A client may be either a company, public sector organisation or individual. Solicitors’ advice on a range of different things depending on what you specialise in. Some solicitors will deal with commercial issues, such as, business-related disputes, corporate transactions. Some will specialise in personal issues, such as, buying/selling residential property, wills, probate, divorce, injury etc.
Qualified solicitors can work in-house for organisations, in a private practice, in court services or in the government.
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What do solicitors do?
Your role will vary depending on your specialist area and who you work for however typical activities may include some of the following:-
- Being instructed by clients;
- Advising clients on the legal issues related to a case;
- Drafting documents, contracts etc for the client;
- Representing clients in court and acting on the clients behalf in disputes;
- Negotiations with clients to meet objectives set;
- Correspondence with opposing solicitors;
- Working within a team of people to achieve set objectives for the client;
- Meticulous checks of documentation before signing;
- Training and advising trainees, legal secretaries, paralegals;
- Necessary preparation before attending court;
- Keeping on top of the law and new developments;
- Admin duties;
- Regular meetings with clients throughout a case;
- Keeping on top of your own personal development.
Are you looking for a solicitor job? Click here to browse through the relevant jobs on our site.
What are the entry requirements?
Graduates with a law degree must take the Legal Practice Course (LPC) over a one year period (or longer in a part time arrangement). To apply you must make an application to the Central Applications Board. After you have successfully completed this, you need to do a training contract to get the necessary practical experience. Whilst doing so, the Professional Skills Course (PSC) needs to be taken. You can then qualify as a solicitor.
For those graduates who have gained a degree other than Law, you can do a conversion course. This could be the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Common Professional Examination (CPE). Once these have been completed either full or part time, you can then do the same route explained above that law graduates have to undertake.
Non-graduates are able to follow the chartered legal executive route.
All of the above apply to England and Wales but it is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can contact the Law Society in either country for more information.
What skills do solicitors have?
The following skills are those particular important for a solicitor role:-
- Attention to detail;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Analytical and problem solving skills;
- Good negotiation skills;
- Commercial awareness and entrepreneurial spirit;
- Good numeracy;
- Time management and ability to prioritise;
- Ability to work well in a team and with other types of individuals;
- Flexibility;
- Stamina and energy.
What could I earn?
Starting salaries vary greatly depending on location and who you work for. Within London, starting salaries can be from around £19,000 and outside of London, around £16,000. Qualified solicitors earning potential can range from around £25,000 to £75,000 and partners in large firms could earn in excess of £100,000.
How many hours a week would I work?
Although your contract will probably state a normal 9-5 hour day, you will be expected to work much longer days and sometimes weekends.
What career progression is there?
Within private practice, solicitors will generally follow progression from assistant solicitor to senior solicitor to associate. Newly qualified solicitors are known as assistants and generally begin under a partner’s supervision gaining responsibility over time. The top position is a salaried partner or equity partner but this would not be achieved until around 8 years after qualifying.
Solicitors working in-house or within a government organisation follow a set structured progression which can end up in a management position.
Where do I look for solicitor roles?
Simply click on this link to find the solicitor roles in your location.
Search for solicitor roles here.
Get solicitor jobs sent to your inbox right here.
Browse through other legal jobs here.
Find out information about other legal jobs here.
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