I graduated with a 2.2 in law, completed the postgraduate legal practice course and got a job as a paralegal. Three years later I’m only earning £20,500 a year at a high street firm and I haven’t been able to get a training contract which I need to become a solicitor. Even my employer rejected me for a training contract too. I’m 25 now and I want to be earning a much higher salary so that I can buy a property, travel abroad and have a better life. But I don’t know where to start or what roles I would have a chance of getting. I would be grateful for advice on what roles would be worth looking at doing that have a potential to progress and earn a much higher salary. Thanks.
6 comments
Civil service. Good chance you should be able to start on 28-30k. Near endless scope for promotion. Can be a bit boring but it’s pretty good in nearly every other way
Don’t give up.
There are a few options available to you.
Cilex- you can do the training whilst working. It’s a bit longer than a TC but at the end you’ll be a legal exec and be able to get a similar salary to a solicitor. As you’ve dome your lpc, I think you can convert to a solicitor after but don’t quote me on that.
Go for the SQE. It will cost you but if you’re already working as a paralegal you should have the qualifying experience and get signed off. If youve done the lpc, you should be able to pass the exams.
Go to a different firm. Your paralegal salary seems a bit low and you might be able to get a boost just by switching. Local authorites pay paralegal equivalents at about £26k outside London. Plus if you go somewhere else, you might be able to impress them to get your TC. Just because you haven’t been offered one at your current firm doesn’t mean you aren’t ever going to get one. It just might be the firm you’re at. Some dangle the carrot of a TC but won’t ever give you one because they want to milk you as a paralegal.
Hope this helps mate. I was close to giving up before I got my TC but I’m glad I didn’t.
have you tried other graduate schemes. . I worked with a guy that started off in the legal team of a corporate via the standard grad scheme and eventually he convinced them to give him a training contract . . Even if you don’t get a training contract most grad schemes start at 30k.
Where are you based and what kind of law?… We’re hiring at the moment. Starting is what you’re on, with £23k once experienced (6-12m). Then further pay rises based on experience / progression… And we’re initially hiring based off no experience at all!
Joi the Civil Service. Loads of options of those with legal qualifications, every department has a legal team.
Civil service jobs .gov.uk or similar.
If you want something similar, look into commercial roles within civil service or other private sector organisations. They typically fund your CIPS procurement qualifications and is a good use of your skillset.
Alternatively, look at project management in civil service. Can find a HEO job paying £30k, that will fund project management qualifications (Prince 2 etc).