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Paralegal work or training contract?

I am an inhouse paralegal and fully appreciate what a tough decision this is for you. If you want a TC and don't care what area of law your eventually practice in then go for it. However the private practice area of our profession is very clear cut; if you go and train for a high street firm which specialises in welfare areas of law such as PI or immigration you generally will find it difficult (in some cases impossible) to practice in a commercial outfit once qualified. If you are keen to do commercial work then you should think long and hard; you may be going backwards or on completely the wrong course career -wise if you take this TC!! i turned down a TC with a high street firm because i enjoy in-house legal/commercial work. Some may call me fussy but I refuse to be seen as desperate. I am now 1 year away from qualifying as a legal executive lawyer and so once qualified via ILEX; as i have the LPC i can apply to the SRA to be on the roll of solicitors without having to do a training contract. Yes it is a much longer route but i have better exposure in terms of work experience (i work for a global company), and I am developing my commercial acumen every day and i get involved in high profile deals.

29-Mar-2012

2:52 pm