Career development
- evaluate where you are in your career
- develop clear objectives
- plan your goals and how you'll achieve them
On this page you'll find:
Career clinic: book a consultation
Our monthly career clinics offer a free one-to-one consultation with a legal careers coach.
Each 30-minute consultation takes place over the phone or by Zoom for those based overseas (subject to agreement).
The clinics are suitable for:
- paralegals (including those completing qualifying work experience)
- trainee solicitors
- qualified solicitors (including those admitted overseas)
- returners and career changers considering a switch to law
Our coaches can share sector insight and offer objective practical advice and tips on:
- CVs, applications and interviews
- job search strategies
- career planning, including progression or changing direction
- options for trainees approaching qualification
- options for overseas lawyers to work in England and Wales
- how to plan a return to practice after a career break
- how to work more flexibly, including options for a portfolio career
- how to break into law as a career changer
- how to leave practice and change careers
Our coaches are not qualified to:
- offer tax advice, regulatory advice or business consulting services about setting up a firm or working as a freelance lawyer
- advise on applications for practising certificates or professional indemnity insurance
To book your consultation, email careers@lawsociety.org.uk.
Help to progress your career
Returning to law after a career break
Stress and mental health for law professionals
Advice about changing roles
Articles from the Law Society Gazette
- the best ways to advance your legal career
鈥 what salary should I be seeking in a senior solicitor role?
鈥 what would be the best way to get into commercial law?
鈥 is it really that difficult to move on?
鈥 which should I go for?
Gaining experience to move into a more senior role
鈥 after a senior prosecution role, what are the options if you don't want to go back to private practice?
鈥 Douglas Scott Recruitment examines how strategic career moves are helping junior lawyers to progress quickly
Recordings
(recorded 1 and 8 July 2022, 90 minutes each)
(recorded 23 February 2021)
(recorded 20 April 2021)
(recorded 20 May 2021)
(30 minutes)
(recorded 19 October)
(recorded 5 October)
Recharge webinars:
- (recorded 8 June 2022, 90 minutes)
- (recorded 28 June 2022, 90 minutes)
Update and refresher in private client law series:
- (recorded 11 November 2022, 2 hours)
- (recorded 16 November 2022, 2 hours)
- (recorded 18 November 2022, 2 hours)
- (recorded 22 November 2022, 2 hours)
- (recorded 25 November 2022, 2 hours)
- (recorded 30 November 2022, 2 hours)
- (recorded 2 December 2022, 2 hours)
You can also , which involves a 'buy six, get one free' discount.
Guidance on how to work differently
鈥 the long-held view that part-time lawyers lack commitment is changing
鈥 is it possible to pursue a second vocation alongside the law?
鈥 the daunting prospect of moving practice area or career sector
鈥 dealing with a work/life balance while we're working from home
Webinars
This webinar is for individuals across all levels of PQE who have hit a career crossroad and are considering how they can work more flexibly by building a portfolio career.
A portfolio career allows you to incorporate multiple jobs instead of the traditional full-time role.
This free webinar with Q&A is aimed at individuals who want advice on how to impress at job interviews. The session is suitable for solicitors across all levels of PQE and will be particularly useful for those planning a return to the profession after a career break.