Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Take on a Law Career

A career in law has always been seen as a lucrative option, not just financially, but intellectually and socially too. Below are seven reasons why you should take on a law career.

There aren’t many sectors with career options as diverse as law. Most people tend to think of criminal law first, but the field encompasses many other practice areas such as:

During your studies, you would initially be taught an overview of the above practice areas. Upon completing a legal practice course or LPC, you will be able to specialise your studies and have the opportunity to decide which legal career path is suited to you. It is important you make this decision carefully, as it may determine which law firms and areas of law you are able to work for in the future. 

With so many practice areas and sectors to choose from, as well as the intricacies of each case or trial to contend with, lawyers are never short of intellectual stimulation. Whilst studying a law degree, law students also have the opportunity to take part in mock trials, or mooting, within a law society where you can develop your communication skills in a court-like setting, as a type of work experience. Finally, as laws and legal practices are constantly changing, it’s always possible to find new sectors to become knowledgeable in.

With the current rates of evolution and expansion within UK law and politics, there is no shortage of opportunities for aspiring lawyers to develop their skills and progress in their career. This global change and development mean there are always opportunities for career progression and specialisation within the legal field.

Once a graduate has received a training contract with a firm, the possibilities for career progression are seemingly endless. You may begin as a paralegal, then become a chartered legal executive, and then eventually become a qualified solicitor or barrister.

It’s well known that those in a legal career have the potential to earn a lot of money.

The average salary in the UK is approximately £30,000 a year, meaning that a typical lawyer has the potential to be earning over double the national average. Of course, these hefty wages are dependent on the quality and reputation of the law firm you work for, the area of law you specialise in, as well as the location in which you practice, with those based in a London city firm likely to earn substantially more. 

As a member of the legal sector, a certain level of prestige and influence is attributed to you. Historically, lawyers were seen as the intellectual and financial elite, with only members of the upper class permitted, or able to afford, law school. This obviously isn’t the case in the 21st Century, with education far more accessible than in the previous century. The ability to complete a non-law related degree prior to law training is also a benefit. 

With only doctors ranked higher, this statistic clearly shows the global respect a law career exudes.

As a lawyer, you will likely have the opportunity to help others by providing legal aid. The spectrum of legal advice that can be used to assist the public sector is vast. It is also possible to represent a client pro bono, wherein a lawyer volunteers their services free of charge to a client who may be unable to afford standard fees. 

Laws are created and changed daily. Some major law changes in the UK for 2020 include the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, a rise in the minimum wage, and a drop in student loan repayments. Although these decisions are announced by the UK government, they were first outlined by someone in a legal career. If you decide on a career in legal work, you have the potential to make big changes like this happen, bettering the lives of thousands of people.

Overall, taking on a career in a legal profession is a diverse, intellectually stimulating, financially prosperous and gratifying option. With the potential to positively influence the lives of many, whilst constantly learning on the job, it’s no wonder a law career is so highly respected and prestigious.

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