Law

Careers

If you haven’t yet considered law as a profession, Ahmed Al-Nahhas, partner and solicitor-advocate at London-based law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, explains the variety of opportunities it offers that might make it a very advantageous career move – it may even offer you the chance to help other ex-Service people and maintain your connection with the Forces …

What are my law career options?

As of March 2024, the Solicitors Regulation Authority reports that there are 163,658 practising solicitors working in approximately 9,318 law firms in England and Wales. These figures indicate a wealth of opportunities and potential employers for those transitioning from the armed forces to civilian life.

When considering a career in law, one of the initial decisions is to choose between the roles of a solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive. Historically, barristers have been viewed as the elite of the legal profession, spending most of their time in court representing clients and arguing cases before a judge. On the other hand, solicitors and Chartered Legal Executives advise clients on a range of issues on a daily basis, many of which may be ‘non-contentious’ and may not require the involvement of a barrister. They typically instruct a barrister if they need specialist advice on a particular legal subject or if a client needs to be represented in court.

One of the advantages of becoming a lawyer is the ability to specialise in an area of law that you are passionate about once qualified. This could be criminal, employment, corporate law, and many more. For ex-military personnel, a career in law could provide the opportunity to assist other ex-service people with claims for injuries and other issues that might complicate their transition to civilian life. Alternatively, working in a general practice can offer a more varied experience if you prefer not to specialise.

In conclusion, a career in law offers a wide range of opportunities for ex-military personnel, allowing them to utilise their unique skills and experiences in a new and rewarding field.

What’s life like as a solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive?

Transitioning from the armed forces to a career in law, whether as a solicitor or a Chartered Legal Executive, can be a rewarding yet challenging journey. The work is fast-paced with regular deadlines, requiring discipline and time management skills honed in the military. Understanding the economics behind a successful practice is crucial, and the variety of work is vast, with numerous areas for specialisation.

Lawyers are regulated by professional bodies with stringent rules and high standards for client care. This level of accountability might be familiar from your time in the service. While the career is largely desk-based, travel may be required to meet clients or attend court.

Despite these challenges, many ex-military personnel find a fulfilling second career in the legal field, where their unique skills and experiences are highly valued. The transition to a legal career offers a new mission: to serve justice.

Transferable skills

Ex-military personnel bring a unique set of skills to the civilian workforce that are highly valued in a law career. These transferable skills, honed during service, can provide a distinct advantage in the legal field:

• Communication Skills: Critical in conveying orders and articulating information clearly, effectively, and persuasively.
• Leadership Skills: The ability to inspire, influence, motivate, assess situations, make decisions, take risks, and determine goals.
• Analytical Skills: Used to evaluate data, research, compile, and interpret information, apply logic, handle numbers, and determine patterns.
• Organisational Skills: Includes time management, the ability to prioritise, disseminate and record data, generate accurate reports, manage resources, multi-task, administer, direct, and coordinate.
• Technical Skills: The application of practical know-how and hands-on proficiency, with specific equipment and machinery, software and hardware, chemical substances, techniques, and procedures.
• Personal Qualities: Having integrity, loyalty, resilience, character, self-discipline and control, being punctual, reliable, responsible, structured, resourceful, and mission-oriented, with a can-do attitude.
• Interpersonal Skills: The ability to listen, take orders, cooperate, supervise, negotiate, guide, and be part of a team.

These skills are not only relatable but also crucial to a long list of disciplines and occupations in the legal field. They can be incorporated into your CV or conveyed in an interview to highlight your suitability for a career in law

What skills will you develop?

Ex-military personnel transitioning into a career in law can expect to develop a range of skills that are highly valued in the legal profession:

• Legal Knowledge: Understanding and applying local, state, and federal laws, as well as the principles of the criminal justice system.
• Research Skills: Conducting thorough legal research to support cases and advise clients.
• Negotiation Skills: Negotiating settlements and agreements on behalf of clients.
• Client Care: Providing high-quality service to clients, understanding their needs, and maintaining professional relationships.
• Ethics and Professionalism: Adhering to the stringent ethical standards of the legal profession.
• Advocacy: Representing clients effectively in court or other legal proceedings.
• Problem-Solving: Developing creative and strategic solutions to complex legal problems.
• Written and Oral Communication: Drafting legal documents and presenting arguments clearly and persuasively.

These skills, combined with the transferable skills gained during military service, can make ex-military personnel strong candidates for a successful career in law.

Transitioning from the armed forces to a career in law can be a significant investment in terms of both time and money. Here’s what you need to know:

To become a solicitor, you may need to pursue an undergraduate degree in Law (LLB), which typically takes three years and costs approximately £9,250 per year. Following this, you would need to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which can cost between £7,600 and £18,000, and can be done full-time (one year) or part-time (two years). Alternatively, if you already hold a degree in a different subject, you could take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which costs between £5,000 and £12,000, and can also be done full-time (one year) or part-time (two years). These courses can be funded with a professional development loan from a bank.

If you’re interested in becoming a Chartered Legal Executive, you can join the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) without a degree and follow its vocational training course. The minimum requirement is four GCSEs. To become a lawyer through CILEX, you need to take a series of exams at level 3 (equivalent to A-level) and level 6 (equivalent to honours degree standard), which will take a minimum of four years by distance learning to achieve9. After the first year of training, you would be able to apply for paralegal roles within the legal sector, leading to a CILEX Level 3 Certificate. The full qualification at both levels entitles you to Graduate Membership of CILEX. In order to qualify as a Fellow of CILEX, and become a Chartered Legal Executive, you also need to undertake a three-year period of qualifying employment, one year of which has to be taken after passing all exams. This means you can start studying for the CILEX route via distance learning while still serving, and apply for roles in the legal sector while continuing your studies.

Use your ELC

Under the ELC scheme, a wide range of learning can be taken, provided it is offered by an approved provider listed on the ELCAS website and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to the in-depth features elsewhere on the Quest website

Finding work

If you’re transitioning from the armed forces and aiming to become a solicitor, securing a training contract is a crucial step. Many large firms recruit two years ahead of the start date, so it’s advisable to apply early, potentially while you’re still studying for your law degree.

Different law firms have varying standards for applicants, with the most sought-after firms having the highest standards and competition. It’s important to research the law firms you’re interested in, understand what makes them unique, and tailor your CV and covering letter to target them specifically.

Some law firms may sponsor you through your Legal Practice Course, which can significantly alleviate financial burdens.

Enhancing your CV and focusing on relevant work experience is key. What sets you apart from the crowd? Some firms offer two-week ‘vacation schemes’ – work experience placements that not only enhance your CV but may also provide an opportunity for a training contract.

In-house positions should not be overlooked. Working in-house typically involves being employed by a company to work as a lawyer, where your only client is the company. These roles can be competitive but often offer attractive financial packages and a better work/life balance compared to traditional work in a law firm.

As an ex-service member, you have a unique advantage: understanding the mindset of fellow service personnel. This understanding can be crucial to your success on many levels. You can market yourself to service personnel and veterans, who may prefer to do business with someone who speaks their language. Consider the links and contacts you may already have. Many of your former colleagues may have already established themselves in civilian careers – they could be accountants, business owners, or even lawyers themselves. Leverage your network to your advantage. They might be able to offer you work experience or potentially become a client of yours.

LAW APPRENTICESHIPS
Law apprenticeships exist in the form of government-backed, employer-designed schemes that cater for apprentices working towards three broad levels: legal administration/support, paralegal or solicitor. There is also a specialist pathway to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive. Click here for full details. Alternatively, use your favourite search engine to find out more, or click here to browse apprenticeship options near you.

What can you earn?

Lawyers’ earnings can vary significantly depending on their speciality and location. For instance, commercial/corporate lawyers often earn more than generalists. Those working in the City of London can command high salaries, often well into six figures. However, most newly qualified solicitors in 2024 are likely to be looking at salaries between £30,000 and £45,000.

For those pursuing the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) route, entry-level roles as paralegals can offer earnings between £15,000 and £28,0006 while working in a law firm and studying simultaneously. As they progress through the various stages of the qualification and gain experience, their income increases6. Once CILEX members pass all the qualifications and satisfy the three-year employment requirements to become Chartered Legal Executives, they can command a salary of between £35,000 and £55,0007. This figure can be even higher, especially for those who become partners in a firm.

Before investing time and money in your studies, it’s a good idea to research the areas you might specialise in to see if they are economically feasible for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ahmed Al-Nahhas is a partner and solicitor-advocate at London-based law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, where he heads up the Military Claims team.

He has written A Practical Guide to Military Claims, the first legal guide for practitioners, which deals exclusively with claims brought on behalf of Service personnel, veterans and their families. It can be purchased online from the following sources:

• Law Brief Publishing
• Amazon

If you’d like to get in touch with Ahmed, you can email him at ahmedal-nahhas@boltburdonkemp.co.uk