Career opportunites in Law in London

Finding certain types of legal jobs in London can be easier than others. This is because some legal specialties in London are not as common as in other locations; the need for barristers, for example, is not very high. However, if you are a qualified legal clerk, secretary, solicitor, or paralegal, you should have no problem finding work once you get to London.

Legal Jobs in London


If you are thinking about entering a career in the legal field then London is one of the best places to start your search. It is home to many of the country's biggest law firms and if you manage to find placement within them, you will be faced with many opportunities. You will find that many major legal firms throughout the UK constantly advertise for roles such as legal secretaries and solicitors. You should be prepared to start work at a very basic level and work your way up to higher positions, but if you do, it will certainly be worth it.

The trend in legal jobs has increased as time has gone on. These days there is more of a demand in London for legal professionals than ever before. However, there does tend to be the occasional dip in the industry. So, if you are struggling to find legal jobs in London, then just persevere as the downcycle will not usually last long.

Potential Job Opportunities

Different companies will offer you different opportunities, and the requirements needed to gain employment will vary by job. Some legal jobs in London may require you to have a certain number of years of experience within your chosen field, while others may only require you to have completed a law degree. Other firms may not care too much about qualifications, especially if you are applying for legal secretary jobs. So you will have to look around to find the right opportunities to suit you.

You can find opportunities for:
 

• Solicitors
• Paralegals
• Lawyer
• Legal Assistants
• Trainee Roles
• Litigation Secretaries
• Legal PA's

The above listed positions are just a small selection of the legal job opportunities available both in and around London. The assistant roles and secretarial roles do tend to be the most sought-after legal jobs and are quite easy to find. The higher up on the legal career ladder you want to go, the harder it will be to find a position to suit you.

No matter whether you are a UK resident or whether you are looking to immigrate to London, there will always be a legal opportunity for you. Applying for the major legal companies within the country is the best idea. Once you get your foot in the door, it is extremely likely that you will be given the chance to hone existing skills and gain new ones. It is more beneficial to a company to train existing employees than it is to bring in somebody new. If you work hard and make a good impression, then you should find that you could potentially go very far within a company.

Another thing to consider is that the legal sector is beginning to expand in scope. There is a higher demand for companies to turn international. If you aren't a UK citizen, then there may be even more opportunities for you, as UK law firms are now seeking people who can bridge the language barrier that comes with international expansion.

Overall, there is definitely a lot of opportunity within London.

Salary Information for Legal Jobs in London

One of the main things that you will likely want to know about legal jobs in London is what the salaries are like. Typically, salaries depend largely upon your experience, the firms to which you are applying, and what additional certifications you have.

London tends to be one of the highest-paying cities within the UK. This is because the cost of living is generally higher and the salaries need to reflect that.

If you are looking for a legal secretary role then you can expect to be paid around £18,000. However, salary again depends on experience. Starting salaries are as low as £13,000, but typically, in London, you can expect a minimum of £15,000. If you are highly experienced, then you may be able to find job opportunities in London that pay up to £30,000, annually.

If you are specifically looking for a solicitor position, you can expect to be paid around £20,000 for starting positions. This can vary, and the minimum starting pay tends to be £15,000 but in London, most solicitors start on at least £16,000. If you are well-qualified, then you can expect to be paid up to £70,000. Of course, it also depends upon which area of law in which you specify.

Conclusion

Overall, there are plenty of legal jobs in London, and the salaries can be quite attractive. It all depends upon the type of legal job that you are looking to take up. If you want to be a barrister then there are not as many opportunities as there are with legal secretaries, for example. So you need to consider this in your job search.