Cocktails!

The Suffolk and North Essex Junior Lawyer Division were due a catch up, so what better way to do so than by doing some cocktail making?

We all met in a local bar on Friday, so it was a great way to end the week. It was good to see everyone again outside of a professional environment, although most of the talk was about the fears of qualification and the stages that we are currently at in our training.

Some new faces also attended the event, so it's great to see that more people are becoming aware of SNEJLD and know that we are all here to support each other and have some fun.

During the evening, I had a go at making a "Pornstar Martini", a rather dangerous cocktail I would say, as I couldn't taste any form of alcohol which meant that it was gone very, very quickly!

We also had a go at the limbo, where you were given a shot for every time you successfully got through. It was at this point that quite a few people had gone home, which meant that there were more shots for the rest of us!

After what was a very enjoyable evening, it's  now time to get through the week and make it to the first bank holiday weekend in May.

If any of you are Paralegals, Trainee Solicitors or are up to 5 years qualified in the Suffolk and North Essex area and would like to attend our events, take a look at the SNEJLD page on this website for more information.

Tips for Gaining Legal Experience

Finding work experience can be so tough in this industry and I remember making so many applications and getting nowhere. It almost feels like you need experience to gain experience in the first place.

The legal industry is competitive and you need to be determined to make sure you secure these placements. Here are my tips on gaining experience to help towards securing a job in the legal sector:

Tailor your applications to each individual firm. This may sound like you've heard this a million times, but this is genuinely one of the most important things you need to consider. If you send a generic application to a law firm they will 100% throw it in the bin. Look at the firm's website, note what accreditations they have, notable cases they have worked on and what charities/community groups they are involved with and mention these in your applications. This shows that you have taken the time to research the firm.

Small and local firms. Sometimes it pays to aim for smaller firms in your local area. For a lot of aspiring lawyers, London is the end goal, but if you are finding it difficult to secure experience in a large London firm look elsewhere. It is sometimes more beneficial to gain experience in small and local firms as they may have more time to teach you about the job.

Ask your friends. Perhaps you have no lawyers in your family or friendship circle, but a friend of yours may know someone that is. Ask your friends and family if they know a lawyer and if so, ask for a contact number or email address to ask about gaining some experience. It's worth a shot, and if you don't ask you don't get.

Local advice centres. If you're really struggling to obtain legal experience, perhaps start looking at local advice centres such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau or a Legal Advice Centre. Having experience in these places is of equal value to a law firm. Both involve giving legal advice and therefore this would definitely boost your CV.

Shadowing.  If you can't get a placement, see if you can shadow a lawyer for the day. Perhaps they are going to court for the day and you can tag along? It's worth asking and the worst that can happen is that they'll say no.

It's a long battle trying to get your first bit of work experience, but keep going. I made a number of applications and was rejected many times. Don't let it put you off, keep applying and if you are given feedback on any applications that weren't successful, pay attention to it.

Celebrations!

So over the weekend I turned the age of 24, I still look about 16 (I'm really short and covered in freckles) but I'll be thankful in ten years time. Is it at this point where I'm supposed to act like a grown up? I may find this hard.

At my firm, it's common for someone to bring in goodies for their colleagues on their birthday, so I brought in treats to mark the occasion, plus I brought them in on a Friday, what a good way to end the week! I don't know about you, but my colleagues (as most people do) have a weakness for anything sugary, so this is always a way to win points with them.

My birthday was on the Sunday, so on the Saturday I celebrated. I did go to the gym with my new toy (boyfriend) who just happens to be a body builder, so this is our idea of fun, I know, we're really sad! Nothing beats a heavy leg workout! We also went out for dinner to Pea Porridge in Bury St Edmunds (see link: http://www.peaporridge.co.uk/) and the food was absolutely delicious. The restaurant is set in two cottages and it has an extremely homely and comfortable atmosphere, I definitely recommend it to you all.

It's strange to think that I started my legal career six years ago when I turned up at University wondering what on earth I let myself in for, and now I'm only a year and 8 months away from qualification!

Here's to another good year, and next year I'll be able to say I'm going to be a Solicitor, the thought is terrifying!