NQ handbook
Qualifying as a lawyer might seem like the end you have been working to. Instead it is only the end of the beginning! For many lawyers, the obvious next step may be to remain with the law firm that trained you.
The learning curve can be steep on qualification, particularly for the first couple of years. If your current firm can offer you the position you want, you may decide to stay put in familiar surroundings and this is the route that the majority of trainees end up taking. For a growing number of people, however, qualification is also a time to move on.
Whatever the reason, our consultants have years of experience in helping newly-qualified lawyers find the right place for them. We get instructions across the board – from top City firms to niche practices and from one end of the country to another. We are on hand to offer advice at all stages in your thought process and we pride ourselves on the fact that if the right thing to do is to stay with the firm where you trained, we will actually tell you so!
When to get in touch with us
In terms of timing we would suggest ideally getting in touch in March/April if you are a September qualifier and in November/December if you qualify in January or March. Even if you think that you may be offered a position at your own firm it is worth contacting us just in case things don't work out as planned. You might also find that there is a better role elsewhere in your chosen field!
How the process works
We will have an initial telephone conversation with you and then if we think we can assist, we will arrange for you to meet with one of our specialist consultants. There is no fee - the law firms pay for our service not you!
Flexibility is the key
If you are not being kept on by your firm on qualification we recommend that you are as open-minded as possible in your search for your new job. Depending on the state of the market, you may not find your 'ideal job', so try to be flexible in your job search.
This applies not only to specialism, but also to location as the more places you are prepared to move to, the greater your chances of finding a role. Each region in the UK boasts firms that handle high quality work with excellent client bases and over the years we have successfully moved both City trained lawyers to the regions and regional lawyers into London.
Salaries
Currently in London, as a guide, small firms pay £38–£55,000, medium-sized practices £48–£60,000, and large firms up to £65,000. US law fims pay anything up to £96,000 plus bonuses! See below for more information on US Firms. In the regions, salaries vary; £30-£50,000 in the South (up to £43,000 is more typical), and £28–£40,000 in the Midlands, South West and North.
US Firms
Ever since the mid 1990s when the US firms started to build up in London, Hays Legal has been at the forefront of recruiting lawyers for these firms and our consultants are well placed to advise on making a move to a US practice. There are up to 3000 UK lawyers working at US firms in London and they continue to aggressively build up in the City, often recruiting at NQ level.
Whilst high salaries tend to come with high demands, there are lots of advantages to working for US firms that make such a move highly attractive. If you have trained at a City firm you will already be used to long working hours and we see no evidence that lawyers at US firms work any harder than at their UK counter-parts. Also, City lawyers are often much more comfortable with the culture of US firms, which benefit from their relatively small size in London and can effectively create a relaxed and friendly working environment. If you want more information on current roles at US firms, please get in touch.
NQ Handbook
To read the complete handbook and to find out more about employment opportunities, click here.
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