A Question of Degree: Tom Pauk on careers in law

Finito’s senior mentor gives a broad perspective on the possibilities of a legal career

Take it from me: becoming a solicitor is one of the most rewarding professional choices you can make. It is also one of the most demanding, and the journey into the profession can feel labyrinthine. Over the years, as a mentor at Finito, I have spoken to countless students and career changers about what it really takes. The truth is, there is no single route and no single type of solicitor. Instead, there is a spectrum of opportunities — and challenges — which you need to understand before you embark on a career in law.

Solicitors are everywhere in modern society. Many work in private practice, which simply means law firms, ranging from the small high-street practice in your local town to the huge multinational players in the City of London. A majority of solicitors still fall into this category, but an increasing number are employed “in-house,” working directly for companies, banks, charities or public bodies. Others are found in local authorities, the Government Legal Profession, the Crown Prosecution Service, law centres and NGOs. It’s worth appreciating that there isn’t a single solicitor “type” — the profession encompasses everything from a family lawyer on the high street helping a client through a divorce to a commercial lawyer structuring a multi-billion-pound merger.

The variety of work reflects that spread. In smaller firms, solicitors handle everyday but vital matters: conveyancing, wills, probate, divorce, personal injury claims, consumer disputes. There are firms with a focus on human rights, housing, environmental law and defamation, among many other specialisations. Larger firms specialise in complex, often international, matters. A commercial solicitor in a Magic Circle or US firm might be advising on corporate finance, capital markets, property development or employment law. Others work in areas like intellectual property, technology and data protection, aviation finance, shipping, or tax. Many transactions are cross-border, requiring you to work alongside colleagues in New York, Hong Kong or Frankfurt. If you enjoy fast-paced, international work, the commercial route may suit you; if your motivation is more personal — helping individuals through life’s challenges — then a high-street, regional or specialised practice might be more fitting.

Naturally, money is part of the picture. The question “How much does a solicitor earn?” is one of the most common I hear. The answer depends on where and how you practise. Salaries in large City firms are high, often starting well above what graduates in other professions could hope to earn after several years. But there is a trade-off: longer hours, billing targets, weekend work, and high stress. Smaller firms and the public sector pay less, but may offer a healthier balance between work and personal life. You need to ask yourself what matters more — the pay cheque or the lifestyle.

The next question is usually about specialisation. If you are still at university or even beginning your training contract, you don’t need to decide yet. Large law firms typically use the “seat system,” where you spend six months in different departments before choosing your focus. This is one of the best features of the training contract: it lets you discover what you actually enjoy and where you perform best. For those drawn to international work, many firms offer overseas seats — in New York, Singapore, Brussels, Sydney or Tokyo — or secondments within the legal departments of major clients. These experiences are invaluable, broadening your skills and network.

The formal route to qualification has changed significantly in the last decade. Today, the Solicitors Regulation Authority sets out a standard pathway. Depending on your background, you may need to complete a conversion course such as the PGDL. Everyone must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, a rigorous assessment that tests legal knowledge and skills. You then complete two years of qualifying work experience, often through a training contract but also possible via in-house placements or government service. During this period, you also finish the Professional Skills Course. Finally, you must meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements. There are alternatives: solicitor apprenticeships, which blend study and work, or qualifying through CILEX, which can be attractive to those without a university degree. The key point is that there is more flexibility than there used to be — but no shortcut.

Securing a training contract at a large firm remains one of the toughest challenges. The competition is fiercer than ever, with thousands of applications for a handful of places. The process often begins in your second year of university, when firms expect applications for vacation schemes — short work placements that act as an extended interview. From there, successful candidates may be invited to assessment centres, which combine reasoning tests, group exercises, written tasks and interviews. One of the most daunting hurdles is the Watson Glaser critical reasoning test, which measures logic rather than legal knowledge. It is not a test you can bluff or “wing”; it requires weeks of practice. Law firms set deadlines for completion, and applicants who underestimate the preparation involved often fall at this stage.

Even once you have the interview, success is far from guaranteed. Law firms want candidates who think clearly under pressure, who can analyse complex information quickly, and who communicate well. They are not testing your legal knowledge so much as your judgment, interpersonal skills and temperament. At Finito, we spend significant time preparing candidates for these assessments. We run mock interviews and case study exercises to simulate what you will face. Confidence comes from practice, and practice is what gives you the edge.

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that more applications equal better chances. Some students send out dozens, even hundreds, of near-identical applications. In reality, firms are looking for quality, not quantity. Recruiters can instantly spot copy-paste answers or generic phrases such as “I am a team player” or “I thrive under pressure.” Worse still are applications that simply regurgitate information about the firm itself — “I want to work for you because you have a global presence.” These add no value. What firms want to hear is why you, specifically, are drawn to them, and how your skills and experiences demonstrate a genuine fit. That requires research, thought and above all authenticity.

At Finito, we won’t write your applications for you — that would be both unethical and ineffective. What we do is push you to refine your story, to use concrete examples of problem-solving or teamwork, and to highlight challenges you have overcome. We help you connect your personal motivations with the qualities firms are seeking. Authenticity is what shines through. As one law firm recruiter put it to me recently: “We want candidates who genuinely sound invested in us.”

Of course, applications and interviews are not the whole story. Today, your online presence matters too. Most candidates’ journeys begin with a LinkedIn profile, and many underestimate how powerful that platform can be. We guide our students in creating a profile that is professional, compelling and network-building. Used well, LinkedIn can connect you with mentors, alumni and firms long before you send your first application.

And what if you are already a solicitor? Many of the people I work with are looking to move from private practice into in-house roles, or from in-house back into firms. Others want to progress to partnership or leave law altogether, transferring their skills into business, policy or non-profit work. The skills solicitors develop — analytical thinking, negotiation, precision — are valued in many sectors. The key is to identify and present them effectively.

In the end, the journey to becoming a solicitor is not a sprint but a marathon. It requires planning, diligence, resilience and self-knowledge. Every application must be thoroughly proofread, every interview rehearsed, every firm researched. But the rewards are significant: not just in salary or status, but in the satisfaction of solving problems, protecting rights, and shaping the world around you. With the right guidance and a clear sense of purpose, it is a career within your reach.

Useful Resources

Solicitors Regulation Authority: sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/

Salary comparisons: ten-percent.co.uk

Student insights: chambersstudent.co.uk, legalcheek.com, littlelaw.co.uk

Practice tests: thelawyerportal.com

Training contracts & vacation schemes: allaboutlaw.co.uk

Clifford Chance global virtual internship: jobs.cliffordchance.com/gvi-global