It is the season of law fairs and once again, members of local Junior Lawyers Division (‘JLD’) groups attended various law fairs across the country with LawCareers.Net. On Saturday 8 November I was delighted to attend the University of Oxford Law Fair on behalf of the South London JLD.
The JLD is the body of The Law Society which supports junior members of the profession, namely LPC students, paralegals, trainee solicitors and solicitors with up to five years post qualification experience.
For the past two years LawCareers.Net, a leading law careers online resource, have kindly invited JLD representatives to join them at law fairs and the partnership has proven to be very fruitful.
This year I had the opportunity to meet Matt Broadbent and Josh Richman from LawCareers.Net. I have been a keen reader, and in recent times also contributor to, the leading publication and was therefore delighted to meet two of its most talented editors. Both had astute knowledge of the legal market and offered students gems of wisdom in addition to useful recruitment guides such as the Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook.
Oxford University hosted a very diverse fair which provided a comprehensive introduction to the legal world. The fair hosted law firms, chambers, legal institutions, pro bono organisations and education providers, giving students the chance to speak to a variety of people from across the profession.
Exhibiting at the fair afforded me the opportunity speak to diverse range of students about careers in law. Some were in their first year of study, exploring the idea of training as a solicitor. I was able to speak to students about my experience of entering the profession, including my non-law background. It was rewarding and inspiring to meet driven, talented students who were well researched and had prepared specific questions.
I enjoyed speaking to students about the JLD, including sharing my experiences and raising awareness of its existence to those just entering the profession. I shared issues affecting the profession which students should be aware of and recommended they get involved with extra-curricular activities and join a local JLD group upon commencing the LPC. Students were keen to hear about the support offered, free and automatic membership and wealth of information available through the JLD. The JLD produced a useful guide on becoming a solicitor that I shared with students, which addressed pathways to qualification and challenges they should be aware of.
As a law student I found the JLD to be an invaluable resource and am thrilled to now have the opportunity to sit as a Committee Member of my local group. It is fantastic to meet fellow junior lawyers from different firms, share experiences, network and plan exciting social and educational events for our enjoyment and betterment. As such, it was rewarding to share my experience with students, in the hope that my advice will encourage them to become involved with the JLD in the future.
With not so distant memories of myself as an inquisitive History undergraduate considering a career in law in mind, I am grateful to the JLD for giving me the rewarding opportunity to have helped introduce students to the legal profession.
Sehaj Lamba
Trainee Solicitor at Hanne & Co and South London JLD Committee Member
