Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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Hi Jessica. I have completed the equivalent of a training contract in Italy (2 years) after LLB and LLM/LPC like a trainee solicitor in the UK, but I am not qualified to practice as a lawyer yet because we have a final state bar exam, which unfortunately I failed 2 years ago. I can try that again, but in the meantime, I am shaping my legal studies and profile into the UK system to be qualified in this country as a permanent resident.
There is anything you suggest to facilitate or being more focused on my apps? Could I consider myself within the career changers group of applicants? I haven't changed studies or career, but only the country where I am living.
Please let me know your thoughts, very appreciated.
Thanks
Marco
Hi Marco
The main challenge here is that many will be concerned that you won’t be happy with starting from scratch again as a junior/trainee when you have already built up legal experience elsewhere - that is typically the main problem firms will find with people who have worked as lawyers elsewhere, but wanting to come to the UK to qualify. Saying that, 2 years isn’t too bad but there will still be a lot of questions as to why you are taking this route, so making this clear in covering letters or motivational questions is key here.
You won’t be seen as a career changer though - you will be seen as someone who has decided to take a backwards step in the same career they have chosen and therefore explaining the rationale behind that is important.