Musician applying for vac schemes

[sjs]

I'm writing to ask if anyone could recommend law firms that are open to accepting candidates from a non-law background.

I have spent the last ten years working as a musician/artist management and have decided to change careers and become a solicitor. I have recently completed the GDL with a distinction, and I am currently at UCL doing my LL.M.

I know there are quite a few firms that are out of my reach as my A Levels were not the best, and I studied Art as my undergraduate degree.

So far I have applied for Allen & Overy and Bird & Bird, and have some applications on the go for HSF, Charles Russell Speechlys, Jones Day, Mishcon and Lewis Silkin. If anyone could point out some firms that might be receptive to a candidate like me that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Abstruser]

I don't come from a non-law background so perhaps I'm not the best person to be offering advice, but I just wanted to say that although you're asking which firms might be receptive to a candidate like you, I actually cannot think of many law firms that wouldn't be receptive to someone like you!

I don't think it matters too much whether you studied law as an undergraduate - I think law firms are more interested in candidates that can demonstrate and articulate their motivations for pursuing a career in law. In fact, in one of my very first assessment centres I attended last year, I was the only law student in a group of six candidates. The others were studying subjects like biochemistry, theology, economics and politics.

Late stage career changers aren't unheard of - I recently went to an event at Linklaters where I met a trainee solicitor who had spent about 15-20 years in the civil service before switching to law. I would think that your history of work experience would place you in good stead to demonstrate many key skills that law firms look for, like good work ethic and teamwork.

As far as A-Levels are concerned, if you have the grades to make an Allen & Overy application (AAB), then you should be able to apply to most firms out there really, except perhaps more elite US firms like Skadden, Latham, Cleary etc. Most of the Magic Circle (even Slaughter and May) are quite flexible with A-Level requirements, so your A-Levels shouldn't preclude you from applying to those outfits as well, if that was something you wanted to do.

Finally, just an observation - the firms you have applied to/are applying to are quite different in size and expertise, so it might also be worth considering (if you haven't already) which practice areas you're more drawn to, and what type of firm you would want to train/practise in. That would go a long way to strengthening your applications. You might find this thread helpful - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/tcs-for-beginners.815/#post-4692.

All the best.

 

[SJamal]

To add to the above post, I don’t see why you cannot apply to any of the top commercial law firms, with your grades and experiences. You would have inevitably picked up a number of transferable skills, i.e speaking in front of an audience, working under pressure, teamwork, commerciality etc

In fact, from your experience if you draft your application outlining all the relevant skills you have obtained, it would most definitely stand out and be different, which is only a good thing. Graduate recruitment read hundreds of applications, one that is different from the norm will be interesting, and will most definitely stand you in good stead over a ‘normal’ so called application.

Good luck with everything.

 

[sjs]

Thank you very much for your responses, they are most helpful!

Finally, just an observation - the firms you have applied to/are applying to are quite different in size and expertise, so it might also be worth considering (if you haven't already) which practice areas you're more drawn to, and what type of firm you would want to train/practise in. That would go a long way to strengthening your applications. You might find this thread helpful - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/tcs-for-beginners.815/#post-4692.

Thank you for pointing me in the direction of the thread. I have been making my firm choices on whether they would be receptive to someone like myself as opposed to what the firm does. I've had a lack of confidence in my background to make my choices based on what type of firm they are, but I shall keep your advice in mind when picking firms.

And thank you both for your kind words, it has given me a boost in confidence!

 

[Hazal]

I want to echo the above but see why you're being tactical about this. However, when it comes to interview, be prepared to have more reasons for why you chose a firm. They want to feel like you've really made an effort to get to know them, beyond whether they're accepting of career changers or not.

Saying that the firm that gave me the biggest hint as to liking people with backgrounds as different as yours was Reed Smith. Not only do they have great standing in media/entertainment law (one client is SoundCloud), they once said at an open day that they offered a guy a vacation scheme because he related his passion for music so well, they wanted someone with that passion. He apparently turned out to be really dull in every other way (the recruiters were being super candid at this point), but that passion stood out and I can't think of many other firms who would see that and appreciate it.

I think it helps that RS is a strengths-based recruiter so they don't look to see if you've demonstrated team work in a legal setting, for example, they want to see what kind of person you are and whether that aligns with their values.