Choosing a traineeship: deciding between different areas of law

Recruiters don’t expect candidates at interview stage to have picked a definite area of practice, with the exception of specific traineeships, for instance with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Having an awareness of the different types of work firms undertake and the clients they deal with is important though and something recruiters will expect you to demonstrate, both at application and interview stage.

The type of firm you join will determine the kind of work you’re exposed to as a trainee solicitor and, to a large part, the area(s) of practice you specialise in after qualification.

Large firms based in commercial centres such as Glasgow and Edinburgh tend to be more business-orientated and solicitors usually specialise in areas that include banking and finance law, construction law, commercial litigation, corporate law, employment law, information technology law, intellectual property law, litigation, real estate law and tax law.

Solicitors working in smaller firms and regional practices will usually work across a portfolio of practice areas that can include conveyancing, criminal law, crofting and agricultural law, property law, estate agency, family law and trusts matters.

Given that trainees might have the opportunity to remain with their firm upon qualification, it’s vital that you do your research prior to applying for training contracts in order to find a firm that fits with your interests.

The type of firm you join will determine the kind of work you’re exposed to as a trainee solicitor and, to a large part, the area(s) of practice you specialise in after qualification.

Choosing an area of law that will suit you

Think carefully about where your strengths lie. Some areas of practice are legislation heavy: tax lawyers must get their heads around lengthy finance documents with each new budget announced by the chancellor; environmental lawyers need to be able to cope with everchanging legislation from Europe. Other areas might be more about common sense and practical application of a narrow set of principles than constantly emerging legislation from Holyrood, Westminster or Brussels.

Economic cycles can affect the buoyancy of many practice areas. It’s important to consider whether you would suit areas that are cyclical and less predictable, or whether you like the consistency of more recession- proof work.