The Advantage of Legal Internships in London
The legal sector in London is a catalyst for aspiring law students and trainees to boost their career progression, as the legal internships that London offers are unparalleled. Many international students will aspire to live and work in London at some point in their lifetime given the culture and lifestyle London has to offer. However , one thing that often goes unnoticed is the fact that London is growing year on year as one of the biggest centres for law and law students in the whole world. Statistically we can see that there are over 50 law colleges across London alone (which by the way is more than any other city in Britain) and over 200 legal firms that have some form of presence in London. It is these statistics that enable law firms to run successful legal internships with over 60% of top London law firms offering specific legal internships to applicants.
Now I understand you may be wondering ‘how does London itself impact on my work within the legal sector?’ – Well it is simple but significant. Law students who attend law schools in London and who complete their legal internships in London are likely to find that they experience a range of legal issues and cases due to the diverse population that lives in London. This exposure to a range of legal issues is not easily found in other cities around the world as it is easier for all citizens of the UK to travel and seek legal advice and assistance from London as opposed to a firm elsewhere in the country. Also the fact that some of the largest law firms on the planet are based in London means that legal interns are likely to get a much wider understanding of different areas of law on a more frequent basis than if they were to go to a different city to work. For example, Harvard Law School have previously carried out research which has discovered that London-based law students will have experience of more organisations and companies than law school students based anywhere else in the world, which clearly highlights the importance of working with a prestigious legal organisation based in London.
Categories of Legal Internships in London
When pursuing a legal career, the type of internship that you take can make all the difference. This is true for students who have a variety of internship options while studying law in London. Of course, the type of internship that you choose will depend on your interests and, hopefully, your career goals. The following is a brief overview of the different types of legal internships that are available to legal students in London.
Internships with Law Firms
Law firms attract more aspiring lawyers than any other employer offering legal internships in London. These firms are often willing to take on large groups of students to be trainees, which gives students a taste of working for a private practice. Students who want to go on to work as a solicitor need to seriously consider spending at least some of their time as a trainee at a law firm.
Internships with Corporations
Interestingly, businesses that are not law firms tend to offer a fairly small number of legal internships. Interns may be accepted by a corporation like Shell or BP and typically spend their time handling a variety of smaller tasks that are related to the law. The department they work in might be legal, compliance, audit, or risk management. Legal interns may be called corporate secretaries as well.
NGO Internships
A common misconception is that not-for-profit organizations don’t require legal interns. Many of these organizations do in fact have legal departments and require legal interns. Legal interns often get to take part in litigation that involves obtaining injunctions. They might also take part in public interest work and face research challenges. NGOs are known for taking an active interest in the community, so legal interns may also find themselves conducting research on laws that affect the community at large.
Government Agency Internships
There are many different types of governmental departments that offer interns the chance to participate in a variety of legal tasks. Interns might work in an administrative capacity and review statutory instruments. This old term means the same thing as what we generally refer to as statutory rules and regulations. Interns can expect to review papers and restate them in plain English.
Applying for Legal Internships in London
When it comes to applying for legal internships in London, candidates should take the time to research and apply to multiple law firms and internship programs. It is essential to apply to as many relevant opportunities as possible to maximise the chances of success.
Canadian law graduates can identify internship opportunities through various sources, including: It’s vital to make a list of potential legal internships in London that align with your interests and qualifications. A thorough application process will improve the likelihood of securing an internship.
The next step is to tailor your resume and cover letter for each internship opportunity. A well-structured CV is essential to standing out from the competition. Interns should clearly state their educational background (including an upper second-class degree or equivalent), academic performance, prior legal experience, and any extra-curricular activities that showcase transferable skills.
A tailored cover letter that highlights the applicant’s passion for law and suitability for the internship helps present the individual as a strong candidate. It should be concise and address key points from the job description while providing a personal touch that differentiates the applicant from other candidates.
For those who progress to interview stage, it’s essential to prepare appropriately. Researching the firm, its recent cases, and potential legal issues they may face helps demonstrate genuine interest in the position and the company.
During the interview, applicants should dress professionally and strive to establish a rapport with their interviewers. Candidates should practice common legal interview questions and have insightful questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Asking about the internship’s training and development programs is an excellent way to demonstrate eagerness to learn and grow within the firm.
Overall, the application process for legal internships in London requires diligent research, methodical preparation, and a positive attitude. By investing time and effort into the process, Canadian law graduates can secure valuable opportunities that will help them kick-start their career.
Key Competencies Developed Through Legal Internships
Interning at a law firm in London provides an unparalleled opportunity for interns to acquire essential skills and experiences that are invaluable for their future careers. These skills include:
Legal Research: One of the most critical skills acquired through legal internships is legal research. Interns learn how to navigate various legal databases, interpret legal documents, and locate relevant cases and statutes. This skill is crucial as it forms the backbone of most legal work and assessments carried out by lawyers in practice. Firms often look for candidates who have a demonstrated ability to conduct thorough and efficient legal research.
Client Communication: Effective communication is a vital aspect of legal practice. Interns gain the opportunity to interact with clients, take instructions, and draft correspondence. By sitting in on client meetings or client calls, interns hone their communication skills and learn how to interact with clients in a professional manner whilst showcasing their legal knowledge and commercial acumen .
Understanding the UK Legal System: Internships provide interns with insight into the functioning of the UK legal system, both in and out of the court room. This includes understanding the differences among the various areas of practice, such as: litigation, corporate law, intellectual property, immigration, real estate, employment, or even civil law. This basic yet crucial understanding of the diverse landscape of the legal industry is essential in assisting interns in making the correct decision about which area to focus on as they pursue their legal careers.
Commercial Awareness: Most firms require interns to be commercially aware and able to talk through external factors that can impact their clients. Given that many of the firms take on business for corporate clients, interns must be able to appreciate the commercial side to the various legal matters they are assisting on. This involves looking at the bigger picture and being aware of the key commercial issues affecting key players in the commercial industry such as assorted businesses, banks, charities and some public sector organisations.
Career Growth and Networking
Completing a legal internship in London can provide invaluable networking opportunities and open the door to career possibilities in the legal industry. As one of the most important financial and legal hubs in Europe, London is a city where legal professionals can thrive and build fruitful careers. The working environment in the city is fast-paced and competitive, yet collaborative and friendly, which allows for constant communication between like-minded professionals and opportunities to expand your knowledge of the industry.
When undertaking an internship in a law firm in London, you will find yourself interacting with not only lawyers and other interns, but also students from university and college. You may also be invited to attend external events that are not directly associated with your internship or the company you are working for. It is always good practice to maintain polite and friendly communication with these individuals, as they may become valued contacts later on.
A legal internship in London can also help you build relationships with other departments and team members outside the organisation you work for. Knowing the right people in the legal industry can come in useful in the future. For example, having strong connections with a colleague at another law firm could see you getting a contract in that business at some point in the future, as a form of mutual professional respect.
Networking opportunities go beyond formalities, such as arranging events such as dinners and nights out at the pub after work. It is important to ask the right questions and listen attentively to those who have already established themselves in the industry. Keep a notebook or a notes document on your smartphone or tablet in which you can jot down the advice you are given during your professional interactions with others. Be aware that sometimes the most important advice you will receive will be delivered during casual conversations, so don’t forget to pay attention to these as well.
The best thing you can do to open doors for yourself professionally in London is to stay calm, confident and courteous throughout your legal internship. Remaining open-minded, observant and inquisitive will ensure you make the most of your time as an intern in the city and that you learn all that you can. If you come away from your internship having made great contacts and having already made a name for yourself through efficiency and hard work, your success in the legal industry will follow.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the biggest challenges of gaining a position within a firm in London is lack of experience. Understanding that competition can be difficult, some firms may want to test out your understanding of law, your proficiency of the English language and if you have the motivation and drive to fit in with their team and the pace of work. This can lead to difficulty in obtaining an internship as you may find that the competition is greater than expected and the interviews that follow can be extremely competitive, where those of you who have never worked within a London firm may feel some discomfort in terms of working at a fast pace or balancing a demanding workload across various sectors of work. To combat this, you should practice by taking on pro-bono opportunities at university or working in an ancillary role within another industry as a means of demonstrating your competency in skills that you can transfer over into the legal world, such as client management, administration and time management .
Any fears over English fluency may need to be squashed entirely, as most firms will be more than accommodating in getting you up to speed with not only your English, but with your legal knowledge. Although this may be the case, it is always useful to know the terminology of the body of law that you may be dealing with before you start so you can hit the ground running, such as mental health, pensions or immigration law. A further challenge could be adapting to the UK legal system from a foreign perspective; always be alert and ready to learn so you can adapt quickly whilst maintaining quality and timeliness, as well as understanding the roles of different court functions to familiarise yourself with your role in the office.
One final challenge is the stereotypical "scary lawyer" – people who only care about winning and do not give their interns the time of day. If you are faced with a situation like this, never hesitate to ask questions and be uncomfortable, as you are there to learn and gain experience!