A law clerk is a very important job within the legal profession and consequently, law clerk jobs are applied for by substantial amounts of people. The most prominent role fulfilled by those with law clerk jobs is to research the laws and the facts surrounding a case and to brief the judge on any causes of action that should be taken. Those who successfully land law clerk jobs are often recent graduates who performed at the top of their class through training. A law clerk may also be required to brief any lawyers in the same manner as the judge. Law Clerk Job Description Law clerk jobs are generally temporary, lasting for a year or so, after which the individual becomes very coveted by elite law firms because of the nature of the role and the high ability required to be selected. Successfully landing a law clerk job often opens many doors to quick progression through the legal profession. The main duties for those holding law clerk jobs include:

• Researching legal documents to investigate the facts in order to brief the judge of any courses of action in a court case.
• To prepare and maintain any necessary documentation and to carry out any necessary correspondence.
• Review any necessary documents relevant to specific court actions including file pleadings, petitions and other documents and if necessary present these to the opposing counsel.
• To ensure the delivery and transports of any subpoenas to witnesses and parties.
• Arrange transport and accommodation, if required, for any jurors or witnesses.
• Communicate and arbitrate any disputes between parties.

Those seeking law clerk jobs should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as excellent organisational and clerical skills. Candidates require an excellent level of oral and written English comprehension as well as excellent levels of speech clarity and recognition. Persuasiveness, social perceptiveness, problem solving and decision making are qualities that all of those looking for law clerk jobs should possess. The average salary for law clerk jobs is between £20,000 and £35,000 per year.

Law jobs for graduates will continue to grow alongside the ever-expanding legal market in the UK. The routes into law are fairly standard with most having a traditional law degree and completing their LPC. However, some choose to obtain a degree in another field altogether but then have the option of studying an intensive masters in law in just a year. Whatever the chosen way, the qualifications and areas covered must be the same.

Law graduate jobs will require the candidate to have covered all of the seven traditional foundations of law. These are:

• Contract and tort
• Criminal law
• Equity and law of trusts
• Law of the European Union
• Property law
• Public law

(Those who have a law degree from foreign countries will need to apply for a Certificate of Academic Standing. This will legally confirm whether you can apply for English and Welsh law courses.) LPC After obtaining your degree in law, before you can apply for law graduates jobs, it is mandatory that you complete the Legal Practice Course. The LPC must be taken even if you have, or intend to do, a Masters in law. The LPC is the last hurdle before looking for law graduates jobs and eventually becoming a solicitor in Britain. It is a practical course that gives trainees the skills and knowledge required in the legal profession. The course can be completed at a range of institutions nationwide, and can be done as a full time one year course, or part time over two years. Training Contract Whilst studying for the LPC you should begin to apply for Training Contracts. Most candidates find that they will apply to a large number of firms and will only hear from a few. With this in mind, it is vital that you keep applying and do not become demoralised. It is perfectly normal to apply for tens of training contracts and only hear from a handful. This is because in 2009 there were 130 applicants for every one training contract. Different training contracts will vary from firm to firm. Larger organisations will have more structured programmes in place. It is common that when on a training contract you will spend a certain number of months in different departments so that you can achieve an overall experience of the law profession. Applications Law graduates jobs will normally require a CV and covering letter and/or an application form to be filled out online. It is thoroughly advisable to research all the firms you apply to. These firms look out for those who show they are motivated and their hunger for the job. Directories and websites will assist you in your research. Some top firms will require you to apply as much as 2 years in advance of starting law graduate jobs, while most will need a year. Future From 2011, the Solicitors Regulation Authority will begin a new route into law. If successful, this could mean that traditional training contracts as they are known now could be abolished. The idea is to give more options for those who wish to become lawyers. Paralegals will be able to gain solicitor qualifications whilst at work. Trainees in training contracts will have to work harder in order to become a solicitor, rather than it being just a given at the end of the contract.

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