Why do we hire non-law students?
We hire non-law students for the same reason that we hire
law students. You are the future of our firm. Your potential as a
lawyer has less to do with what you know right now – and everything
to do with what you can do. You can learn enough law in a year's
diploma course to take your place alongside law students on
the LPC, with no disadvantage or deficit.
So, if we don't insist that you have a law degree, what are we
looking for in our future lawyers?
We want bright, determined, articulate, flexible, resilient,
confident, entrepreneurial individuals with meticulous
attention to detail, a genuine interest in business, a good sense
of teamwork and a strong drive to succeed. Some of these qualities
will be evident in things you have achieved beyond your studies.
Again, the person you are matters more than the subjects you have
studied.
Of course, some degree subjects can be of direct value to
certain branches of the law. For example, scientists are often
especially welcome in the Intellectual Property practice. Linguists
may find their language skills at a premium in some of our offices
around the world or on pan-global deals. Our anti-trust/competition
practice is always on the look-out for economists and others
interested in this area of law. Knowledge of specific finance or
business disciplines can also be an advantage.
But no learning is ever wasted: a good degree in virtually any
subject will show that you have significant levels of intellectual
processing power, commitment and personal organisation. Many of the
day-to-day skills you have developed, such as writing, research and
analysis, are directly relevant to legal practice.