I often stop to think what life would be like if I was setting out on my career in the law now. 15 years ago when I was in the realms of applying for training contracts life was very different. Back then it was competitive enough getting a training contract, I got one on the second year of applying but I know many LPC colleagues who never had such luck.
Nowadays the profession is going through unprecedented change. Some started out down the lawyer route for financial reasons, I am guessing lots will have been disappointed unless they work in the City. Some set out to make a difference as corny as that may sound. Some of these pioneers may have started out in law centres or going down the route of being a criminal or other such lawyer working for legal aid. Now of course criminal legal aid is being changed beyond all recognition with the tender exercise that will see freedom of choice eroded for those arrested. No longer reliant on regulars even if their firm is one of the lucky few to get through the tender process. What will becomes of those that don’t?
Combine that with large firms going “bust” or dealing with SRA interventions and if reports are correct there will be more to come and the future does not look so rosy. Even us employment lawyers are not spared from the sea of change with the new fee scheme soon to be rolled out in the employment tribunal. Luckily for me I’m 10 years qualified and love what I do. If you have only just started out it must be quite disheartening/unsettling.
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