Overspecialising continues to hit junior lawyers within the employment market

19 March 2010

Cutbacks have hit the newest members of the legal profession harder than anyone else but the Junior Lawyers Division is tackling the issue through a series of re-training packages.

In association with The College of Law, the retraining programme is a two-day course covering the basics of private client law and practice. It is available to all Law Society members and is designed to extend knowledge in this resilient practice area.

Many of those who have specialised in banking, property or corporate law are feeling the effects of the global economic downturn more than other areas. In response to this, the JLD believe the retraining-programme will give struggling lawyers a chance to get back onto a successful career path.

Law Society president Robert Heslett says:

"While the retraining package is open to all members of the profession, we believe it will be of most benefit to junior lawyers. We are confident it will give members an edge in this very competitive employment market."

"The fact there is such demand for this course to date has also highlighted the problems associated with over specialising. We hope it will encourage trainee solicitors to keep their options varied when choosing which area of practice to venture into."

Heidi Sandy, chair of the JLD says:

"We have found that junior lawyers have really taken the brunt of the economic downturn and this is in part due to early specialisation in their careers.

"For example, during the property boom, there was a great demand for conveyancing lawyers but in the recession, this is not the case and many will now find it difficult to find or retain employment."

Colin Davey, Director of Business Development at the College of Law, says:

"We are delighted to be working with the Law Society on this programme; we believe it provides a real benefit to the junior lawyers' community."

The course has to date received excellent feedback from delegates thanks to small class sizes and a blend of presentation and interactive formats to enhance learning.