‘I’m a high street trainee with City law ambitions. Should I quit my TC?’

You’ll fit in fine at my City firm, don’t worry. Get qualified then send me your CV, we’re bound to need a new janitor by then.

Many former high street lawyers at my shop (NRF) and former home (Bakers) so definitely a feasible move!

The best thing you can do is get qualified and then seek to move afterwards. Plenty of peoeple in my commerical firm trained in high street practices and moved around until they made it here. If you are lucky enough to have a TC, definitely do not delay qualification any furhter.

Complete your training contract and manage your career from there. As there’s have said one step at a time and, I’d add, have a plan on how to reach your long term goal.

Obtaining any training contract is tough. My career started with a small high street firm, then to the Government Legal Service and from there to international firms and partnership.

Despite some very outdated attitudes which remain prevalent it’s is all possible.

The odds are very much against you but I’ve seen very unlikely things happen before. This issue is, you won’t qualify into a relevant area, so why would anyone take you on as an NQ without a relevant seat? I’ve heard of NQs from small firms paralegalling in City firms to try and obtain a job, not sure if that has ever worked (it’s definitely worked for those who hadn’t yet trained).

Make sure you know why you want this and make sure stacks up to what you expect.

I was in a simialr situation to you. Took a TC at a high street firm as TC’s are so lucrative i felt i was better to be qualified that not. Turns out i was right.

I did my tc at a high street irm specialising in conveyancing and private client with a small disputes team as well. Unsurprisingly i wasnt offered an nq position there as i had absolutely no interest in these areas. I worked with recruitment companies and made my own applications to corporate and employment law positions as i felt that i could tailor my expeirence into these areas the most and still enjoy my work. I was told multiple times that i wouldnt be able to make the jump to a massive city firm straight away but would have to go up in stages throughout my career.

They werent wrong but they werent right either. Ive landed a great nq role at a boutique firm (high street in style) but with london work that you get in national firms. mayeb im lucky and i worked my ass off but its definitely doable. I can say for sure that i would have been rejected form any of the bigger firms though had i applied.

In house is also a great opportunity from a high street firm as you will have great client communication skills from your experience so this is very transferable.

Dont give up hope but certainly dont give up your tc. its not worth giving up something so rare and valuable.

Never ceases to amaze me, how poorly prepared junior legal professionals are and the lack of understanding they have on how the market works. It seems universities are keen to take people’s tuition fees give you a law degree and wave goodbye.

Do they not provide any kind of insight into how the real (legal) world operates?

If you’re being trained in conveyancing and private client, you’ll have an incredibly slim chance of moving into commercial law upon qualification. Especially given that other NQ’s with commercial training will be first and foremost in consideration.

Someone really should have advised you beforehand how it all works. I’m sorry that you weren’t aware of this or didn’t have the people around you to educate you.

While nothing is impossible, you have the odds stacked against you.