Claire Flores, head of student sales at BARBRI, discusses qualifying via the SQE, the global appeal of US law firms, and how aspiring solicitors can stand out in a competitive market
If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about six-figure salaries, skyscraper offices, and glamorous cross-border deals, you’re not alone. The appeal of US-headquartered law firms has never been stronger among aspiring solicitors in the UK — especially those thinking about qualifying via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). But how do you actually get there?
Ahead of our virtual event How to qualify, apply and work for a US law firm — with BARBRI this afternoon (Tuesday 22 April), we caught up with Claire Flores, Head of Student Sales at global legal education provider BARBRI. A US-qualified lawyer herself, Flores now works with students across multiple jurisdictions, from London to New York to Mexico City, helping them navigate the path to qualification.
Her career journey, much like the legal profession itself, has been anything but linear. “I actually did my undergraduate at the University of Arkansas in marketing management and economics,” she tells Legal Cheek Careers. “But I always felt called to law — it offered a sense of purpose. I loved the complexity of US constitutional law and the academic challenge of it.”
She went on to study for her juris doctorate at Saint Louis University, later passing the bar exam using BARBRI’s prep course. “I’d worked for BARBRI as a student ambassador and later as head ambassador during law school. So, when I passed the bar, they offered me a full-time role, and it felt like the perfect blend of my interests in business, law, and education.”
Flores initially worked with law schools across the US Midwest, but as BARBRI expanded internationally, she was invited to support their London office. “In 2017 and 2018, I spent summers in London helping grow our presence here. At that time, we were promoting the US bar to international markets, but we also had our eyes on the UK — and when the SQE was announced, it was a natural fit.”
By 2020, BARBRI had launched its SQE1 Prep course in time for the 2021 exams, drawing on its expertise in multiple-choice legal testing, a format it had mastered through decades of US bar prep. “There was a clear synergy,” says Flores. “The SRA looked to the US bar exam when designing the SQE, and we already had the infrastructure and expertise in place. It made sense for us to step into the space.”
So, what is it that makes US law firms so attractive to UK students, particularly those looking to qualify via the SQE? “There’s quite a presence of US and internationally-founded firms operating in the UK,” says Flores. “They offer incredibly competitive training and opportunities, and I think that’s very appealing to the new generation of lawyers. The client work is interesting, the case work is challenging, and there’s often a strong culture of high performance.”
She adds that globalisation is driving much of the demand. “Law is becoming more complex as the world becomes more interconnected. That means more cross-border matters, more collaboration between offices, and more international mobility for lawyers. And firms that operate globally are looking for trainees who can operate in that space.”
The SQE route, she explains, fits well with this evolving legal landscape. “It’s flexible and accessible — whether you come from a law background or not, you can qualify through the SQE and tailor the journey around your own circumstances.”
She also highlights the benefits of BARBRI’s SQE Prep course for students targeting top firms. “Our training is deliberately structured to be direct and effective,” she explains. “Whether you’re juggling work, care responsibilities, or other commitments, the programme helps you focus on what you actually need to know, so you can open up time for practical experience or firm placements.”
Flores is especially passionate about the rise in dual qualification — something she’s spoken about recently at events at the British Embassies in Paris and Mexico City. “English law is used globally, especially in arbitration and cross-border transactions. So, it comes as no surprise that international lawyers are increasingly looking to add England and Wales to their qualifications.”
She says many of the lawyers she speaks to cite similar motivations. “The lawyers who are dual qualified all say that having that comparative legal knowledge makes them better lawyers. They’re better able to advise clients, spot issues across systems, and build credibility, both academically and professionally.”
Having worked with thousands of BARBRI students over the years, Flores has a solid sense of what sets the most successful ones apart. “Discipline and dedication are essential — you can’t get through the SQE or the bar exam without those,” she says. “But the students who thrive at the top firms also know who they are. They know their strengths and can present them clearly to a recruiter.”
That doesn’t mean having your whole career mapped out from day one, she adds. “I always ask students: what kind of law are you drawn to? What unique experiences can you bring? Maybe you’ve worked in another industry, maybe you speak another language — those things can set you apart if you learn to present them confidently.”
She encourages students to experiment and stay open-minded. “Sometimes it’s about learning what you don’t want to do. And that’s just as valuable. Trying different areas of law is how you home in on your path.”
As for the SQE itself, Flores has two top tips:
“First, trust the process,” she says. “We’ve designed our courses using learning science. Every assignment, every module has a purpose. It might feel different to what you did at uni, but it works. Trust it, follow it, and you’ll be in a good place.”
Her second tip is about exam-day nerves. “In the last two or three weeks before your exam, start practising your perfect exam day. Go to bed at the time you will the night before the exam. Wake up at the time you’ll need to on the day. Eat the breakfast you plan to eat. Take the same journey. Literally rehearse the day.”
Why? “Because it helps reduce anxiety,” she explains. “You can’t control the trains or the noise outside the test centre, but you can control your routine. It made such a difference when I did it. I walked into the exam calm, well-rested, and already in the mindset I needed to be in.”
Want to hear more? Join us for ‘How to qualify, apply and work for a US law firm — with BARBRI’ THIS AFTERNOON at 4pm. The virtual event will explore the realities of qualifying and practising at a US law firm, and how BARBRI’s SQE Prep courses can help you get there. Speakers include Claire Flores and lawyers from top US-headquartered firms.
