The Gazette 1993

GAZETTE

DECEMBER 1993

N E W S

Alternative Careers for Solicitors

Law School launches employer campaign

the period September 1985 - October 1993. Although the last period spans 1 thirteen months and shows a striking rise in solicitors not in practice, an equivalent earlier thirteen month period ending in October 1986 indicates no such rise. How this | difference is made up we are currently unable to say: generally numbers include solicitors on career breaks, on alternative careers and, perhaps, some newly-qualified solicitors who have not yet taken out practising certificates. It is in the area of alternative careers for solicitors where the Society's Law School sees the greatest scope for alleviating the pressure currently being maternity leave, in retirement or unemployed, those engaged in

experienced by the profession. In conjunction with the Employment Register a campaign is being launched over the coming weeks to persuade employers of graduates to consider recruiting solicitors to non-legal positions. 'It will be a vigorous campaign to which we anticipate a good response. The service being offered to potential employers will be free of charge and many benefits they may expect as a result of recruiting solicitors - contrary to both the Zeitgeist and general recruiting practice - should more than breed its own success," said Hazel Bovlan , Careers Adviser. "More than 95% of people on the Register have indicated they would like to be considered for alternative careers. Indeed, part of the drive is to alter people's thinking - both solicitors and potential employers - to recognise that solicitors are highly educated and professionally trained individuals with a great deal to offer in spheres other ! than private practice." '

Word on the street is that choosing a career as a solicitor these days is some- thing of a hazard. Indeed, one wag recently suggested renaming 'How to Become a Solicitor' — the Society's Law School booklet - 'Why Become a Solicitor?' In spite of the humour, the remark nevertheless carries a real sting in its tail and sums up the present-day reality being experienced by many would-be practitioners in the profession.

The graph below illustrates the numeric difference between the

number of solicitors holding practising certificates and those on the Roll for

Difference between Number of Solicitors on Roll and Number of Solicitors in Practice

1400

The focus will be to market solicitors as individuals who, for example

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• can meet the challenges of a wider range of career opportunities,

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• have the ability to think or conceptualise critically

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• have the ability to identify pitfalls before they occur such as in negligence, nuisance or libel, in breach of contract or statutory duty • understand the domestic and EC legal environments and legal obligations, such as employers' liability. To back this up and to respond to requests for CVs by users of the Employment Register, there is an urgent need for solicitors seeking jobs to reshape their résumé to address the

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(Continued on page 407)

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