Aspiring To Become A Solicitor As A Non-Law Student: Essential Skills To Develop

Written by S.A

In recent years, there has been more awareness on the conversion route known as the PGDL to successfully become a qualified solicitor from a non-law background. Although law continues to be a heavily competitive field, with many opting to study a law degree, this continuing trend of non-law graduates successfully gaining training contracts is changing the legal field as we know it. This is hugely positive for those studying other degrees, as more law firms are specifically looking out for those who have never studied the law before. In this short article, I aim to explore what skills they are looking for in future solicitors. These skills, taken from LawCareers.net, are highly transferable in many areas of your life, from work to university societies and personal hobbies. 

1. Communication 

The first skill of communication is a vital skill to gain trust and build connections with others. It is essential in the legal field because as a solicitor, you will need to represent your client in an authentic and honest way. Strong communication can be developed through participating in class and debating, as it encourages you to form coherent arguments. 

2. Teamwork

Another skill that is required not only in law but in other aspects of life is teamwork. Having the ability to work effectively with others is a must for becoming a solicitor. The truth is that it is far more efficient to work in a team than it is to overload yourself with tasks. To develop teamwork, you can practice becoming comfortable working with others, ideally people you don’t always speak to. 

3. Analytical skills

The third skill necessary to be a successful solicitor is analytical skills. Analytical skills are required as you simply can’t accept the content you receive, but rather question why it is the case. One way to hone this skill as an aspiring solicitor is to practice completing the Watson-Glaser test, which measures your ability to think critically and argue productively.

4. Time management 

Another example of a skill that is useful for any endeavour is time management. By treating your time well, you can find out that you can indeed get more out of your day. Time management is especially important in the legal field, as you are often working against tight deadlines, so you need to learn how to work under time constraints. University is a great time to experiment with your schedule and find out how best you work. 

5. Networking 

Finally, a truly underrated skill that is a must for all aspiring solicitors is networking. Networking consists of finding individuals who you admire in the professional field and creating a rapport with them. This can be done by attending law firm talks, visiting law firms or attending events. You should network not only vertically but horizontally, with your peers such as those in your cohort, thus creating a more holistic professional network. LinkedIn is the perfect place to achieve this. 

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S.A is a first year English Language and Linguistics student at King’s College London. In their free time, they enjoy writing, reading and baking the occasional cake. Although they are not entirely sure what they intend to go into after graduation, law is currently one of their main career interests.