Solicitor : Employers and vacancy sources

There are more than 80,000 solicitors working in private practices in England and Wales. Practices can range from sole practitioners to multinational firms with offices all over the world.

Other employers of solicitors include:

• commercial and industrial organisations - employ in-house solicitors to develop and implement corporate strategy, including mergers and takeovers, industrial relations and employment issues;
• local government - employs around 4,000 solicitors to advise on services provided by local authorities to the community (see Solicitors in Local Government for more information);
• Government Legal Service (GLS) - employs around 1,000 solicitors to advise government ministers and implement government decisions;
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) - employs around 1,500 solicitors and provides the opportunity for solicitors to practise advocacy.

It is also possible to work for HM Courts and Tribunals Service , advising magistrates on areas such as criminal law, family law and licensing.

The armed forces, charities and law centres also employ solicitors.

Sources of vacancies

• Law Society Gazette
• The Lawyer
• LawCareers.Net
• Prospects Law  
• TARGETjobs Law
• The Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook
• Chambers Student Guide
• Solicitors in Local Government
• Government Legal Service (GLS)
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• National and local press.
• Websites of individual law firms.

Training contracts with small to medium-sized firms are often found as the result of speculative applications, rather than by applying for advertised vacancies. The UK Legal 500 contains lists of firms useful for investigating training openings.

Opportunities for contracts can also arise from making a good impression during vacation work placements.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.