Becoming a Solicitor
Ringrose Law is registered with the Law society to offer training contracts. Once you have finished your Training Contract you will be entered onto the Roll of Solicitors. You can then apply for a Practicing Certificate and if you wish, join the Law Society as a full member.
Perhaps more important is the practical consideration of securing a job. Many newly qualified Solicitors prefer to stay on with the firm at which they trained, where they are familiar with both the practice and the members of staff. It is unlikely that a firm will invest time and resources in training you if it had not projected that a permanent place would be available at the end of it.
Life as an Assistant Solicitor
Having qualified and now employed your title will almost certainly be that of Assistant Solicitor in the first instance. This means that you are an employee of the firm normally working under the supervision of a Partner or Senior Assistant Solicitor (Associate Solicitor in Ringrose Law) and will work on a fixed salary.
The working life of an Assistant Solicitor varies considerably according to the type of firm you are with, the Partner supervising you, the areas of work in which you are practicing and your own abilities. In general, you will be expected to work hard and take responsibility for your own clients and files without constant supervision. To find out more about what it might be like, read our staff profiles and consider the differences in practice areas.
Associate Status
Most newly qualifieds work keenly towards increasing their seniority in the firm. Ringrose Law rewards that quality and commitment with the appointment of Associate Status. You don't have to be a solicitor to achieve this position. All our associate appointments are of senior, loyal and trusted members of staff. The appointment can progress on to salaried partnerships and finally full equity partnerships but you do not always need to go through all of these steps. It is possible for example to go straight from Assistant to Equity Partner.
Continuing Professional Development
The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires every Solicitor to update their skills and knowledge constantly so formal assessed training does not end with a training contract.
Partnership
The ultimate career ambition for most Associates in private practice is to become a Partner. Law firms are partnerships and are therefore owned and managed by the Partners. How long it will take you to become a Partner will depend on both you and the firm you are at.
Employment Generally
However, not everyone who works in a Solicitor's Office is a Solicitor. There is a wide range of staff including Legal Executives, Paralegals, Secretaries, Receptionists, IT Technicians, Human Resource Officers and Typists. All are equally important and valuable.
Here at Ringrose Law we also operate a Work Placement Scheme with well known local trading providers. Our staffing requirements change on an intermittent basis, but if you would like further information please contact our Human Resources Officer, Lee Siddle or check our website for current availability.
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