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How often do NQ level in-house solicitor roles come up?
In short, rarely! In fact, in the past 12 months (2010/11) across all of the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands we know of only 6 in-house roles for NQs.
Clients will often ask for lawyers who already have a minimum level of experience, usually 2 years’ PQE. This may be due to the fact that in-house teams are typically quite small and have less capacity for training and mentoring an NQ lawyer. Or possibly because as an advisor to the wider business you’d be expected to work with senior management teams and an extra couple of years’ experience would be an asset, both in legal and commercial terms.
However, occasionally NQ level roles do arise. And when they do you may need to consider how important joining a small or large team is for you.
What implications are there?
You might expect a large legal team to offer support and training, but that depends on how committed the line manager is to your mentoring and development. Likewise, you’d think a small team incorporating a couple of in-house lawyers might not be a good place to start your qualified career. However, we know of numerous Heads of Legal in small legal teams who act as training principal, and their ‘training focused’ attitude can make this an ideal environment for a junior lawyer.
The other key factor to moving in-house at NQ level is you. With relevant experience (such as an in-house secondment, a previous career in business or a wide-ranging training contract) and the right aptitude and attitude, making the move at this stage of your career may suit you perfectly.
16TH MAY 2012
Manchester headquartered BCL Legal - one of the leading legal recruitment consultancies outside…
1ST MAY 2012
Manchester headquartered BCL Legal, one of the leading legal recruitment consultancies outside…
