AI & the Future of Law: What Students Should Be Learning Now
This session explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal education, early careers, and the skills required to succeed in the profession. The discussion featured George Hannah, a solicitor apprentice at a City law firm, who provided a first-hand perspective on entering law through a non-traditional route and developing alongside rapidly evolving technology. A New Route […]
Why Lawyers Need to Understand Business
The session, moderated by Andrej Savin, Professor of Information Technology Law at Copenhagen Business School, explored the growing need for lawyers to develop a strong understanding of business. The discussion reframed the core question: not only why lawyers must understand business, but equally why businesses must embed legal thinking into their operations from the outset. […]
Private Practice vs In-House: Choosing the Right Legal Career Path
This session explored the evolving legal career landscape through the lens of private practice versus in-house roles, with a particular focus on early-career decision-making, skill development, and long-term adaptability. The discussion was led by Moderator Ciara O’Buachalla, alongside contributions from participants across jurisdictions. Speaker Background Ciara O’Buachalla began her legal career in private practice, training […]
Beyond Big Law: Exploring Different Legal Career Paths
Last Thursday’s session with Vadym Kuzmenko, Legal Engineer at Legora, formed part of Legal Career Week 2026, where we explored how legal careers are evolving beyond the traditional associate-to-partner pathway. Drawing on experience across legal tech startups, Big Law innovation roles, and vendor-side legal engineering, Kuzmenko shared practical insights on how legal professionals can reposition […]
Breaking Into Law: Early Careers at Kingsley Napley
As part of Legal Career Week, Nicole Alexander, Early Talent Advisor at Kingsley Napley (KN), led a practical discussion on early careers in law. Alexander provided a clear view of the firm’s recruitment process, candidate expectations, and what differentiates successful applicants in an increasingly competitive landscape. Speaker IntroductionNicole Alexander is the Early Talent Advisor at […]
Does a Master’s Degree Improve Your Career Prospects?
As part of Platforum9’s Legal Career Week, this session explored whether a master’s degree truly enhances career prospects in law, focusing on its strategic value in an increasingly global profession. Rohit Bhatachaarya, a qualified lawyer from India, shared his journey from early legal roles to pursuing an LLM in International Economic Law at Warwick, highlighting […]
SQE Smart: Preparing for the SQE and Legal Interviews
Legal Career Week 2026 brought together leading voices from across the profession, including Robert Dudley, Head of Employability and Engagement at Barbri, for a focused session on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Drawing on over two decades of experience in legal education and training, Dudley shared practical, experience-led insights into the SQE’s structure, its challenges, […]
The Legal CV Blueprint & Cover Letters that Convert
This session featured Ross MacGregor, interview and application strategist and former lawyer at Linklaters and Akin Gump. MacGregor shared practical, experience-driven insights on how candidates can strengthen legal CVs and cover letters to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Reframing the CV: From Checklist to Sales Pitch MacGregor challenged the common misconception that a […]
Early Careers – The Mishcon Perspective
This session explored the evolving landscape of early legal careers through the lens of Mishcon de Reya LLP, with insights from Tom Wicksteed, Academy Manager, who leads early careers at the firm. The discussion covered recruitment trends, the growing role of AI, what differentiates candidates, and how training contracts are structured and delivered in practice. […]
From Application to Offer: How to Win a Training Contract
Last Monday’s legal career week session featured Nikola Bjelobaba, who shared a clear, experience-driven roadmap for securing a training contract, from early university decisions through to final offers. Early Foundations: First Year Matters More Than You Think Bjelobaba emphasised that, contrary to common academic advice, the first year is pivotal. While grades may not count […]