Firms are planning to increase their trainee intake for 2011 as economic activity picks up but the news has recent graduates frowning.
Silver Circle firm Herbert Smith is looking to recruit approximately 100 trainees to its London, Dubai and Paris offices, and between 6 to 8 trainees to its greater China offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai for 2011. The firm told ALB that the exact number of new trainee recruits will depend on the quality of applicants, their qualifications and work flow. Despite these variables, the figures are higher than the past few years.
While some 2010 law graduates were not shocked at news of an increase in entry-level recruitment by firms, they remained critical of the reported disparity between the number of trainee positions compared with those available last year. “It was a ‘lost year’. Most of us have pursued other careers or have taken on jobs that are not directly law related,” said one recent law graduate. The disappointment was clear. “It just sucks because it’s not our fault the economy went bust. We studied for 5 years and just happened to finished at the most inconvenient time, job wise,” said the graduate.
While HR departments and partners argue that a trainee program is not the only way to enter a major firm, the fact is law graduates will have to wait at least 2 years PQE till they have the skills and experience major firms are looking for in a junior solicitor. “If we missed out on a trainee role and are still looking for a career at a top-tier, our best shot is to wait till we have a couple of years behind us. By then we would have the skills and experience to enter as a junior solicitor,” the graduate said. “In the meantime we just have to ‘do our time’.”
The graduate, who requested to be unnamed, is currently “doing time” at a smaller firm to “rack up enough experience to move”. She said: “Smaller firms tend to be specialist firms or ones that work on a range of matters; on the one hand, you might get expertise in one area not of your choice, but on the other hand, you might work a range of matters but you’re not building your expertise in one specific area.”
However it’s a risk she has to take. “There weren’t that many options last year. It’s looking better for law students and grads this year,” she said. “I still can’t help but think it’s a little unfair.”
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