Small firms given chance to promote trainee places

Small legal firms in Scotland seeking to promote opportunities in their practice for trainee solicitors, have been offered help to spread their message at two forthcoming law fairs.

HM Connect, the referral and support network operated by Harper Macleod, is taking stands at the fairs at Strathclyde and Glasgow Universities, with the aim of educating students on the opportunities that exist at high street level, how firms there operate and how best to engage with them, while also presenting opportunities that exist across Scotland, including researchers, summer work, part time employment or potential traineeships.

The firm believes that although traineeship places across the profession continue to fall short of the number of law graduates seeking a place, most intending lawyers still focus on the larger firms in the cities, who regularly appear at the university "milk rounds".

Stephen Vallance, a solicitor with HM Connect who regularly visits its member firms, commented: "With smaller high street practices comprising overwhelmingly the profession by practice units and around half the profession by solicitor, there seems to be a disconnect which if left unchecked will cause issues both for students and practices alike. The vast majority of firms do not however have the time or the resources to engage proactively with either the universities or diploma students, and many worry that they are unable to attract or to retain qualified staff.

"Yet high street firms have so much to offer, including the breadth and quality of work, the amount of client contact, career and advancement opportunities and, in most cases, great communities and quality of life. Potential trainees also often forget that the commute to many of Scotland's towns is often less than from the suburbs into the city centres, particularly during rush hour."

HM Connect has attempted to address these issues through lectures and talks to diploma students, as well as meetings with legal firms and local faculties of solicitors across Scotland. It is now taking a further step with stands at the Strathclyde law fair on 19 September, and Glasgow on 2 October, both solely to promote the opportunities that exist at high street firms.

High street practitioners (whether HM Connect members or not) who have any potential work opportunities that might suit a law student are invited to email hello@hmconnect.co.uk to become involved. Alternatively if any practitioner would like to come along to either or both law fairs to meet those hoping to enter the profession, they can also get in touch.

Mr Vallance added: "We have already had some success placing trainees and work placements with member firms. There is no doubt that the expectations of both firms and trainees are evolving and many now want to 'try before they buy'. Summer placements and part time work give both an opportunity to see if the 'fit' is right."