Private practice newly qualified guide

This depends on a few factors. For example, what you enjoy, the practice areas you did seats in during your training contract and the available options both at your existing law firm and externally. Each NQ season, we see a wide variety of opportunities come to market from private equity, employment, litigation and real estate, through to to white collar crime, private client and funds.  
It is also worth considering your longer-term legal career goals and the kind of firm you want to work at. Do you want to be at an elite US firm, a big international law firm or a city boutique? 

The type of firm you choose is a very personal choice and will depend on what you want to practise (given some firms specialise in certain areas) as well as the firm’s culture. You should consider the ethos of the firm, the working culture (including target hours and the work-life balance), the overarching values and the potential for career progression. Diversity, equity and inclusion might also be very important to you. What a firm stands for across all these areas is worth considering. 
In order to find out about all these areas, you should ask lots of questions at your interviews, research online as much as you can and see if you can connect with current or past employers at your level. 

There are a number of differences and similarities between these law firms and, depending on where you work, your legal career could progress in different ways. 

Structure: UK firms are generally more structured with a very distinct hierarchy, from Partners down through Senior Associate and Associate. This is seen less in US firms and they tend to have a flatter structure.  

Compensation: Historically, US firms pay higher salaries, however, all of the elite practices have started to be more competitive around compensation and there is a continuing battle to offer the most attractive packages. The elite US firms do continue to pay more even if the gap is shrinking. Most of the large firms with an international presence pay on the Cravath scale. This means that salaries are always linked to years PQE and all lawyers at the same level would be rewarded a similar amount. See our salary maps here.

Work-life balance: You can make a fairly good assessment on the work-life balance at a particular firm, based on the target hours they set for your level. On the whole, US firms have higher target hours, however, all of the leading firms are going to have high expectations of their lawyers and the work will always be demanding.  

You should talk to your recruitment consultant about all the opportunities in the market and not rule out any particular firm based on what you have heard. It is always good to consider everything and talk to the Partners and Associates during the interview process before you make any judgement as to what any particular firm is like.  
 

There are a number of reasons to work with a legal recruitment consultant when looking for your NQ role.  

Confidentiality: work with a recruiter who has a proven track record of establishing trusting relationships across the legal profession (not just with junior lawyers, but Senior Associates and Partners alike).  

Specialist legal expertise: By using a recruiter who specialises in the legal industry, you will receive a specialised service and in-depth industry knowledge including up to date benefits package information, tips for the interview process and often access to exclusive newly qualified solicitor opportunities.  

Strong network: An experienced legal recruitment agency will have multiple opportunities across multiple law firms and the whole private practice market. They will have strong, established relationships with the HR teams as well as the recruiting Partners.  

Understanding of the interview process: Your recruiter will know the firm well and be able to help you prepare for each interview. They will know what the firm is looking for and help you draw out the most important areas of your experience.  

Read more about why you should work with a specialist legal recruiter.