JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 89
LEGAL PROFESSION What's your specialism? Corporate/ commercial There are more than 10,000 solicitors working in-house for companies and businesses in the UK. The work is wide-ranging and demanding, from mergers and acquisitions to ironing out employment issues and industrial relations. Crime Barristers are key players in the criminal courts. They advise and represent clients in court, and could be called to represent either the defence or the prosecution. Employment Barristers work on disputes that go to employment tribunals, appearing on behalf of employees or the company involved. They also help to draft contracts and advise on working hours. Family Barristers specialising in family law work on financial negotiations, inheritance issues and prenuptial contracts. Human rights This is a huge and varied area, including immigration and asylum cases, privacy cases affecting celebrities, and international law issues. Clients come in all forms - some may be low-income refugees, others huge media companies and government departments. Intellectual property Lawyers in this area work to protect intellectual ideas, usually through copyright and trademarks. Private practice More than 80,000 solicitors work in private practice. They help clients with all aspects of financial affairs, including buying and selling property, advising on capital gains tax and making wills. IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK Tax A corporate tax lawyer advises clients on the most tax-efficient way of buying, selling or restructuring a company's assets. J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 8 9