Chambers Future Lawyers Research 2021

Future lawyers: the legal industry wants to know what you're thinking!

The Chambers Student guide strives to give students the very best information and analysis they can access on law firms, the Bar and the legal profession. Our guide is compiled via the insights and opinions of thousands of trainees, junior lawyers and students across the UK.

This survey aims to capture the data we need to understand the needs of our readers, and to help us produce the best guide possible.

Where we ask for verbal responses, we'd love lively, frank, honest comments, and we welcome anecdotes. Sharing your experiences will be invaluable to future lawyers. We are grateful to every trainee, lawyer and student who contributes to our research.

This survey is designed to take 5-10 minutes to complete. The identity of every contributor will be protected. Our research adheres strictly to GDPR requirements.

With thanks,

The Chambers Student research team

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* 1. What stage are you at in your academic career?

Other (please specify)

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* 2. At which university are you studying?

Other (please specify)

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* 3. If you are an overseas student, what is your country of origin?

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* 4. If you have a training contract or pupillage, which firm or chambers are you with?

Other (please specify)

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* 5. What subject is your undergrad degree in?

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Do you want to be a solicitor, barrister or pursue another career in the legal profession?

Solicitor

Barrister

Alternative career in law

Undecided

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* 7. In your career as a lawyer, how important are the following factors?

	Doesn't bother me	Not very important	Quite important	Very important	Essential
The intellectual challenge	The intellectual challenge Doesn't bother me	The intellectual challenge Not very important	The intellectual challenge Quite important	The intellectual challenge Very important	The intellectual challenge Essential
The opportunity to make the world a better place	The opportunity to make the world a better place Doesn't bother me	The opportunity to make the world a better place Not very important	The opportunity to make the world a better place Quite important	The opportunity to make the world a better place Very important	The opportunity to make the world a better place Essential
A prestigious career	A prestigious career Doesn't bother me	A prestigious career Not very important	A prestigious career Quite important	A prestigious career Very important	A prestigious career Essential
Clear career progression	Clear career progression Doesn't bother me	Clear career progression Not very important	Clear career progression Quite important	Clear career progression Very important	Clear career progression Essential
A positive working culture	A positive working culture Doesn't bother me	A positive working culture Not very important	A positive working culture Quite important	A positive working culture Very important	A positive working culture Essential
Work-life balance	Work-life balance Doesn't bother me	Work-life balance Not very important	Work-life balance Quite important	Work-life balance Very important	Work-life balance Essential
To be a high earner	To be a high earner Doesn't bother me	To be a high earner Not very important	To be a high earner Quite important	To be a high earner Very important	To be a high earner Essential

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* 8. What makes you view a legal employer as successful?

	Doesn't bother me	Not very important	Quite important	Very important	Essential
A good reputation in the market/top clients	A good reputation in the market/top clients Doesn't bother me	A good reputation in the market/top clients Not very important	A good reputation in the market/top clients Quite important	A good reputation in the market/top clients Very important	A good reputation in the market/top clients Essential
Size of its global network/large headcount	Size of its global network/large headcount Doesn't bother me	Size of its global network/large headcount Not very important	Size of its global network/large headcount Quite important	Size of its global network/large headcount Very important	Size of its global network/large headcount Essential
High revenue/profitability	High revenue/profitability Doesn't bother me	High revenue/profitability Not very important	High revenue/profitability Quite important	High revenue/profitability Very important	High revenue/profitability Essential
A positive working culture	A positive working culture Doesn't bother me	A positive working culture Not very important	A positive working culture Quite important	A positive working culture Very important	A positive working culture Essential
Being diverse and inclusive	Being diverse and inclusive Doesn't bother me	Being diverse and inclusive Not very important	Being diverse and inclusive Quite important	Being diverse and inclusive Very important	Being diverse and inclusive Essential
A positive environmental impact	A positive environmental impact Doesn't bother me	A positive environmental impact Not very important	A positive environmental impact Quite important	A positive environmental impact Very important	A positive environmental impact Essential
Commitment to society/community	Commitment to society/community Doesn't bother me	Commitment to society/community Not very important	Commitment to society/community Quite important	Commitment to society/community Very important	Commitment to society/community Essential
A long history	A long history Doesn't bother me	A long history Not very important	A long history Quite important	A long history Very important	A long history Essential
Its work for local economies	Its work for local economies Doesn't bother me	Its work for local economies Not very important	Its work for local economies Quite important	Its work for local economies Very important	Its work for local economies Essential

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* 9. What would put you off applying to a law firm or chambers?

	Doesn't bother me	Not very important	Quite important	Very important	Essential
Below market salaries	Below market salaries Doesn't bother me	Below market salaries Not very important	Below market salaries Quite important	Below market salaries Very important	Below market salaries Essential
Limited practice areas/seat options	Limited practice areas/seat options Doesn't bother me	Limited practice areas/seat options Not very important	Limited practice areas/seat options Quite important	Limited practice areas/seat options Very important	Limited practice areas/seat options Essential
Aggressive culture	Aggressive culture Doesn't bother me	Aggressive culture Not very important	Aggressive culture Quite important	Aggressive culture Very important	Aggressive culture Essential
Lack of diversity	Lack of diversity Doesn't bother me	Lack of diversity Not very important	Lack of diversity Quite important	Lack of diversity Very important	Lack of diversity Essential
Controversial clients (e.g. fossil fuels)	Controversial clients (e.g. fossil fuels) Doesn't bother me	Controversial clients (e.g. fossil fuels) Not very important	Controversial clients (e.g. fossil fuels) Quite important	Controversial clients (e.g. fossil fuels) Very important	Controversial clients (e.g. fossil fuels) Essential
Lack of pro bono or charitable work	Lack of pro bono or charitable work Doesn't bother me	Lack of pro bono or charitable work Not very important	Lack of pro bono or charitable work Quite important	Lack of pro bono or charitable work Very important	Lack of pro bono or charitable work Essential
Poor marketing/social media presence	Poor marketing/social media presence Doesn't bother me	Poor marketing/social media presence Not very important	Poor marketing/social media presence Quite important	Poor marketing/social media presence Very important	Poor marketing/social media presence Essential
Lack of international opportunities	Lack of international opportunities Doesn't bother me	Lack of international opportunities Not very important	Lack of international opportunities Quite important	Lack of international opportunities Very important	Lack of international opportunities Essential
Strong hierarchy/sluggish career progression	Strong hierarchy/sluggish career progression Doesn't bother me	Strong hierarchy/sluggish career progression Not very important	Strong hierarchy/sluggish career progression Quite important	Strong hierarchy/sluggish career progression Very important	Strong hierarchy/sluggish career progression Essential
Lack of early responsibility/intellectual challenge	Lack of early responsibility/intellectual challenge Doesn't bother me	Lack of early responsibility/intellectual challenge Not very important	Lack of early responsibility/intellectual challenge Quite important	Lack of early responsibility/intellectual challenge Very important	Lack of early responsibility/intellectual challenge Essential

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* 10. Which areas of legal practice are you most attracted to? (if too soon, leave blank)

	No interest	Not very interested	Quite interested	Very interested	I only want to do this
Arbitration	Arbitration No interest	Arbitration Not very interested	Arbitration Quite interested	Arbitration Very interested	Arbitration I only want to do this
Banking and finance	Banking and finance No interest	Banking and finance Not very interested	Banking and finance Quite interested	Banking and finance Very interested	Banking and finance I only want to do this
Bankruptcy and restructuring	Bankruptcy and restructuring No interest	Bankruptcy and restructuring Not very interested	Bankruptcy and restructuring Quite interested	Bankruptcy and restructuring Very interested	Bankruptcy and restructuring I only want to do this
Capital markets	Capital markets No interest	Capital markets Not very interested	Capital markets Quite interested	Capital markets Very interested	Capital markets I only want to do this
Chancery	Chancery No interest	Chancery Not very interested	Chancery Quite interested	Chancery Very interested	Chancery I only want to do this
Commercial	Commercial No interest	Commercial Not very interested	Commercial Quite interested	Commercial Very interested	Commercial I only want to do this
Competition/Antitrust	Competition/Antitrust No interest	Competition/Antitrust Not very interested	Competition/Antitrust Quite interested	Competition/Antitrust Very interested	Competition/Antitrust I only want to do this
Construction	Construction No interest	Construction Not very interested	Construction Quite interested	Construction Very interested	Construction I only want to do this
Corporate/M&A	Corporate/M&A No interest	Corporate/M&A Not very interested	Corporate/M&A Quite interested	Corporate/M&A Very interested	Corporate/M&A I only want to do this
Crime	Crime No interest	Crime Not very interested	Crime Quite interested	Crime Very interested	Crime I only want to do this
Employment	Employment No interest	Employment Not very interested	Employment Quite interested	Employment Very interested	Employment I only want to do this
Environment	Environment No interest	Environment Not very interested	Environment Quite interested	Environment Very interested	Environment I only want to do this
Family law	Family law No interest	Family law Not very interested	Family law Quite interested	Family law Very interested	Family law I only want to do this
Human rights / immigration	Human rights / immigration No interest	Human rights / immigration Not very interested	Human rights / immigration Quite interested	Human rights / immigration Very interested	Human rights / immigration I only want to do this
Insurance	Insurance No interest	Insurance Not very interested	Insurance Quite interested	Insurance Very interested	Insurance I only want to do this
Intellectual property	Intellectual property No interest	Intellectual property Not very interested	Intellectual property Quite interested	Intellectual property Very interested	Intellectual property I only want to do this
Investment funds/Private equity/Venture capital	Investment funds/Private equity/Venture capital No interest	Investment funds/Private equity/Venture capital Not very interested	Investment funds/Private equity/Venture capital Quite interested	Investment funds/Private equity/Venture capital Very interested	Investment funds/Private equity/Venture capital I only want to do this
Litigation	Litigation No interest	Litigation Not very interested	Litigation Quite interested	Litigation Very interested	Litigation I only want to do this
Media and entertainment	Media and entertainment No interest	Media and entertainment Not very interested	Media and entertainment Quite interested	Media and entertainment Very interested	Media and entertainment I only want to do this
Pensions	Pensions No interest	Pensions Not very interested	Pensions Quite interested	Pensions Very interested	Pensions I only want to do this
Personal injury / clinical neg	Personal injury / clinical neg No interest	Personal injury / clinical neg Not very interested	Personal injury / clinical neg Quite interested	Personal injury / clinical neg Very interested	Personal injury / clinical neg I only want to do this
Private wealth, trusts and estates	Private wealth, trusts and estates No interest	Private wealth, trusts and estates Not very interested	Private wealth, trusts and estates Quite interested	Private wealth, trusts and estates Very interested	Private wealth, trusts and estates I only want to do this
Projects and energy	Projects and energy No interest	Projects and energy Not very interested	Projects and energy Quite interested	Projects and energy Very interested	Projects and energy I only want to do this
Real estate	Real estate No interest	Real estate Not very interested	Real estate Quite interested	Real estate Very interested	Real estate I only want to do this
Renewable energy/climate change	Renewable energy/climate change No interest	Renewable energy/climate change Not very interested	Renewable energy/climate change Quite interested	Renewable energy/climate change Very interested	Renewable energy/climate change I only want to do this
Shipping, aviation, transport and international trade	Shipping, aviation, transport and international trade No interest	Shipping, aviation, transport and international trade Not very interested	Shipping, aviation, transport and international trade Quite interested	Shipping, aviation, transport and international trade Very interested	Shipping, aviation, transport and international trade I only want to do this
Sports, media and entertainment	Sports, media and entertainment No interest	Sports, media and entertainment Not very interested	Sports, media and entertainment Quite interested	Sports, media and entertainment Very interested	Sports, media and entertainment I only want to do this
Tax	Tax No interest	Tax Not very interested	Tax Quite interested	Tax Very interested	Tax I only want to do this
Technology / telecommunications	Technology / telecommunications No interest	Technology / telecommunications Not very interested	Technology / telecommunications Quite interested	Technology / telecommunications Very interested	Technology / telecommunications I only want to do this

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* 11. What excites you about being a lawyer?

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* 12. What is your greatest concern about your career in law?

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* 13. What do you think is the greatest opportunity facing the legal profession?

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* 14. Do you prefer attending careers fairs and events in person or virtually?

In person

Virtually

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* 15. Which law firm or chambers has made the best impression on you so far?

Other (please specify)

Your identity

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* 16. What is your gender?

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* 17. In what year were you born?

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* 18. Would you describe yourself as either black, Asian or minority ethnic?

Yes

Prefer not to say

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* 19. Your secondary school education...

was at a state school.

was at a fee paying school.

involved an entrance exam/selective admissions.

involved a scholarship on entrance.

was as a school overseas.

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* 20. Would you describe yourself as having a disability?

Yes

Prefer not to say

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* 21. Do you identify as LGBTQ+

Yes

Prefer not to say

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* 22. Which of the following platforms are the most useful for researching law firms and/or barristers' chambers?

	Did not use	Not useful	Quite useful	Very useful	Invaluable
All About Law	All About Law Did not use	All About Law Not useful	All About Law Quite useful	All About Law Very useful	All About Law Invaluable
Chambers Student	Chambers Student Did not use	Chambers Student Not useful	Chambers Student Quite useful	Chambers Student Very useful	Chambers Student Invaluable
LawCareers.Net	LawCareers.Net Did not use	LawCareers.Net Not useful	LawCareers.Net Quite useful	LawCareers.Net Very useful	LawCareers.Net Invaluable
Legal Cheek	Legal Cheek Did not use	Legal Cheek Not useful	Legal Cheek Quite useful	Legal Cheek Very useful	Legal Cheek Invaluable
Lex100	Lex100 Did not use	Lex100 Not useful	Lex100 Quite useful	Lex100 Very useful	Lex100 Invaluable
Prospects	Prospects Did not use	Prospects Not useful	Prospects Quite useful	Prospects Very useful	Prospects Invaluable
Target Jobs	Target Jobs Did not use	Target Jobs Not useful	Target Jobs Quite useful	Target Jobs Very useful	Target Jobs Invaluable

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* 23. When researching law firms/barristers' chambers and making career decisions, which of the following platforms do you trust the most?

	Not at all	Somewhat reliable	Very reliable	Completely relied upon it
All About Law	All About Law Not at all	All About Law Somewhat reliable	All About Law Very reliable	All About Law Completely relied upon it
Chambers Student	Chambers Student Not at all	Chambers Student Somewhat reliable	Chambers Student Very reliable	Chambers Student Completely relied upon it
LawCareers.Net	LawCareers.Net Not at all	LawCareers.Net Somewhat reliable	LawCareers.Net Very reliable	LawCareers.Net Completely relied upon it
Legal Cheek	Legal Cheek Not at all	Legal Cheek Somewhat reliable	Legal Cheek Very reliable	Legal Cheek Completely relied upon it
Lex100	Lex100 Not at all	Lex100 Somewhat reliable	Lex100 Very reliable	Lex100 Completely relied upon it
Prospects	Prospects Not at all	Prospects Somewhat reliable	Prospects Very reliable	Prospects Completely relied upon it
Target Jobs	Target Jobs Not at all	Target Jobs Somewhat reliable	Target Jobs Very reliable	Target Jobs Completely relied upon it