Nq Solicitor
  • Publish Date: Posted 6 months ago
  • Author:by Cam d'Espagnac

Should you consider a role as an NQ Solicitor outside of London?

Are you seeking a role as an NQ Solicitor? Why limit your job search to London Law Firms?Typically, our London division is exceptionally busy recruiting Solicitors into Corporate and Real Estate areas of law, but the market has shifted, and these areas have seen a dramatic downturn in London. The result?A saturated market with fierce competition for the few available jobs.However, it’s not all doom and gloom! Our regional clients are thriving, and demand is high for quality staff, as these firms expand their teams. If you've recently qualified, or are due to qualify soon, ask yourself this: Why do you think you should only be looking for work in a London firm?Is it because you believe the work quality will be better in London? There are many excellent quality law firms in the regions outside of London, that not only win awards but also regularly carry out London-level work. Deals of multi-million pounds are regularly carried out in these regions, often with large London law firms on “the other side”.Is it because you think you'll never progress in the regions?Most regional teams are smaller, meaning you can gain valuable experience leading on deals and being responsible for all aspects of the deal right through to completion, not just a certain part. Also, because the teams are smaller, there are typically much better opportunities to progress!Is it because you think you'll earn less in the regions? Salaries may indeed be lower in the regions, but…because of the demand, salaries have started to increase and many quality regional law firms pay excellent starting salaries and offer regular pay reviews, with benefits packages that rival City firms. You'll also likely benefit from a better work-life balance in these firms, and without the commute into London you’ll save on travel expenses and gain valuable time back from not sitting on a train/bus or caught up in travel delays.Is it because you fear you’ll never get back into a City firm?Rest assured that we have placed many candidates in London, who have either trained with regional firms or moved out of the City before successfully returning. If you're struggling to find a position in London, it might be time to spread your reach a little further and secure a role in the area of law that you're truly passionate about. Remember to move to a quality firm that offers quality work, training, and development. You're much better off gaining post-qualified work experience by actually working!The Gerrard White Legal Team is here to help you get into your next career, whether that be in London or in a regional firm. We’re experienced in placing newly qualified legal talent to seasoned professionals. As Legal specialists across the Southeast of England we have some fantastic opportunities right now, get in touch with me to find out more! If you are a law firm, whether in London or a regional firm, looking for talent, I can help put you in touch with some fantastic candidates, let’s talk and see how we can help you.cam@gerrardwhite.com | 07850 469000

Share this Article
Back to Blogs

Are you seeking a role as an NQ Solicitor? Why limit your job search to London Law Firms?

Typically, our London division is exceptionally busy recruiting Solicitors into Corporate and Real Estate areas of law, but the market has shifted, and these areas have seen a dramatic downturn in London.

The result?

A saturated market with fierce competition for the few available jobs.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom! Our regional clients are thriving, and demand is high for quality staff, as these firms expand their teams.

If you've recently qualified, or are due to qualify soon, ask yourself this: Why do you think you should only be looking for work in a London firm?

  • Is it because you believe the work quality will be better in London?

    There are many excellent quality law firms in the regions outside of London, that not only win awards but also regularly carry out London-level work. Deals of multi-million pounds are regularly carried out in these regions, often with large London law firms on “the other side”.

  • Is it because you think you'll never progress in the regions?

    Most regional teams are smaller, meaning you can gain valuable experience leading on deals and being responsible for all aspects of the deal right through to completion, not just a certain part. Also, because the teams are smaller, there are typically much better opportunities to progress!

  • Is it because you think you'll earn less in the regions?

    Salaries may indeed be lower in the regions, but…because of the demand, salaries have started to increase and many quality regional law firms pay excellent starting salaries and offer regular pay reviews, with benefits packages that rival City firms. You'll also likely benefit from a better work-life balance in these firms, and without the commute into London you’ll save on travel expenses and gain valuable time back from not sitting on a train/bus or caught up in travel delays.

  • Is it because you fear you’ll never get back into a City firm?

    Rest assured that we have placed many candidates in London, who have either trained with regional firms or moved out of the City before successfully returning.

If you're struggling to find a position in London, it might be time to spread your reach a little further and secure a role in the area of law that you're truly passionate about. Remember to move to a quality firm that offers quality work, training, and development. You're much better off gaining post-qualified work experience by actually working!

The Gerrard White Legal Team is here to help you get into your next career, whether that be in London or in a regional firm. We’re experienced in placing newly qualified legal talent to seasoned professionals.

As Legal specialists across the Southeast of England we have some fantastic opportunities right now, get in touch with me to find out more!

If you are a law firm, whether in London or a regional firm, looking for talent, I can help put you in touch with some fantastic candidates, let’s talk and see how we can help you.

cam@gerrardwhite.com | 07850 469000

Latest Blogs

View All Blogs
Legal Gradusates
A Guide for Law Graduates: Securing Your First Role in the Legal Industry

Graduating with a legal degree is a phenomenal achievement, marking the start of your journey in a career in law. The transition from academic life to the professional world can be daunting. As a ...

Paralegal Image
Why Paralegals Should Embrace Full-Time Office Work: Insights from a Legal Recruiter

As the legal profession continues to evolve, paralegals are increasingly seeking hybrid work arrangements. Flexibility is indeed an important aspect of the working world particularly since COVID, b...

Insurance Broking - Customer Centric Skills
Insurance Broking: The Rise of Customer-Centric Skills

​In the high-stakes arena of insurance broking, success is no longer just about knowing your products inside out - it's about mastering the art of building human connections. We're talking about cu...

Trust
Why you should keep your recruiter informed...

​When working with a specialist legal, tech, insurance recruitment agency like Gerrard White during your job search, it's crucial to keep us informed about any developments that could affect the se...

Brochure & Animation Design Service
Make your hiring process stand out with stunning brochures and video Animations

Attracting top talent to apply for your job openings with well-crafted job descriptions is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in keeping them engaged and interested throughout your entire ...

Women In Insurance
Strategies for getting more women into the UK insurance industry

​The UK insurance sector is facing a significant gender imbalance, with women making up only about a third of the workforce. In certain areas like broking, this figure drops below 20%, highlighti...

Career Change
Why would you think about a new job when you already have one?

​We’ve all been there. You’re sitting at your desk, caught up in the daily grind, when a LinkedIn message pops up: “Exciting Opportunity for a……!” Your first thought? “Why bother? I already have a...

Hiring for Success
Hiring for Success: Balancing Cultural Fit and Technical Skills in the Modern Workplace

There’s no denying that the job market is currently very competitive, with more and more job seekers vying for fewer open positions. Organisations are facing critical hiring decisions - Should they...

Insurance Recruitment
Demystifying Insurance Recruitment: Why You Need Support

​In the UK Insurance sector, hiring the right talent can be a complex and challenging task. From understanding the intricacies and nuances of different insurance sectors to navigating regulatory re...

Hybrid & Flexible Working
The UK Insurance Working Policies Report 2024 - Hybrid, Remote and Office working

​The UK Insurance Working Policy Report examines the effect of office, remote and hybrid working on candidates and employees productivity, retention, quality of work and company culture. Read the ...

Legal Career Move
Making the Right Move for Your Legal Career

​The age-old conundrum every solicitor will face in their career: when is the right time to leave the cosy nest of the firm where they completed their training? You, quite rightly, feel loyalty tow...

Insurance Careers
Exploring the Benefits of Working in the UK Insurance Market

​A resounding topic of discussion at the BIBA conference last month revolved around Insurance providers introducing strategies to entice more young and diverse individuals into careers in the insur...

Hiring For Potential
Hiring for Potential: The Key to Thriving in a Fast-Paced World

​Consider this: in the ever-changing landscape of business, the skills required for success are constantly in flux. As technology evolves and industries digitalise, specific skill sets can become o...