One of the biggest frustrations for aspiring solicitors and legal professionals in the UK is being told they need legal work experience to secure opportunities — but struggling to get that experience in the first place.
If you are a law student, non-law graduate, or career changer wondering how to break into the legal profession with little or no formal experience, this guide is for you.
This article explains what law firms really mean by legal work experience, where to find it, and how to build it from scratch in a practical and realistic way.
Why Legal Work Experience Matters
Legal work experience is important because it helps firms assess whether you:
- Understand what legal work actually involves
- Can operate in a professional environment
- Have made a genuine effort to explore the profession
- Are committed to a legal career
Crucially, legal work experience is not limited to traditional law firm placements — even though many applicants assume it is.
What Counts as Legal Work Experience?
Legal work experience can take many forms. Law firms and recruiters usually look at the skills and exposure gained, rather than the job title alone.
Examples include:
- Law firm vacation schemes or open days
- Paralegal or legal assistant roles
- In-house legal team experience
- Pro bono work
- Legal clinics and advice centres
- Court marshalling or tribunal observation
- Legal research or writing
- Compliance, risk, or regulatory roles
If the role involves legal documents, legal processes, clients, or regulated environments, it is relevant.
Step 1: Start with Virtual Legal Work Experience
Virtual legal work experience is one of the easiest ways to build experience with no prior background.
Many organisations and law firms offer online programmes that:
- Simulate real legal tasks
- Introduce you to different practice areas
- Help you understand how lawyers think
These experiences demonstrate initiative and commercial awareness, particularly when explained well in applications.
Step 2: Get Involved in Pro Bono and Volunteering
Pro bono work is highly valued by UK law firms.
You can gain experience through:
- University law clinics
- Citizens Advice
- Community legal advice centres
- Charities offering legal or advocacy support
Even administrative or client-facing roles can provide valuable insight into legal processes, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
Step 3: Apply for Informal Work Experience
Many people overlook informal opportunities.
Consider reaching out to:
- High street law firms
- Sole practitioners
- Legal aid firms
- Chambers
A short, polite email asking for work shadowing or a few days of observation can be surprisingly effective, particularly with smaller practices.
Step 4: Use Non-Legal Roles Strategically
You do not need a legal job title to gain relevant experience.
Roles in areas such as:
- Customer service
- Administration
- Compliance
- Case handling
- Finance or business operations
can help you develop transferable skills such as client communication, organisation, and attention to detail.
The key is learning how to translate these skills into legal competencies when applying for roles.
Step 5: Create Your Own Experience
If opportunities are limited, you can still demonstrate initiative.
Ways to do this include:
- Writing legal articles or blogs
- Running or contributing to legal podcasts
- Conducting independent legal research
- Supporting student societies or legal projects
Firms value candidates who take ownership of their development rather than waiting for permission.
How to Talk About Legal Work Experience in Applications
It is not about listing everything you have done — it is about explaining what you learned.
When describing experience, focus on:
- The skills you developed
- The legal or commercial context
- What the experience confirmed about your career goals
Use clear examples and reflect on challenges, responsibilities, and outcomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for the “perfect” opportunity
- Dismissing experience that is not at a large commercial firm
- Listing tasks without reflection
- Undervaluing non-legal experience
Progress in law is rarely linear, and firms increasingly recognise this.
Final Thoughts
Getting legal work experience with no experience is challenging — but it is entirely possible.
What matters most is initiative, reflection, and consistency.
Every small step builds confidence, credibility, and clarity. If you can show that you have actively explored the profession and learned from your experiences, you are already on the right path.
For more guidance on UK legal careers, work experience, and alternative routes into law, explore TheLawyerFiles podcast and resources.
