Matt Oliver
Matt is a former FTSE 100 lawyer and accredited career coach who founded Trainee Solicitor Surgery in 2009. He’s helped over 300 aspiring solicitors secure training contracts at top UK and US firms, drawing on 10 years of legal practice and 16 years of coaching expertise.
Matt shares free, trusted advice in his articles and offers expert one-on-one coaching for those who want tailored support from someone who has been on both sides of the process.
Posts
The subject of this latest interview is Alex Kerr, a second-year law student at Sussex University. Alex talks about his legal journey so far and gives some good tips for others seeking to do the same. 1. Why did you decide to study law? When did you make the decision? I decided to study law…
Here is a series of professionally produced videos presented by Gail Porter which take an in-depth look at a career as a solicitor. The videos include a wide variety of interviews with law students, trainee solicitors, graduate recruitment personnel, assistant/associate solicitors, law firm partners, and HR personnel. The videos give a great insight into many…
Legal work experience is one of the most important things law firms look for in applications for training contracts. It demonstrates to a firm a keen interest in the law as well as providing some evidence of real-world practical experience. The more connected the work experience is with the type of firm the applicant is…
Next up in the TSS video series is a video of an interview with commercial property solicitor, Sangita Sangar, who gives a useful insight into working in commercial property. She also discusses her reasoning for moving to a smaller firm and the importance of finding your vocation.
Many people overlook the Government Legal Department (formerly the Government Legal Service) when they are deciding where to apply to for their training contracts. The third in our video series has lawyers working in various UK Government departments talking about their highlights of working for the GLD. For more information about this as a possible…
Article written by Guest Writer, Jack from All About Law According to the latest statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency there are just fewer than 90,000 law students in the UK. The majority of those will be studying English and Welsh Law. All About Law – The Law Careers Website recently took a sample…
Name – Jo (requested surname to be withheld) Current Occupation (and Title, if relevant) – Solicitor 1. Why did you decide you wanted to be a solicitor? I undertook an undergraduate law degree with a view to enrolling with the police within their accelerated graduate scheme, over the three years I considered training to be…
The subject for this latest interview is trainee solicitor Samuel Gill who is undertaking his training contract in a small firm in Manchester. Samuel reveals the very real issue of student debt and also illustrates the importance of legal work experience. He also offers some good advice to those seeking to follow in his footsteps.…
Here are some quick vacation scheme application tips around some the areas that will make the most impact with the recruiters. Build Your Vacation Scheme Applications on a Foundation of Research As with most things connected to the pursuit of a legal career, time spent at the researching stage will stand you in good stead…