Career paths and choices in a highly differentiated profession: the position of newly qualified solicitors

Boon, A., Duff, L. and Shiner, M. 2001. Career paths and choices in a highly differentiated profession: the position of newly qualified solicitors. Modern Law Review. 64 (4), pp. 563-594. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.00339

TitleCareer paths and choices in a highly differentiated profession: the position of newly qualified solicitors
AuthorsBoon, A., Duff, L. and Shiner, M.
Abstract

Differences in the working lives of solicitors have become increasingly marked in recent years. Growing numbers of lawyers are employed in the public and corporate sectors and, with the increasing size and wealth of City of London commercial firms, there are significant differences between these firms and those 'high-street' firms that serve local communities. These differences impact on lawyers throughout training and beyond, both in terms of rites of passage into the profession and in conditions of employment. This research, the final stage in a longitudinal survey spanning the 1990s, combines quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the reactions of newly qualified solicitors to their work. Building on the project's previous surveys, which charted the nature of disadvantage suffered by many prospective entrants to the legal profession, the research finds a large measure of satisfaction regarding careers. It also identifies causes for concern, including increasing specialisation in legal education and the potential separation of the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards of professional practice.

JournalModern Law Review
Journal citation64 (4), pp. 563-594
ISSN0026-7961
YearJul 2001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.00339
Publication dates
PublishedJul 2001

Related outputs

‘Trusted to the ends of the earth?’ An Analysis of Solicitors’ Disciplinary Processes in England and Wales from 1994 to 2015
Whyte, A. and Boon, A. 2024. ‘Trusted to the ends of the earth?’ An Analysis of Solicitors’ Disciplinary Processes in England and Wales from 1994 to 2015. in: Chan, K-W., McMorrow, J.A. and Sherr, A. (ed.) Regulating Lawyers Through Disciplinary Systems Routledge. pp. 129-157

Gender and the legal academy in the UK: a product of proxies and hiring and promotion practices
Duff, L. and Webley, L. 2021. Gender and the legal academy in the UK: a product of proxies and hiring and promotion practices. in: Auchmuty, R.S., Ulrike Schultz, U., Shaw, G. and Thornton, M. (ed.) Gender and Careers in the Legal Academy UK Hart Publishing.

Diversity and Inclusion As the Key to Innovating Talent Management in Law Firms?
Webley, L. and Duff, L. 2016. Diversity and Inclusion As the Key to Innovating Talent Management in Law Firms? in: Mottershead, T. (ed.) Innovating Talent Management in Law Firms National Association for Law Placement. pp. 235-254

Access to a Career in the Legal Profession in England and Wales: Race, Class, and the Role of Educational Background
Webley, L., Tomlinson, J., Muzio, D., Sommerlad, H. and Duff, L. 2016. Access to a Career in the Legal Profession in England and Wales: Race, Class, and the Role of Educational Background. in: Headworth, S., Nelson, R.L., Dinovitzer, R. and Wilkins, D.B. (ed.) Diversity In Practice: Race, Gender, and Class in Legal and Professional Careers Cambridge Cambridge University Press. pp. 198-225

The disciplinary processes of the legal profession
Boon, A., Whyte, A. and Sherr, A. 2013. The disciplinary processes of the legal profession. London University of Westminster Law Press.

Structure, agency and the career strategies of women and BME individuals in the legal profession
Tomlinson, J., Muzio, D., Sommerlad, H., Webley, L. and Duff, L. 2013. Structure, agency and the career strategies of women and BME individuals in the legal profession. Human Relations. 66 (2), pp. 245-269. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726712460556

Icarus falls: the coal health scandal
Boon, A. and Whyte, A. 2012. Icarus falls: the coal health scandal. Legal Ethics. 15 (2), pp. 277-313. https://doi.org/10.5235/LE.15.2.277

What difference does it make? Facilitative judicial mediation of discrimination cases in employment tribunals
Boon, A., Urwin, P.J. and Karuk, V. 2011. What difference does it make? Facilitative judicial mediation of discrimination cases in employment tribunals. Industrial Law Journal. 40 (1), pp. 45-81. https://doi.org/10.1093/indlaw/dwq030

Professionalism under the Legal Services Act 2007
Boon, A. 2011. Professionalism under the Legal Services Act 2007. International Journal of the Legal Profession. 17 (3), pp. 195-232.

Diversity in the legal profession in England and Wales: A qualitative study of barriers and individual choices
Sommerlad, H., Webley, L., Duff, L., Muzio, D., Tomlinson, J. and Parnham, R. 2010. Diversity in the legal profession in England and Wales: A qualitative study of barriers and individual choices. London Legal Services Board.

The legal professions as stakeholders in the academy in England and Wales
Boon, A. and Webb, J. 2010. The legal professions as stakeholders in the academy in England and Wales. in: Cownie, F. (ed.) Stakeholders in the law school Oxford Hart. pp. 65-96

Will there be blood? Students as stakeholders in the legal academy
Boon, A. and Whyte, A. 2010. Will there be blood? Students as stakeholders in the legal academy. in: Cownie, F. (ed.) Stakeholders in the law school Oxford Hart. pp. 185-224

Evaluating the use of judicial mediation in employment tribunals: processes, outcomes and costs
Urwin, P.J., Chevalier, P.A., Karuk, V., Latreille, P., Michielsens, E., Page, L., Siara, B., Speckesser, S. and Boon, A. 2009. Evaluating the use of judicial mediation in employment tribunals: processes, outcomes and costs. Commissioned by the Ministry of Justice.

Division G: "relationships with others"
Boon, A. 2009. Division G: "relationships with others". in: Marks, A. (ed.) Cordery on Solicitors. 9th edition London LexisNexis. pp. G1-G89

The next generation of legal aid solicitors: the LSC’s Training Grants Scheme
Bacquet, S., Boon, A., Webley, L. and Whyte, A. 2009. The next generation of legal aid solicitors: the LSC’s Training Grants Scheme. in: Buck, A. (ed.) Reaching further: innovation, access and quality in legal services : papers from the Legal Services Research Centre's seventh international research conference, Reaching further, Royal Naval Academy in Greenwich, London, 18th to 20th June 2008 London Stationary Office. pp. 143-165

Legal education and training in England and Wales: back to the future
Boon, A. and Webb, J. 2008. Legal education and training in England and Wales: back to the future. Journal of Legal Education. 58 (1), pp. 79-121.

Evaluation of the Legal Service Commission's Training Contract Grant Scheme
Bacquet, S., Boon, A., Webley, L. and Whyte, A. 2008. Evaluation of the Legal Service Commission's Training Contract Grant Scheme. Legal Services Commission.

The ethics and conduct of lawyers in England and Wales. 2nd edition
Boon, A. and Levin, J. 2008. The ethics and conduct of lawyers in England and Wales. 2nd edition. Oxford Hart.

Regulating mediators?
Boon, A., Earle, R. and Whyte, A. 2007. Regulating mediators? Legal Ethics. 10 (1), pp. 26-50.

Looking back: analysing experiences of legal education and training
Boon, A. and Whyte, A. 2007. Looking back: analysing experiences of legal education and training. Law Teacher. 41 (2), pp. 169-190.

Women solicitors as a barometer for problems within the legal profession: time to put values before profits?
Webley, L. and Duff, L. 2007. Women solicitors as a barometer for problems within the legal profession: time to put values before profits? Journal of Law and Society. 34 (3), pp. 374-402. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6478.2007.00397.x

Special advocacy: political expediency and legal roles in modern judicial systems
Nash, S. and Boon, A. 2006. Special advocacy: political expediency and legal roles in modern judicial systems. Legal Ethics. 9 (1), pp. 101-124.

Postmodern professions? The fragmentation of legal education and the legal profession
Boon, A., Flood, J. and Webb, J. 2005. Postmodern professions? The fragmentation of legal education and the legal profession. Journal of Law and Society. 32 (3), pp. 473-492. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6478.2005.00333.x

From public service to service industry: the impact of socialisation and work on the motivation and values of lawyers
Boon, A. 2005. From public service to service industry: the impact of socialisation and work on the motivation and values of lawyers. International Journal of the Legal Profession. 12 (2), pp. 229-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/09695950500226599

Cause lawyers and the alternative ethical paradigm: ideology and transgression
Boon, A. 2005. Cause lawyers and the alternative ethical paradigm: ideology and transgression. Legal Ethics. 7 (2), pp. 251-268.

The formalisation of research ethics
Boon, A. 2005. The formalisation of research ethics. in: Banakar, R. and Travers, M. (ed.) Theory and method in socio-legal research Oxford, UK Hart. pp. 301-326

Alternative dispute resolution: a mapping exercise on accreditation schemes
Boon, A. and Whyte, A. 2004. Alternative dispute resolution: a mapping exercise on accreditation schemes. London, UK University of Westminster.

Equality and diversity: women solicitors research study 48
Duff, L. and Webley, L. 2004. Equality and diversity: women solicitors research study 48. London, UK Law Society.

Ethics in legal education and training: four reports, three jurisdictions and a prospectus
Boon, A. 2002. Ethics in legal education and training: four reports, three jurisdictions and a prospectus. Legal Ethics. 5 (1), pp. 34-67.

Cause lawyers in a cold climate: the impact(s) of globalization on the United Kingdom
Boon, A. 2001. Cause lawyers in a cold climate: the impact(s) of globalization on the United Kingdom. in: Sarat, A. and Scheingold, S. (ed.) Cause lawyering and the state in a global era Oxford, UK Oxford University Press. pp. 143-184

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/93z64/career-paths-and-choices-in-a-highly-differentiated-profession-the-position-of-newly-qualified-solicitors


Share this

Usage statistics

164 total views
0 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.