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It is essential with any degree to gain work experience outside of studying not only for your CV, but to build up confidence in yourself and your abilities. It is also a great way to show your passion to prospective employers while networking and meeting new people within the legal sector.
By Editorial Team. Published 20 July 2022. Last updated 23 October 2026.
It can be daunting trying to figure out how to find work experience in the legal field but we have experts in that here at ULaw. Our Director of Employability, John Watkins, has shared his top ways to gain legal experience while studying. Legal experience can include internships, mini-pupillages, pro bono work, paralegal roles, court visits, law firm open days, legal technology projects and mooting.
In-person and virtual internships
A key way to develop skills during your studies is by taking up an internship at a firm or business in-person or online. Internships can help you understand how a legal or professional organisation works while developing transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research and time management.
John Watkins explains: “Employers will give you project work/tasks to complete over a period of time and you may have regular catch-ups and support from the employer during your internship.
“Depending on the sector and nature of the role, you may not be able to undertake all the elements of a real internship, due to client-patient confidentiality. However, you will still be able to experience some of the work of a trainee and the function of the business.”
Indeed and Rate My Placement advertise a variety of in-person and virtual internships. It’s important to take your time choosing the right one for you and ask for guidance from the Employability Team with your application if you need to.
Mini-pupillages
Mini-pupillages allow you to gain experience by shadowing barristers in chambers.For students considering the Bar, this can provide first-hand insight into chambers, advocacy and the day-to-day work of barristers. Visit Pullpilage Gateway to look at current opportunities, you can also find information on individual chambers websites.
In addition, there are organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service and various advisory services employ legal caseworkers.
Pro bono
Pro bono work can help you apply legal knowledge to real issues while developing client-facing, research and problem-solving experience. It's also an invaluable way of gaining experience and being involved in cases. ULaw has over 3,000 pro bono opportunities available each year, covering areas such as family law, employment law, crime and welfare.
Paralegal
Because paralegal work can involve tasks similar to those carried out by trainees or newly qualified solicitors, it can provide useful insight into legal practice and help you build evidence of practical skills. It is also sometimes used as preparation for qualifying as a solicitor, as the work often mirrors that of a trainee or recently qualified solicitor. You can apply for paralegal work through an agency or directly with a firm.
A few more ways to broaden your experience outside studying is by going to court visits, most courts allow public spectators to watch which is extremely interesting and allows you to see what happens within a courtroom. There are also firm open days which are a great way of networking and building relations. Visit Law Careers Net for a list of open days at law firms and insight schemes.
Build your commercial awareness
John Watkins describes commercial awareness as “having a good understanding of an organisation/company, how it works, how it makes a profit, its client, objectives, services, products and the industry in which it sits as well as understanding how current news can impact the sector. You should have an overview of what’s going on in the market sector - are there legal or regulatory changes on the way, or does the economic situation have a larger-than-usual impact?”
You can read more about building commercial awareness by visiting Skills You Need.
Legal technology and AI projects
The legal profession is increasingly using automation tools, legal technology and AI-assisted research platforms.
Students can:
- Learn the basics of all AI platforms.
- Join student-led innovation societies.
- Explore how AI is being used for tasks such as legal research, document review and contract analysis.
- Participate in legal technology challenges and hackathons.
Gaining experience in these areas can help you to stand out among other candidates and demonstrate commercial awareness. These projects can be especially useful for showing that you understand how technology is changing legal work as well as demonstrating practical digital skills. When you describe these experiences in your CV remember to focus on all the skills you have learned such as digital literacy, problem-solving, research and project management.
Mooting and mock trials
Mooting and mock trials can also help you practise legal research, structured argument and advocacy in a setting that reflects skills used in legal practice. You will be arguing your legal case in front of a judge or panel. You will need to research legal authorities, prepare written arguments and present your oral submissions. These exercises will help you build confidence in public speaking while working as part of a legal team. There are many internal competitions that you can join, you can also participate in regional and national mooting events.
Gaining experience is invaluable and although it may seem a bit overwhelming at first it will become easier with practice. It is also a great way to network and make friends in the legal sector. Whatever type of experience you gain, reflect on the tasks you completed and the skills you developed so you can explain their value clearly in future applications and interviews.
To discover more about the legal experience opportunities open to you, contact our Employability Team.
