Step 3: If you choose law, find areas of practice that suit you

What you would be doing day-to-day: As a solicitor, you help deals happen by arranging the debt used to pay for them. This involves drafting and negotiating complex loan agreements and security documents (often based on Loan Market Association (LMA) standard forms). Key sub-specialisms include Insolvency and Restructuring (advising companies in financial difficulties), Leveraged Finance (funding private equity buyouts), Project Finance (funding major infrastructure) and Real Estate Finance. Sometimes the financing teams run the overall deals, but often you would be working closely with corporate colleagues who would be handling the deal documentation. As a barrister, you would be instructed when things go wrong, such as handling disputes over loan terms, the enforcement of security, or insolvency litigation. You could also often be involved in larger deal teams for more complex financing deals, especially around financial difficulties.

Who your clients would be: You are always acting for a lender or a borrower. On one side, major investment banks, credit funds and other financial institutions (the lenders). On the other side, private equity sponsors and large corporations who are borrowing the money (the borrowers).

Where you could work: In the busy Banking & Finance departments of City and US law firms, in-house at major banks (in legal, compliance or even business-side roles), or as a barrister at commercial and banking law chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The work is highly transactional and deal-driven, so the hours are frequently long and demanding, especially in the intense period leading up to “signing”, or a deal's "financial close".

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Very transferable to roles within financial institutions. Lawyers often move to legal or loan execution teams within banks, to credit funds, or into restructuring roles. Many of the larger in-house legal departments of companies will also employ financing lawyers.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: The work can be seen as process-driven, with much of the negotiation happening within the established framework of LMA documents. You need to enjoy the detail of commercial negotiation and thrive in a high-pressure, transactional environment.

Key candidate characteristics: Commercially astute, resilient, enjoys negotiation, great team player and has excellent attention to detail. You need to be a safe pair of hands who can manage a complex process to a deadline.

What you would be doing day-to-day: This practice is broad. As a non-contentious solicitor, you would draft and negotiate a wide range of business contracts required for the operation of many organisations – for instance, terms and conditions, supply agreements, data licences. As a litigation solicitor, you would manage commercial disputes. In a dispute, you would instruct a barrister to provide specialist advice and to act as the advocate in court. You need to understand exactly what the relevant department does before you apply.

Who your clients would be: Businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large multinational corporations.

Where you could work: In the commercial departments of law firms of all sizes or in-house (solicitors), or at commercial law chambers (barristers).

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are generally more regular than in corporate M&A, but can be demanding when negotiating a major contract or during intense litigation.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Extremely transferable. A solid grounding in commercial law provides an excellent foundation for a wide variety of in-house legal and business roles.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need to be pragmatic, commercially aware and an excellent problem-solver, focused on finding workable solutions to facilitate business objectives.

Key candidate characteristics: Pragmatic, commercially-minded, an excellent problem-solver and a good negotiator who enjoys finding practical solutions for businesses.

What you would be doing day-to-day: As a solicitor, you'd advise on compliance, manage merger control filings with regulators like the CMA and handle the day-to-day conduct of investigations. A barrister is instructed for their specialist advocacy, representing clients in appeals against regulator decisions at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) and in court.

Who your clients would be: Large multinational corporations, particularly those in regulated industries like tech, pharma and energy.

Where you could work: At large international law firms (solicitors), the CMA, or at specialist competition law chambers (barristers).

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours can be long and unpredictable, particularly during major merger investigations or dawn raids by regulators.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The unique combination of law and economics makes these skills highly sought after. A move into economic consulting, strategy, or other regulatory roles is a well-trodden path.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: A strong interest in economics and business strategy is essential. The work is intellectually demanding, often involving complex analysis of markets.

Key candidate characteristics: A strong and demonstrable interest in economics and business strategy, highly analytical and enjoys intellectually demanding, complex problems.

What you would be doing day-to-day: This is an overwhelmingly solicitor-led field. You would manage huge transactions like mergers and acquisitions (M&A), draft extensive documentation and coordinate teams of lawyers. You may also be advising clients on their commercial questions. The role of a barrister is more niche, providing expert opinions on highly complex points of company law or representing clients in the rare instances of corporate litigation.

Who your clients would be: Large public and private companies, investment banks and private equity firms.

Where you could work: Predominantly in the corporate departments of large City and international law firms or specialist company law chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are famously long and demanding, especially when a deal is approaching completion. All-nighters are common for solicitors.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Very transferable to the world of business and finance. Many corporate solicitors move into investment banking, private equity, or in-house M&A roles. Those with broad corporate experience may end up as the General Counsel of an organisation.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need to be commercially astute, highly resilient and able to work well under intense pressure.

Key candidate characteristics: High commercial awareness, strong stamina and resilience, excellent teamwork skills and an enjoyment of high-stakes, project-based work.

What you would be doing day-to-day: The roles are distinct but intertwined. Solicitors advise clients at the police station, manage case files and often perform advocacy in the Magistrates' Court. Barristers are the specialist advocates for more serious matters, conducting trials in the Crown Court and appearing in the Court of Appeal, either for the defence or for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Who your clients would be: As a defence lawyer, individuals accused of criminal offences. As a prosecutor, your client is the Crown (via the CPS).

Where you could work: At criminal defence firms (solicitors), the CPS (solicitors and barristers), or as a self-employed barrister in criminal chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are notoriously long and unsociable for both professions, often involving out-of-hours work and high levels of pressure.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The advocacy and case management skills are excellent, but the work is very specialised. Movement to regulatory law is a possible route or to a broader litigation practice.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: The work is incredibly demanding and can be emotionally draining. You need to be resilient and able to handle high-pressure situations. Legal aid funding is a major challenge for the profession.

Key candidate characteristics: Personal resilience, calm under pressure, quick-thinking, strong advocacy skills and a commitment to access to justice.

What you would be doing day-to-day: Solicitors advise clients (employers or employees) daily, negotiate settlements, draft contracts and prepare cases for tribunal. When a case proceeds to a final hearing, a specialist barrister is often instructed to provide the advocacy in the Employment Tribunal or higher courts. In the larger firms, solicitors would also be adding specialist advice to transactions led by the corporate teams.

Who your clients would be: Employers (from small businesses to large corporations) or individuals seeking advice for claims against heir employer.

Where you could work: In the employment teams of law firms or in-house in larger organisations, for trade unions, or at employment law chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are often more regular than in corporate law, but can be demanding for both professions when preparing for a tribunal hearing.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Very transferable. A strong understanding of employment law is highly valuable in HR and certain management roles.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: The law changes frequently, so you need to keep up to date. The work is very people-focused and can be confrontational. In transactions, you are unlikely to be leading the deal.

Key candidate characteristics: People-focused, pragmatic, strong negotiation skills and enjoys advising on practical, real-world problems.

What you would be doing day-to-day: Solicitors typically advise corporate clients on regulatory compliance, handle the environmental aspects of transactions and manage planning applications for environmentally sensitive projects. Barristers are instructed to represent clients in environmental litigation, such as judicial reviews of planning decisions, nuisance claims, or prosecutions by the Environment Agency.

Who your clients would be: Corporations, public bodies and environmental charities or campaign groups.

Where you could work: In specialist environmental teams of large law firms, for the Environment Agency, in the larger charities or at planning and environmental law chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours can be demanding, particularly when working on large projects with tight deadlines or during litigation, but you are generally in a supporting role in transactions.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Expertise in this growing area is highly sought after. Skills are transferable to roles in policy, compliance and sustainability consulting.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need a genuine passion for environmental issues and a strong grasp of complex scientific and technical concepts. Your work is highly dependent on a moving body of law and regulation. A certain pragmatism and neutrality is required, as you are as likely to be finding loopholes or minimum required standards as ensuring best practice is followed.

Key candidate characteristics: A willingness to be immersed in ever changing regulatory detail, pragmatism, a genuine and demonstrable passion for environmental issues, the ability to grasp scientific concepts and strong analytical skills.

What you would be doing day-to-day: Unlike the transactional nature of many legal roles, your day is shaped by human crisis. You'll be a direct adviser to individuals navigating divorce, child arrangements, or domestic abuse. As a solicitor, expect less document review and more time spent in emotionally charged client meetings, providing immediate, practical advice and negotiating sensitive personal outcomes. A barrister’s focus is pure advocacy, with your days spent in court on intense, emotionally-driven cases, often with limited preparation time, requiring you to think on your feet about deeply personal issues.

Who your clients would be: Your clients are not corporations; they are individuals at their most vulnerable. This direct personal contact is constant and defines the role. You will be their primary guide through a life-altering event, making the solicitor-client and even the barrister’s relationship far more personal and intense than in most other legal fields.

Where you could work: Solicitors will typically work in high-street, regional, or national law firms with specialist family departments, or in the increasing number of niche firms, often more focused on individual client service than the large commercial firms. Barristers will be in chambers, but your 'office' is the Family Court. The atmosphere here is different from other courts; it's often less formal, more collaborative in seeking a solution and requires a less aggressive advocacy style, with the child's welfare being the paramount consideration in many cases.

What sort of hours you should expect: While hours can be long, the pressure is different. It's less about all-night document reviews for a corporate deadline and more about responding to urgent client crises, such as a child safeguarding issue or the need for an emergency protective injunction, which can arise at any time.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The solicitor’s skills are exceptionally transferable to people-focused roles, in careers such as therapy, social work, HR and alternative dispute resolution, offering a broader exit path than more technical, less personal areas of law. While the subject matter is specific, the barrister’s core abilities to persuade, analyse human behaviour and perform under pressure are directly transferable to judicial roles, mediation, arbitration, or any high-stakes advisory role.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: Family law requires immense emotional resilience, more so than almost any other legal discipline. You will be constantly exposed to conflict and distress. You must be able to empathise deeply while maintaining professional boundaries, a balancing act that is the core challenge and, for the right person, the unique reward of this field. It requires a unique combination of robust compassion, the ability to distil complex human stories into legal arguments and the resilience to move from one intense case to the next.

Key candidate characteristics: High emotional intelligence, empathetic, discreet and possessing excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

What you would be doing day-to-day: Most government lawyers are employed solicitors and barristers within the Government Legal Department. They advise departments on policy, help draft legislation and manage litigation. The government is also a major client of the independent Bar, instructing self-employed barristers to act as their advocates in court on almost every conceivable legal issue. Local government also has many roles for employed lawyers.

Who your clients would be: Your client is the government (or local government) of the day.

Where you could work: For the GLD or other public bodies. For self-employed barristers, this work comes from being on specialist panels that the government uses to procure legal advice.

What sort of hours you should expect: Generally, government work offers a better work-life balance than private practice. However, hours can be long when working on urgent, high-profile litigation or during a national crisis.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Highly transferable. Experience in public law and litigation is valued across the public and private sectors.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need a strong interest in public affairs and must be able to provide impartial legal advice, regardless of your personal political views.

Key candidate characteristics: Intellectual curiosity, impartiality and the ability to see the bigger picture, alongside a strong interest in public affairs and policy.

What you would be doing day-to-day: Solicitors work directly with clients, building cases for judicial review, preparing asylum claims and gathering the evidence needed to prove a breach of rights. Barristers are the advocates who argue these cases in court, from the High Court up to the Supreme Court and beyond. Human rights work straddles the domestic and international, the individual and the state, and can be as broad as fighting for housing for the homeless or for access to justice after international war crimes.

Who your clients would be: Individuals or groups whose rights have been infringed, refugees, asylum seekers, charities and NGOs.

Where you could work: At specialist human rights firms or legal aid practices or at leading public law and human rights chambers. Also, for charities and NGOs.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are often manageable, but due to the significant need for this advice, alongside limited resources, they can be long and are often dictated by urgent court deadlines, particularly in cases involving detention or deportation.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The advocacy and public law knowledge are highly respected and transferable to other areas of litigation and policy work in the UK and overseas.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: This is a highly competitive and often emotionally demanding area. A drive for social justice is essential, as financial rewards can be lower than in commercial law.

Key candidate characteristics: Resilience, strong research and advocacy skills and tenacity, coupled with a deep and demonstrable commitment to social justice.

What you would be doing day-to-day: This is a highly specialised and regulatory-driven field. As a solicitor, your main role is in "fund formation" – helping asset managers launch new investment funds. This involves drafting key documents like prospectuses and partnership agreements, structuring the fund to be tax-efficient and navigating complex financial regulations (such as AIFMD and UCITS in the UK/EU). You also advise on the ongoing life of the fund. The role for a barrister is more niche, instructed for expert opinions on complex regulatory points or to handle litigation if a dispute arises between investors or over the fund's management.

Who your clients would be: Sophisticated financial players, including major asset managers, institutional investors, pension funds, hedge fund managers and the private equity houses setting up their new funds. Their motivation is generally, purely financial.

Where you could work: Solicitors work in the specialist funds departments of large City and US law firms, in-house at asset management companies, or for regulators like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Barristers would be in commercial or chancery chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The work can be cyclical. Hours are intense and long during a fund launch or a major closing date for investment, but can be more predictable during the fund's quieter operational periods compared to pure M&A.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Very transferable within the financial ecosystem. Lawyers from this area are highly sought after for legal and compliance roles within asset management firms and other financial institutions.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: The work is technical and often document-heavy, requiring a strong understanding of financial regulations rather than traditional legal principles. It is less about adversarial law and more about structuring and project management.

Key candidate characteristics: Meticulous attention to detail, highly organised and possessing strong project management skills. You must enjoy technical and regulatory complexity.

What you would be doing day-to-day: This is a hybrid field blending IP, regulatory and corporate law. As a solicitor, you would draft complex agreements for drug development, clinical trials and technology licensing. You would also advise on regulatory hurdles with drug approval bodies and handle the IP aspects of major corporate transactions in that sector. A barrister in this field is a specialist, typically instructed for high-stakes patent litigation concerning blockbuster drugs or for judicial reviews of regulatory decisions.

Who your clients would be: A broad range from university spin-outs and biotech start-ups to "Big Pharma" multinational corporations, as well as medical device manufacturers and research institutions. The motivations of your clients may differ significantly.

Where you could work: In the specialist life sciences or IP departments of large international law firms (solicitors), in-house at pharmaceutical or biotech companies, or at specialist IP chambers for barristers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours can be demanding and are often driven by the long, high-stakes timelines of drug development, clinical trials, or major corporate transactions and litigation.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Highly transferable. Expertise in this sector is sought after for in-house legal roles, as well as for positions in business development, strategy and compliance within life sciences companies.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: The science is as important as the law. You must have a genuine interest in biology, chemistry and medicine to understand your clients' products and the regulatory landscape.

Key candidate characteristics: A strong, demonstrable interest in science and healthcare, excellent analytical skills, the ability to understand complex technical information and high commercial awareness.

What you would be doing day-to-day: A clear divide exists. Solicitors manage clinical negligence claims from start to finish, gathering evidence, liaising with clients and experts and negotiating settlements. Barristers are the specialist advocates instructed for their expertise in court, representing claimants or healthcare trusts at trial and at inquests.

Who your clients would be: Individuals who have suffered harm, or NHS Trusts and medical defence organisations representing doctors and hospitals.

Where you could work: In specialist clinical negligence departments of law firms, for the NHS Resolution, or at specialist clinical negligence and personal injury chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: Generally regular, but can be demanding for both solicitors and barristers when preparing for trial.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The litigation skills are transferable. The specific medical knowledge can lead to roles in healthcare regulation and policy.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need a strong interest in medicine and the ability to handle emotionally sensitive cases. The work requires meticulous attention to detail.

Key candidate characteristics: A strong interest in medical and ethical issues, highly analytical, meticulous with detail, personal resilience and empathy.

What you would be doing day-to-day: As a solicitor, you would be a trusted adviser, building long-term client relationships while drafting wills and trusts, managing estates and planning for inheritance tax. You will be helping your clients to navigate complex personal relationships. You may also be guiding your clients towards the right advice on real estate, divorce and employment matters. As a barrister, you would handle contentious matters, such as disputes over the validity of a will or trust litigation in the High Court.

Who your clients would be: High-net-worth individuals, families and trustees.

Where you could work: In private client departments of law firms or trust companies, or at traditional chancery law chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are generally more regular and predictable than in many commercial areas, often allowing for a better work-life balance.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The interpersonal and advisory skills are highly transferable to roles in wealth management, financial planning and the charity sector.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need to be empathetic, discreet and an excellent relationship-builder. The work is less adversarial than many other fields, particularly for solicitors.

Key candidate characteristics: High emotional intelligence, empathetic, discreet and possessing excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

What you would be doing day-to-day: This is a fast-paced, transactional area of corporate law. As a solicitor, you would exclusively represent private equity funds on their investments. This could involve conducting rapid and intense due diligence on a target company, negotiating the terms of a leveraged buyout (LBO) and drafting the complex web of documents needed to close the deal, or could equally involve sale of a fund’s assets. The role of a barrister is very rare but they might be instructed on shareholder disputes or issues of company law arising post-acquisition.

Who your clients would be: Your clients are sophisticated, demanding and highly commercial private equity funds, ranging from mid-market funds to global mega-funds like Blackstone or KKR. Their motivation is generally, purely financial.

Where you could work: This work is concentrated in the specialist private equity teams of a small number of elite US and UK law firms in London and within the legal departments of the funds themselves. It is almost exclusively a solicitor's field.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are among the most demanding in the legal profession. The work is intense, with deals running on extremely tight timelines and all-nighters or working through weekends are very common to get a deal done.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Extremely transferable to other high-finance roles. Lawyers frequently move from private equity law firms to roles within the private equity funds themselves, or into investment banking.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: This is one of the most competitive and high-pressure fields. You need exceptional stamina and resilience, alongside a deep understanding of debt finance and corporate structuring. The work is purely transactional.

Key candidate characteristics: Very high levels of commercial acumen, resilience and drive. You must be numerate, thrive under pressure and be able to work long hours as part of a close-knit team on high-stakes deals.

What you would be doing day-to-day: This is a heavily solicitor-led field, focused on managing high-value property transactions from start to finish. This includes due diligence, negotiating purchase and development contracts and handling development finance. A barrister is instructed only when things go wrong, for example, to handle court disputes over boundaries, contracts, or complex planning issues. In the larger firms, you would also be adding specialist advice to transactions led by the corporate teams.

Who your clients would be: Property developers, institutional investors, large corporations with significant property portfolios and public sector bodies.

Where you could work: In the real estate departments of law firms or in-house in private and public companies and in the public sector, or at property and planning law chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are transaction-driven and can be long and intense towards the completion of a deal, but broadly offer a better work-life balance.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: The commercial and project management skills are transferable, but the technical legal knowledge is quite specific.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You need to be highly organised and able to manage multiple complex processes at once. An interest in the commercial drivers of the property market is essential.

Key candidate characteristics: Highly organised, excellent project management skills, pragmatic and able to handle multiple deadlines and processes simultaneously.

What you would be doing day‑to‑day: This is not a field of law unto itself. Instead, it has developed by solicitors advising on a wide range of conventional legal issues as they arise in a sporting context. This can include drafting and negotiating commercial contracts (such as sponsorship, broadcasting and licensing agreements), advising on employment and immigration matters for players and coaching staff, handling regulatory and disciplinary matters, and resolving disputes through arbitration or litigation. Barristers are typically instructed in disputes before sports governing bodies, or the courts, including contractual disputes, disciplinary appeals and competition law challenges.

Who your clients would be: Professional sports clubs, governing bodies, leagues, athletes, agents, sponsors, broadcasters and investors. Clients may range from elite international organisations to individual athletes or emerging sports businesses.

Where you could work: Within the sports practice of a commercial law firm, at specialist sports law boutiques, in‑house for clubs or governing bodies, at regulatory bodies, or at chambers with strong commercial, employment or competition law practices and a sports‑focused client base.

What sort of hours you should expect: Hours can be unpredictable and demanding, particularly around competitions, transfer windows or disciplinary proceedings. While some work resembles standard commercial practice, client expectations and media scrutiny can add time pressure, and urgent instructions are common.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs:
Highly transferable. Sports law relies heavily on mainstream legal skills — particularly in contract, employment, competition and dispute resolution — which readily translate into other commercial sectors. Sector experience is also valuable for roles in governance, compliance, media, and the wider entertainment industry.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: Sports law is not usually an entry‑level specialism and roles are limited and competitive. Much of the work is legally conventional, despite the high‑profile nature of the sector, and junior lawyers may do similar work to colleagues in broader commercial teams. A genuine interest in the sports industry matters more than enthusiasm for doctrine, and reputational and regulatory sensitivity is a constant feature of the work.

Key candidate characteristics: Strong core commercial legal skills, a demonstrable interest in sport as business and its regulatory environment, resilience under pressure, good judgment in reputationally sensitive matters, and an understanding that this is a sector‑driven practice rather than a distinct body of law.

What you would be doing day-to-day: As a solicitor, you'd be at the cutting edge of business, drafting and negotiating software licences, advising on data protection (GDPR) and managing IP portfolios. You’d also be in the centre of the developments of AI, the ethical and regulatory debates and one of the fastest growing economic sectors. As a barrister, you would handle the litigation, arguing patent, copyright or major technology disputes in court and be advising on likely legal interpretation in this fast-moving field.

Who your clients would be: A diverse range, from tech start-ups to multinational companies, as well as businesses in other sectors requiring advice on their technology and data assets.

Where you could work: In the tech/commercial departments of law firms or in-house or at specialist IP and technology chambers.

What sort of hours you should expect: Generally more predictable than M&A, but can still be demanding when advising on large projects, data breaches, or urgent litigation.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Extremely transferable. Expertise in technology and data is highly sought after across all industries, creating a wide range of legal and commercial roles for the right person.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: A genuine interest in technology is a must. The legal and regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, so you must be a quick and continuous learner and you should really enjoy getting to grips with the commercial opportunities the technology presents.

Key candidate characteristics: A demonstrable and genuine interest in technology, strong commercial awareness, adaptability and an enjoyment of fast-paced environments.

What you would be doing day-to-day: Your role is highly technical. As a solicitor, you would primarily handle the tax aspects of major corporate deals, structuring them to be efficient and drafting the relevant documents. As a specialist barrister, you would be instructed for expert opinions on complex points of law or to handle litigation against HMRC in the Tax Tribunal.

Who your clients would be: Large corporations, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

Where you could work: In law firms or accountancy firms, specialist tax chambers, or in-house at major corporations and for HMRC. Both solicitors and barristers are welcomed in these other organisations.

What sort of hours you should expect: The hours are often long and dictated by the demands of corporate transactions, particularly in private practice for both solicitors and barristers, but as the specialist adviser, the crazy hours are more predictable and not as constant in some other disciplines.

How transferable is this practice area to other jobs: Highly transferable within finance, HMRC and in-house tax departments of major corporations. A deep understanding of tax law opens doors to roles in banking, accountancy and corporate strategy.

What you should bear in mind before you pursue this area of law: You must have a strong aptitude for complex, technical detail. The work is intellectually challenging and can be less client-facing than other areas, especially at the Bar. You are rarely in charge of the deal, but play a critical supporting role.

Key candidate characteristics: Highly analytical, meticulous attention to detail, strong numeracy skills and an enjoyment of deep, technical problem-solving.