Whenever you order a food delivery from a mobile application like Just Eat, place a wager on a sporting event using Sky Bet, or put a Tetley tea bag into a mug while waiting for the kettle to boil, you might not realise it.
So, what do all these brands have in common? Despite being some of the UK’s most valuable brands, they are all protected by property law in some way or form. These brands work with property lawyers when purchasing warehouses and commercial property. Property laws help companies manage and hold their lands and can help settle disputes if any issues arise. However, unbeknownst to many, property law covers much more than this, from residential/commercial property transactions to covering specialist areas such as social housing, mortgage lets, and much more.
Due to this, real estate is a very sought-after area of law to get into. However, much like other law pathways, you can’t get into it overnight, and there are many things you need to know before embarking on a career in this field. If you’re interested in a career in property law, you’ve stumbled across the right article. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about this career path.
Prepare For Law School
If you ask any law graduate, they will tell you that they’d been prepping for law school long before they got their foot in the door. The steps you take to prepare may differ depending on whether you’re a secondary school student, a-level student, postgrad, or beyond. However, some of the best ways to prepare are as follows:
- Achieve excellent grades
- Join a pre-law organisation
- Research a variety of law schools
- Attend open days at your favourite schools
- Prepare for the Law Schools Admission Test (LSAT)
- Improve your soft skills
- Enrol in pre-law classes
- Ask your mentors for help and advice, and much more
Choose Your Courses Carefully
Just because law school has ended doesn’t mean you’re out of the classroom. As you rise through the ranks, you will soon discover that every day is a school day, whether you learn that one of your skill sets isn’t as polished as you thought or realise that your professional goals have changed – there is much room for learning on the job.
Fortunately, your schedule will become much more flexible after completing law school (or at least the first year). You’ll be able to enrol in programmes, short courses, and other higher education opportunities to help you curate your skills towards property law.
There are hundreds of short courses and programmes you can enrol in that can help enhance your skills to be a better property lawyer, like the Real Estate Economics and Finance online certificate course from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Browse programs about real estate economics and finance to find out how such a course can help boost your knowledge of property economics and finance. Real estate economics and finance will act as an extension of the law. This complementary knowledge can help you develop your skills to improve your chances of success as a property lawyer.
Look For Law-Related Undergraduate Internships
Unfortunately, most law firms do not offer apprenticeships for undergraduate students, except for some. So, how do you gain the practical experience your future employer will look for on your CV? The answer is to look for law-related undergraduate internships which will give you real-life experience working alongside clients and other lawyers.
Depending on your schedule, you could complete an internship part-time if you’re currently in your first year of law school or higher education. Or, if the holidays are coming up and you want to spend them wisely, you could consider interning at a law firm over the summer/winter break.
Ensure that you make the most out of this experience by researching the select law firms that offer internships. Are they reputable? Do they have a high customer satisfaction level? Do they specialise in the area of law you want to branch into?
You can find law firms that offer internship opportunities by using websites that aim to give graduates career advice; they should be able to tell you which internships are available, what firms provide internships, whom they’re aimed at, what they involve, and much more. Providing that you carry out the relevant research, you should gain valuable insight into the world of property law, which you’ll be able to demonstrate to future employers (and law schools).
Choose The Right Law School
With dozens of law schools operating in the UK, you might be torn about which ones to apply for and which to avoid.
Many students pick the highest-rated school, but many more factors must be considered. Do you want to stay close to home, move away, or even go abroad? Do they offer scholarships? Is it in an area with postgrad law job opportunities? Ensure you consider all these factors while making your final choice.