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06 January 2011 / Peter Nussey
Issue: 7447 / Categories: Features , Training & education , Profession , Technology
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Mind the gap!

Peter Nussey explains how to help bridge the gap between training & work

The move from academic challenge to pragmatic application is probably the most significant migration of a junior lawyer’s career. Having completed the training contract, the responsibility that is placed on junior lawyers can be  significant. While no longer a trainee, but still very much in training, they often face difficult legal challenges without the breadth of experience to handle them confidently.

The introduction of e-learning products, such as LexisMentor, which seeks to encourage confidence and independence in junior lawyers, frees up the fee-earner’s time by allowing junior lawyers to have ever-ready support for their decisions. The reality of this style of learning is the acceleration of junior lawyers from routine work to high value tasks, giving law firms speedier return on their investment.

It can be extremely important to a junior lawyer to see both their firm and team demonstrating commitment to their development, although clearly this is often a difficult balancing act alongside partner’s billable time. 

It is

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors announces four promotions

NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
A polished legal defence may owe more to artificial intelligence than legal merit—and creditors risk paying the price in delay and expense
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Should a conviction stand when a later ruling reveals that the law underpinning it was wrong? The answer exposes a clash between finality and justice
The Environment Agency can prosecute offences beyond environmental legislation where proceedings support its statutory functions, the Divisional Court has confirmed
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