What is work experience week?
Did you know that there are over 5000 lawyers in local government supporting and influencing our community? If you are looking for a rewarding legal career, you are in luck! A legal career in local government stands apart from the crowd – you can choose to specialise in planning, licensing, litigation, housing, childcare, adult social services laws and more. As a local government lawyer, you can find yourself working on commercial infrastructure proposals, public health issues, regeneration projects or delivering a climate change agenda! There are fantastic progression opportunities available to get you right to the top of the action.
On 30 June 2025 students just like you, across the country, will take part in the fifth LLG National Work Experience Week. You will spend your each morning of the week shadowing local government lawyers remotely (although in-person attendance could be a possibility) in a named local authority, attending a variety of meetings and undertaking work assignments. The afternoon sessions will consist of a dynamic program of webinars, animated roundtables and live workshops designed to give you a full insight into a rewarding career as a local government lawyer.
This programme is aimed at final year law students and current LPC/SQE students, as well as recent graduates. To be eligible, you must have access to a computer or tablet, internet access and a quiet place to work as this scheme will run remotely and/or on a hybrid basis.
You will be required to complete a short application form, where you will write a 500-word personal statement. You will have the option to also record a 1 minute vlog to assist your application.
Supported by an experienced legal team, you will be shadowing colleagues and encouraged to ask questions to help you understand more about legal local government work. During the work experience, you will learn what it is like to work in a local government legal department and gain an insight into specific specialities.
You will get to know local government law – values, importance and exactly what it entails – and gain an insight into actual jobs that you would be doing if you choose to pursue a career in local government.
Each day will be different. A series of webinars will take place throughout the week to give you a clear understanding of what a local government career entails but also, to improve and build on your legal skills – be it drafting, legal research or application of specific laws. There will also be opportunities to work on existing cases, projects and debates, network with legal professionals, Q&A sessions with the recruitment team, trainee talks and many more.
LLG works hard to provide you with a well-rounded overview of local government legal work. We are still building our 2025 programme, however, in the last three years, our programme has covered the following topics and areas of law:
Through working closely with legal professionals and carrying out assigned tasks, you will build on your confidence and communication skills, which are vital in the legal profession. The experience will make your CV stand out! You will have opportunities to network with the people who have been there and done that – you will have an opportunity to build new relationships and contacts, that could provide a reference, which may help you in the future. You will learn how to make a good impression, think critically, speak publicly and by the end of the week, you will be in a position of better standing and ready for those traineeship interviews!
Applications will open on 26 February 2025. Applications will close on 31 March 2025.
The link to the application form can be found below and you will be able to access this when applications open. Please email legaltalent@llg.org.uk with your completed application form (along with your vlog if you choose to record one). We look forward to receiving your application.
If you have any questions regarding the scheme, please contact legaltalent@llg.org.uk
