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LAW FIRM DEFENDS LPC-REQUIREMENT FOR RECEPTIONIST ROLE

By Bradley Fountain-Green on Jul 21 2023 2:14pm

11


Sign of the times?



A law firm has raised eyebrows after posting a job ad for a receptionist
position with the requirement that applicants must have completed the Legal
Practice Course (LPC).

The ad, shared to LinkedIn by Woking outfit TP Legal Solicitors, seeks a
“receptionist and trainee paralegal” who can “demonstrate a desire to become a
conveyancing person paralegal”.

TP Legal uploaded the advertisement to LinkedIn

But those hoping to land themselves this “entry-level” position will need have
completed the LPC — the final stage of vocational training for those seeking to
qualify as a solicitor — within the last two year, according to the ad which was
first spotted by RollOnFriday.

Is the bar to the legal profession now so high that even law firm receptionists
require legal qualifications?

Defending the LPC requirement, managing partner Tariq Phillips told Legal Cheek
that “by starting at the receptionist level, candidates can gain valuable
insights into the inner workings of the firm, which can be advantageous in their
future roles”.

Whilst acknowledging the “increasing competition” law graduates now face getting
their foot in the door, Phillips said that this approach to recruitment had been
an “integral part of the firm’s business model for years”. It would be an error
to “dismiss firms’ initiatives to create opportunities” for graduates, “even if
the requirements might seem unconventional”.

Unfortunately, the position has now been filled. Sorry LPC grads!

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LPC Paralegal Solicitors


11 COMMENTS


RYAN

Jul 21 2023 7:49pm

Might keep an eye on this, have always wanted to be a conveyancing person
paralegal.

Reply Report comment
(30)(1)


TIRED LPC GRAD

Jul 22 2023 7:27am

Cheap labour at the expense of ‘experience’ and low wages. That’s what the legal
profession has become. If these hiring practices go unchecked, expect the life
cycle of legal professionals to be even lower. They are digging their own grave.

The actual audacity of this firm to position this as an ‘opportunity’ is a joke.

Reply Report comment
(46)(2)


COMMERCIAL/CHANCERY PUPIL

Jul 22 2023 9:24am

Absolutely ridiculous. Pathetic. Before you know it, you’ll need to have been
qualified for five years.

Reply Report comment
(30)(1)


SOURLEMON

Jul 22 2023 10:12am

All support staff and roles are invaluable to the firm, there’s no dispute over
that. However, saying that receptionist gain “valuable insight into the inner
workings of the firm” and further claim that this would or COULD somehow be
advantageous in any legal role is, as a minimum, dishonest in my opinion.
Unless, Mr Phillips really values the firm’s future trainees knowledge of who
nevers pick up their calls or how many copies of X you need to make… it’s great
that a law graduate got a job but I don’t see how anyone would “prove
themselves” for a TC in a such a role. I truly feel sorry for all law students
and graduates, they are in for a very bumpy ride if this is what our profession
has come to..

Reply Report comment
(25)(1)


ALEX

Jul 23 2023 7:46pm

It’s not dishonest, it’s perfectly true. You’ll learn how to deal with difficult
clients, talk to court, handle solicitors, manage diaries. I remember once a
pupil who we appointed; we couldn’t get a cigarette paper between them and the
other top candidate, and the fact that the first one had spent 6 months as a
clerk in another set clinched it for them

Reply Report comment
(2)(6)


SOURLEMON

Jul 23 2023 11:18pm

There is a big difference between experience and an opportunity to qualify. This
firm seem to suggest that starting as a receptionist, a law graduate will gain
experience that the firm would/could later recognise and deem worthy for a
promotion and a TC. This is quite different from simply saying we’ll give you
whatever experience/ at a lowest grade and it’s then up to you to pitch it as
relevant to another firm. I’m sure you see the difference. I do not dispute that
all/any experience might be the winning point further down the line when
applying elsewhere against someone who has fewer positions in their resume. But
to say that this firm is not abusing the desperation of law graduates by making
dubious promises and claims is a bit naive.

Reply Report comment
(4)(0)


ALEX

Jul 22 2023 12:10pm

Perfectly good idea

Reply Report comment
(2)(6)


ANONYMOUS

Jul 23 2023 4:55am

Some selfish people that have made it to the top of this profession, are trying
to make things hard for new incoming people. This is discouraging, this Firm
should be striked off the registar. They are selfish people.

Reply Report comment
(22)(4)


FEELING OLD

Jul 23 2023 2:31pm

I wish I was shocked! When I was looking for a training contract about 10 years
ago, there was a law firm in Beckenham recruiting LPC graduates to work for a
year as a secretary for basically minimum wage, then a year as a paralegal,
before they might give you a training contract (without even giving you time to
count on the TC). Obviously neither promotions were guaranteed… Just checked
their website and they are still doing this.

Reply Report comment
(1)(0)


NAME THEM

Jul 23 2023 11:50pm

Name them

Reply Report comment
(8)(0)


ANONYMOUS

Jul 27 2023 11:32am

What is a ‘conveyancing person paralegal’? Is it a new gender – or is it gender
neutral, or what?

Reply Report comment
(0)(0)


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