The reality of working in law

Mafruhdha Miah is a senior associate in RPC's Media & Data Disputes team. She offers an insight into what it's like to work as a solicitor

A typical working day

A working day at RPC usually starts around 9am and finishes around 7pm. My day-to-day work focuses on progressing active matters for publisher, broadcaster, and tech platform clients. This can involve drafting correspondence with opposing solicitors, working alongside barristers to prepare defences or witness statements, and joining client calls to discuss strategy.

As a team, we also review news articles, podcasts, and books before publication to minimise the risk of complaints. This means I spend a good part of my day keeping up with the news.

Because court deadlines are set well in advance, my workload is usually predictable, and unexpected late nights are rare. That said, when an important deadline is approaching, it can be busy, and I may work until 10pm or later - but it's always a team effort, so I'm never tackling it alone.

While the hours can occasionally be long, the work is engaging and rewarding. It's especially satisfying when you see a case you've worked on reported in the news, or when friends and family ask you about it.

Most lawyers in my team will have one or two high-profile cases on the go, alongside several less active matters and some pre-publication content to review. How many cases you're assigned varies depending on the team.

For example, colleagues in banking litigation may work almost full-time on a single case worth hundreds of millions of pounds, while insurance teams handle a larger number of smaller files. By contrast, corporate lawyers have work that follows the lifecycle of transactions, with steady periods of drafting and negotiation followed by intense activity in the lead-up to completion.

Read up on the typical activities of a solicitor.

Training contracts

Getting a training contract at a City law firm is competitive. Larger firms typically offer more places than smaller or regional firms, but they also attract more applicants.

The best way to secure a training contract is often by first joining the firm's vacation scheme; a paid internship where you experience the firm's work and culture. At RPC, around one in three vacation scheme participants go on to secure a training contract, which is a much higher success rate than applying directly.

As a trainee at RPC, you'll typically complete four six-month 'seats,' each in a different department. You could spend time working on corporate deals, advising big-name brands on commercial contracts or intellectual property rights, representing insurers in negligence disputes, or acting on multi-million-pound banking litigation. There are also opportunities to spend six months seconded to a client or at one of the firm's overseas offices.

Salary

A trainee at RPC based in London earns £48,000 in the first year and £52,000 in the second year.

On qualification, salaries are up to £95,000. Salaries are adjusted for regional offices, such as Bristol.

For the most up-to-date information, visit RPC's Early Talent pages.

Take a look at how much lawyers earn.

Opportunities for promotion

I was very fortunate to be promoted to senior associate, just under four years after qualifying. Most people can expect promotion around the five-year mark, but it's not a fixed timeline. Progression is based on merit, taking into account performance, technical knowledge, and contributions to the wider firm.

Culture

The culture of a law firm is an important factor when choosing where to work. It's a two-way street - you need to feel the firm is the right fit for you, as much as the firm is assessing you.

I chose RPC because I valued the high levels of responsibility given to trainees, the collegiate atmosphere, and the relatively flat hierarchy. We sit in an open-plan office, and during my training contract, I often sat next to or opposite a partner. I never felt intimidated about asking questions or building relationships.

As I've progressed, I've built lasting relationships with clients and know I can rely on my colleagues to support me through busy periods, just as I do for them.

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB)

DEIB is a real focus at RPC. The firm is committed to ensuring its workforce reflects society, including increasing representation of women at senior levels, as well as people from ethnic minority and lower socio-economic backgrounds at all levels.

There are several internal communities where employees share ideas and experiences to celebrate differences and learn about each other’s cultures and backgrounds.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in law.

Final thoughts

Working as a solicitor at RPC is both challenging and rewarding. No two days are the same, and the variety of work means you're constantly learning and developing your skills. What makes it truly worthwhile, though, is the people. The supportive culture, the opportunities to build lasting client relationships, and the sense that you're part of a team that genuinely values your growth.

If you're considering a career in law, my advice would be to stay curious, be open to new experiences, and choose a firm where you feel you can thrive, not just professionally, but personally too.

Find out more

• Discover how to become a lawyer.
• Take a look at the top UK law firms.