A solicitor career in England and Wales involves advising clients on legal matters, drafting and negotiating documents, managing transactions and disputes, and representing clients in some courts and tribunals. Solicitors work for law firms of every size, in-house legal teams at companies and charities, local and central government, and organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service. Most specialise in one area, for example corporate, property, family, employment, private client, litigation or crime, and progress from trainee or newly qualified solicitor to associate, senior associate and partner, or to senior in-house roles such as general counsel. Since 2021, new solicitors usually qualify through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, combining two stages of exams with two years of qualifying work experience.
This guide is for students, graduates, paralegals and career changers considering becoming a solicitor. It explains what solicitors actually do, the main practice areas and workplaces, the skills that matter, how careers progress, what affects pay and the realities of the job.
What solicitors do
The precise work depends on the practice area, but most solicitors spend their time on a mix of these tasks:
| Task | Examples |
|---|---|
| Advising clients | Explaining legal rights, options and risks in plain language |
| Drafting | Contracts, leases, wills, letters, court documents, policies |
| Negotiating | Commercial terms, settlements, property transactions |
| Research | Finding and applying legislation and case law |
| Managing matters | Keeping transactions and cases on track, coordinating with other parties |
| Representing clients | Attending hearings, tribunals and meetings; solicitor-advocates can appear in higher courts |
| Compliance and ethics | Conflict checks, client identity checks, protecting client money and confidentiality |
| Business development | Building relationships, winning clients and writing articles or updates |
Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which sets standards of professional conduct. Duties to act with integrity, in clients’ best interests and in the proper administration of justice shape everyday decisions.
Solicitors vs barristers
In England and Wales, the legal profession is split. Solicitors usually have direct, ongoing relationships with clients and manage their matters, while barristers are specialist advocates and advisers, often instructed by solicitors for court hearings or complex opinions. Many solicitors never go to court; others regularly appear in lower courts and tribunals, and solicitor-advocates with higher rights of audience can appear in senior courts. Our guide to solicitors vs barristers explains the differences in detail.
Main practice areas
| Practice area | What the work involves | Typical clients |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate and M&A | Company acquisitions, investments, restructurings, governance | Companies, investors, founders |
| Banking and finance | Loans, bonds, financial regulation | Banks, borrowers, funds |
| Commercial | Supply, distribution, technology and outsourcing contracts | Businesses of all sizes |
| Commercial property / real estate | Buying, selling, leasing and developing property | Developers, landlords, tenants, investors |
| Residential conveyancing | Home purchases and sales | Individuals |
| Dispute resolution / litigation | Contract disputes, commercial claims, arbitration | Businesses and individuals |
| Employment | Contracts, dismissals, discrimination, tribunals | Employers and employees |
| Family | Divorce, finances on separation, children arrangements | Individuals |
| Private client | Wills, trusts, probate, tax planning | Individuals and families |
| Crime | Defence and prosecution in criminal cases | Individuals; the Crown Prosecution Service |
| Personal injury and clinical negligence | Compensation claims | Claimants or insurers |
| Immigration | Visas, asylum, nationality | Individuals and employers |
| Intellectual property and technology | Trademarks, patents, data protection, IT contracts | Businesses, creators |
| Regulatory and public law | Regulatory investigations, judicial review | Businesses, public bodies, individuals |
Trainees often rotate through several areas before qualifying, which helps them choose a specialism.
Where solicitors work
- Large commercial firms in London and major cities, advising corporations and financial institutions on complex, often international matters.
- Mid-sized and regional firms, serving businesses and individuals across a mix of commercial and private client work.
- High-street and small firms, focusing on conveyancing, family, wills, crime and employment for local clients.
- In-house legal teams at companies, banks, charities and public bodies.
- Government and public sector, including central government legal services, local authorities and prosecution services.
- Legal aid and advice organisations, helping people who can’t afford to pay for legal services.
Skills solicitors need
- Clear writing. Contracts, letters and advice must be precise, accurate and understandable.
- Analytical thinking. Identifying the legal issues and applying the law to messy facts.
- Attention to detail. A single wrong date, figure or clause can have serious consequences.
- Communication and empathy. Clients are often stressed, whether they’re buying a home, going through divorce or facing a dispute.
- Commercial awareness. Understanding clients’ businesses, goals and risk appetite so advice is practical.
- Negotiation. Finding outcomes that protect clients while getting deals done or disputes resolved.
- Organisation. Managing many matters, deadlines and documents at once.
- Resilience. Handling pressure, demanding clients and heavy workloads.
- Technology skills. Case management systems, document automation, e-disclosure and, increasingly, AI tools used responsibly.
- Ethical judgement. Recognising conflicts, protecting confidentiality and acting with integrity.
How solicitor careers progress
| Stage | Typical responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Paralegal / trainee | Research, drafting first versions, document management, attending meetings |
| Newly qualified (NQ) solicitor | Running smaller matters, drafting, client contact under supervision |
| Associate (1–4 years PQE) | Managing matters, supervising juniors, growing client relationships |
| Senior associate | Leading complex matters, mentoring, business development |
| Legal director / counsel (some firms) | Senior expertise without partnership |
| Partner | Leading client relationships, firm management, profit sharing or salaried partnership |
PQE means post-qualification experience, which firms often use to describe seniority. In-house, progression typically runs from legal counsel to senior counsel, head of legal and general counsel. Our guide to law career progression explains how promotions usually work, and our article on getting promoted in a law firm gives practical advice.
What affects solicitor pay
Solicitor pay varies more than in many professions, so it’s best to understand the factors rather than rely on a single average:
- Type of employer. Large commercial firms in London typically pay the most, particularly at junior levels. Regional firms, high-street practices, legal aid work and public sector roles usually pay less.
- Practice area. Corporate, finance and some commercial areas tend to pay more than legally aided areas such as crime and family.
- Location. London salaries are generally higher than elsewhere, though living costs are too.
- Seniority. Pay rises with PQE, and partners’ earnings depend on firm profits.
- In-house vs private practice. In-house pay can be competitive, especially at senior levels, often with bonuses and benefits.
The SRA no longer sets a minimum salary for trainees, though the Law Society publishes a recommended minimum. Check recent salary surveys from recruiters and professional bodies for current figures in your target area.
A day in the life (hypothetical)
Here’s an illustrative day for a two-year PQE commercial property solicitor at a regional firm:
- 9:00 Reviews emails and updates on three lease negotiations.
- 9:30 Drafts amendments to a lease for a retail tenant, focusing on repair obligations and break clauses.
- 11:00 Call with a landlord client to explain the tenant’s requested changes and recommend a response.
- 12:30 Reviews title documents and searches for a property purchase, noting issues to raise.
- 14:00 Supervises a trainee preparing a report on title.
- 15:30 Negotiates outstanding points with the other side’s solicitor by phone.
- 16:30 Updates the matter management system and records time.
- 17:30 Prepares completion documents for a transaction closing tomorrow.
The pattern of drafting, advising, negotiating and managing deadlines is common across many areas, though the content differs.
How to become a solicitor
The main route for new entrants is the SQE route set by the SRA:
- A degree in any subject, or equivalent qualifications or experience.
- SQE1, assessing functioning legal knowledge.
- SQE2, assessing practical legal skills such as interviewing, advocacy, research and drafting.
- Two years of qualifying work experience (QWE) with up to four organisations, confirmed by a solicitor or compliance officer.
- Character and suitability requirements.
Other routes include solicitor apprenticeships, which combine paid work with study, and transitional arrangements for those who began the older LPC and training contract route before the SQE was introduced. Our guides to becoming a solicitor and the SQE route explain each step.
Pros and cons of a solicitor career
Pros
- Intellectually challenging, varied work.
- Respected professional qualification with transferable skills.
- Many specialisms and workplaces to choose from.
- Opportunities to help individuals and businesses at important moments.
- Clear progression and, in commercial law, high earning potential.
Cons
- Long hours in some firms and practice areas, especially large commercial firms.
- Time recording and billing targets in private practice.
- Pressure from deadlines, clients and regulatory duties.
- Competitive entry, particularly for large firms.
- Pay in legal aid and some public sector work can be modest relative to workload.
Choosing a specialism
Consider:
- What kind of clients you want: businesses, individuals or public bodies.
- Contentious vs non-contentious work: do you prefer disputes and advocacy, or transactions and drafting?
- Pace and predictability: some areas, such as corporate M&A, have intense deal-driven periods; others, such as private client, are steadier.
- Personal interest: you’ll spend years on the subject, so genuine interest matters.
- Market demand and pay: some specialisms have stronger demand in particular regions or sectors.
Trainee seats, paralegal work, vacation schemes and conversations with practising solicitors are the best ways to test your preferences.
Working life: hours, billing and wellbeing
Working life varies a great deal by employer. In private practice, many solicitors record their time in short units and have annual billable hours targets, which shape the working day. Large commercial firms often expect long hours during busy transactions or before trials, while regional and high-street firms may offer more predictable schedules, though workloads can still be heavy. In-house and public sector roles usually involve no billing, but bring their own pressures around budgets and competing internal requests.
Wellbeing has received growing attention across the profession, and many firms now offer mental health support, flexible working and mentoring schemes. When comparing employers, ask current solicitors about typical hours, how workload is allocated, how flexible working operates in practice and how supervisors support junior lawyers. Those answers often matter as much as salary for long-term career satisfaction.
Solicitors also have continuing competence obligations under SRA rules, so ongoing learning and reflection on their practice remain part of working life throughout their careers.
Good supervisors make a significant difference to how quickly junior solicitors develop.
Common misconceptions about being a solicitor
- “Solicitors spend most of their time in court.” Many rarely go to court; much of the work is advisory and transactional.
- “All solicitors earn high salaries.” Pay varies widely by employer, area and location.
- “You need a law degree.” Graduates in any subject can qualify through the SQE route.
- “Once you choose a specialism, you’re locked in.” Moves between areas are possible, especially early in your career, and in-house roles often combine several areas.
First steps if you’re considering this career
- Speak to solicitors in different practice areas about their daily work.
- Get legal work experience through clinics, open days, paralegal roles or volunteering.
- Research the SQE route, costs and timelines.
- Look at job adverts for trainees and newly qualified solicitors to understand employers’ expectations.
Our list of entry-level legal jobs suggests roles that build experience while you qualify.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a solicitor?
It varies by route. Through the SQE, candidates need to pass SQE1 and SQE2 and complete two years of qualifying work experience, which together commonly take several years after starting legal study or work.
Do solicitors need a law degree?
No. Under the SQE route, graduates in any subject can qualify, although many non-law graduates take a preparation or conversion course before SQE1.
What’s the difference between a solicitor and a lawyer?
“Lawyer” is a general term for legal professionals. A solicitor is a specific type of qualified lawyer in England and Wales, regulated by the SRA.
Can solicitors work part-time or flexibly?
Yes. Many firms and in-house teams offer flexible and hybrid working, though availability depends on the role and practice area.
Takeaway
A solicitor career offers varied, challenging work across many specialisms and workplaces, from global firms to local practices, in-house teams and public service. Success depends on clear writing, careful analysis, client care and commercial judgement. Explore practice areas through work experience, understand the SQE route and choose a path that matches your interests and goals. For more on legal careers in general, see our legal career guide.
