Climbing the legal career ladder can feel daunting, especially in the early years when competition is fierce and expectations are high.

Fortunately, advancing as a solicitor isn’t just about clocking up years of experience - it’s about building visibility, credibility, and influence in ways that go beyond legal knowledge.

Here are some tips for standing out that don’t involve working 23 hours a day.

Raise a hand

In the first stages of your career, one of the best ways to make a good impression is to offer your help and be proactive. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is. However not everyone does this, so taking the initiative will get you noticed.

This could look like really small actions such as keeping your supervisor updated on progress before they have to chase you, seeking feedback on your work, preparing for meetings in advance, or connecting with clients and peers on LinkedIn.

If you're further into your career, consider volunteering yourself for projects that stretch you. Even if you’re gently turned down, at least you’ve expressed your aim to progress. Offering to write a blog for your firm’s website is another great way to demonstrate both your knowledge and ambition.

There are also plenty of ways you can be building knowledge and skills in the background. Try keeping a running list of questions or concepts to research in between tasks, or use downtime to read client updates or refine templates.

Regularly reading legal magazines or sector-specific news relating to your company’s clients makes a great impression too. Subscribe to email newsletters or follow these accounts on LinkedIn to ensure you’re surrounded by these updates even when you aren’t able to carve out a designated chunk of time.

Being proactive isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room - it’s about taking quiet initiative every day. Anticipate, communicate, learn, and contribute beyond your job description. Over time, those small actions will make you someone that clients and colleagues remember and rely on.

Practice public speaking

Public speaking is one of the most powerful career accelerators in any sector. As well as improving confidence, it builds visibility, authority, and trust. It also gets you noticed by senior partners and decision-makers.

At one end of the spectrum, recent graduates could begin by putting themselves forward for internal presentations to get used to public speaking in a supportive and familiar environment.

Being able to explain complex legal concepts in plain English is one of the most valuable skills a lawyer can have. Practicing your public speaking sharpens your ability to think on your feet, structure and argument clearly, and handle tough questions.

If you’re a few years down the road, why not contact your old university (or local university) and offer to talk to undergrads? Networking events and junior legal panels are also a good way to raise your public profile.

Those ready to take a step further can think about roundtables, webinars and podcasts, to gain credibility.

If you’re frequently putting yourself forward for speaking opportunities, have some bullet points or paragraphs to hand of why you should be selected. This might include your experience, areas of expertise and any similar talks you’ve delivered. This speeds up the process and increases your chances of getting chosen.

Remember to attend talks yourself, as the best way to learn is from observing those more experienced than you. You may even learn new perspectives and approaches that you can share with your team.

Seek CPD opportunities

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) isn’t just a regulatory box-tick for solicitors, it’s the foundation of a sustainable, successful legal career. For junior and mid-level professionals in particular, it’s one of the most effective ways to stay relevant, build confidence, and progress faster.

There are some excellent CPD opportunities for junior and mid-level solicitors in the UK, with different options to suit your needs.

Structured CPD programmes are a really comprehensive option. The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) provides CPD packages in practice areas (e.g. conveyancing) and professional skills (such as leadership or presentation) for legal professionals at various career stages.

If you’re looking for something less time-intensive, Tte Law Society of England and Wales offers micro-credential courses aimed at junior solicitors, for example ‘Client Care’ or ‘Commercial Awareness for Fee Earners.’ These are shorter learning units, convenient for those balancing workloads. There are also free webinars available, such as those organised by specialist training providers, that can help fulfil CPD hours in a cost-efficient way.

Joining a local junior lawyers division, such as a regional chapter of the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD), gives access to seminars, workshops, and peer-networking events - all of which may count toward CPD or at least contribute to professional development.

Before making a decision, ensure the CPD activity is recognised and relevant to your practice area or career goal.

Success in law is rarely linear, but those who combine skill with self-awareness, curiosity, and initiative move further and faster.

 

Minal Backhouse previously worked for a number of high street practices before starting her own firm, Backhouse Solicitors

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