Semester 1 is law fairs season and therefore an important time for anyone aspiring to a legal career. This year, new virtual law fairs and virtual open days are replacing the usual face-to-face events throughout the autumn term. Whilst attending a virtual event might be new to you, it also means that you can attend numerous fairs or open days without having to spend any of your hard-earned cash on travel, giving you access to a wider range of firms and allowing you to network with more potential future employers!

Lawcareers.Net has compiled a handy overview of virtual open days and insight schemes, including all the dates and application deadlines.

Make sure you add these four key events to your diary this autumn:

• The Aspiring Solicitors Virtual Diversity Law Fair – this series take place throughout October and November. Successful applicants will be provided with a coaching session before the event. Check their website for eligibility requirements and to apply.
• The Legal Cheek UK Virtual Law Fair Series – four law fairs, each with a capacity for 5,000 students, taking place on 8th September, 8th October, 10th November and 3rd December.
• AllAboutLaw Virtual Law Fair – runs for a week from 26th to 30th October.
• Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair 2020 – the only recruitment fair giving you insight into the work of barristers across the whole spectrum of the profession, the Pupillage Fair is an unmissable date in the diary of anyone considering the Bar as a career option. Free of charge and held entirely online, this year’s Pupillage Fair on Saturday, 17th October 2020, will give you the chance to get advice from practising barristers, discuss your prospects with pupillage providers and find out how to build your CV and access funding and support.

The LawCareers.NetLIVE careers conferences are also a great way of learning more about how to build a fulfilling career as a solicitor. They are chiefly aimed at students wanting to apply for 2021 vacation schemes and are delivered as a mix of virtual panel discussions, workshops and networking. Please check their FAQ pages for further information. You can choose from three dates: 26th/27th November 2020, 1st/2nd December 2020, and 3rd/4th December 2020. Applications are now open and close on 29th October 2020, but please apply as soon as possible as offers will be made on a rolling basis. You may apply to only ONE  LawCareersNetLIVE event; it is up to you to choose the one that best suits your own timetable and interests.

BPP is hosting a number of national and regional law fairs, as well as their pupillage fair throughout semester one:

BPP National Law Fair (1) – Thursday 15 October 3.00pm to 7.00pm – for students seeking employment at firms with a national or international presence.

BPP Regional Law Fair (Midlands, South West and East of England) – Monday 9 November 3.00pm to 7.00pm – for students seeking employment at firms with a presence in the Midlands, South West or East of England regions.

BPP Regional Law Fair (North of England) – Wednesday 11 November 3.00pm to 7.00pm – for students seeking employment at firms with a presence in the North of England.

BPP Regional Law Fair (London and South) – Thursday 12 November 3.00pm to 7.00pm – for students seeking employment at firms with a presence in London and the South of England.

BPP National Pupillage Fair – Thursday 19 November 3.00pm to 7.00pm – for students seeking pupillage

BPP National Law Fair (2) – Wednesday 9 December 3.00pm to 7.00pm – for students seeking employment at firm with a national or international presence.

You can attend as many of the Law Fairs as you wish. Information about which organisations are exhibiting at each event will be provided nearer the time.  The Fairs will also have breakout sessions which you can attend to further improve your employment prospects and skills.

LawCareers.Net provides some great advice on what to expect from virtual law fairs and some useful tips to impress employers with your questions.