Careers
The Careers Department serves as the principal link between CULS members and the legal profession, delivering a comprehensive programme of events designed to inform, prepare, and inspire students pursuing careers in law.
Throughout the academic year, the department works closely with leading law firms, barristers' chambers, and other legal organisations to deliver workshops, networking events, and panel discussions covering a broad range of practice areas. These events provide members with valuable insight into the realities of legal practice while helping them make informed decisions about potential career pathways and develop competitive applications for vacation schemes, training contracts, and pupillage.
Alongside employer-led events, the department organises careers panels featuring current students, recent graduates, trainees, pupils, and alumni, creating opportunities for members to benefit from relatable advice and first-hand experiences of the application process. These discussions help demystify the journey into the profession while fostering collaboration and mentorship across year groups.
The department's programme covers every stage of a legal career, including commercial awareness, first-year opportunities, vacation schemes, training contracts, alternative legal careers, and specialist practice areas beyond commercial law. By working closely with other CULS departments, the Careers Department also introduces members to a diverse range of legal careers, ensuring students gain a broad understanding of the profession and the many opportunities available.
Whether members are exploring legal careers for the first time or preparing for final-round interviews, the Careers Department aims to provide the knowledge, practical guidance, and professional connections needed to navigate the profession with confidence.
Barristers
The Barristers' Department provides practical guidance and professional development opportunities for members considering a career at the Bar. Through a combination of skills workshops, careers events, mentoring, and networking opportunities, the department supports students at every stage of the journey towards pupillage, from first-year exploration through to final-round applications.
Recognising that many students are unfamiliar with the route to the Bar, the department places particular emphasis on providing accessible guidance from the outset. Early in the academic year, members can expect introductory workshops exploring the differences between the work of solicitors and barristers, the structure of the Bar, and how to build a competitive profile through first-year opportunities. These events are open to both law and non-law students, ensuring that everyone has the information needed to make informed career decisions.
Throughout the year, members are supported by practical resources designed to simplify the application process, including guidance on scholarship deadlines, funding opportunities, and mini-pupillage applications. The department also maintains shared resources informed by previous applicants' experiences, enabling members to make more informed decisions when applying to chambers.
Our annual programme includes panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and networking events with practising barristers, King's Counsel, pupils, and alumni across a broad range of practice areas. Alongside these events, we deliver application workshops focusing on written applications, advocacy experience, and the strategic differences between pupillage recruitment across sets, helping members develop stronger and more tailored applications.
The department works closely with the Careers and Mooting Departments to provide a comprehensive programme of support. Joint initiatives include workshops on advocacy skills, guidance on Inns of Court scholarships and qualifying sessions, and opportunities for members to receive direct feedback from practising barristers through mooting competitions. Together, these initiatives ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge, practical experience, and professional connections needed to pursue a career successfully at the Bar.
Socials
The Socials Department brings our law society to life, organising the vast majority of the
society’s social calendar. We pride ourselves on delivering a dynamic programme of events
that spans the full spectrum: from relaxed student gatherings and formal networking socials.
Networking with Law Firms
We partner with leading law firms to host networking events. These events allow students to
interact with legal professionals, learn more about different practice areas and career paths,
and establish relationships that could prove invaluable in their career.
Student Socials & Community
On the flip side, we host social gatherings for members to unwind and/or meet other like-
minded individuals potentially interested in the legal profession. These student gatherings are
typically more informal, including entertainments such as cocktail nights and water-colour and
wine evenings.
We place a particular emphasis in welcoming and supporting new members. Our Freshers’
events are designed to help students settle into Cambridge and forge meaningful relationships
in the CULS community; these early connections often become lasting friendships that are
invaluable to your university experience.
Beyond events within our own community, the highlight of our calendar is the annual Oxford x
Cambridge Law Dinner at Lincoln’s Inn, a memorable social gathering bringing together law
students from both universities for an evening of connection and camaraderie.