Over the last 18 months, at GRL we have placed more Junior Clerks than ever before. Chambers are increasingly seeking talented individuals in this capacity to support their business. While interviewing candidates and giving perspective on Junior Clerk positions is valuable, nothing compares to hearing directly from someone who has made the journey themselves.
Becky caught up with one of our recently placed candidates, Emily, to give more insight to other aspiring Junior Clerks about what it’s really like.
Emily Davy made a successful transition from retail to becoming a Junior Clerk at Essex Court, one of London’s leading commercial sets. We supported Emily in securing this position, after she applied for the role with us, and her insights offer a valuable perspective for anyone considering this career path in the legal profession.
What drew you towards applying for a Junior Clerk role?
“What initially drew me to it was my experience in Chambers through my mentor, who was a Barrister. He helped me gain some experience within the Junior Clerk and clerking roles. I met with the Head Clerk and Senior Clerk who ran me through the progression opportunities. After my work experience at LK Law, I realised that while solicitors’ work was great, it wasn’t for me. It was nice to know that my options weren’t just limited to becoming a barrister or solicitor.”
What have you learned about clerking that you didn’t expect?
“It’s a very rewarding job. You get praised a lot, especially by the more traditional barristers. They’re very grateful for everything you do. There’s also a substantial amount of admin work involved, which I actually prefer to court runs. Being a Junior Clerk lets you learn more Table Clerk roles while gaining valuable experience in areas like billing, filing, and booking travel.
I learned how to write emails properly and portray myself in a more professional manner, especially to solicitors and other Chambers. In school, I never really got taught how to write a letter properly, so that was definitely something I had to learn quickly.”
What’s a typical day like as a Junior Clerk?
“The day usually starts with court runs in the morning. You’re basically on standby for anything that barristers, members, staff, or other Clerks need. This can range from printing documents and creating authority bundles to handling dry cleaning or shopping requests. You’re especially on standby if court finishes early or overruns.
If we’re quite quiet, the Clerks will often delegate a few tasks to us. I’ve had travel bookings and hotels passed down to me, and while I’m trying to get my billing practice in, I’m getting quite a lot of billing sent through to familiarise myself with it all. It’s quite nice to have that little bit of extra work and responsibility.”
What surprised you the most about being a Junior Clerk?
“It was a real change from what I had done before. It can be quite a stressful and highly fast-paced environment. I was exhausted when I got home in those early days! My advice would be to give it six months. You need time to adjust to the role and really get into it.
From the first day that I went and did a court run, I started meeting other Junior Clerks. You always bump into people either at court runs or just running around Lincoln’s Inn. It’s so nice because you can help each other out – you know they’re always just a phone call or an email away. We form lasting friendships through our shared experiences. You’re all in it together, especially when you’re doing those court runs in the rain!”
What are the essential traits for success in this role?
“Strong teamwork abilities are crucial – without teamwork, you have no team, and without a team, you have no Junior Clerks. You also need resilience; you have to throw yourself in the deep end and go for it. The barristers here absolutely love dedication and knowing that your head is in the role, rather than just being there for the money.
Organisation is essential, especially with court runs – you need to make sure you’re organised to ensure people get to court on time. You need initiative because there’s going to be times where no one’s going to tell you what to do, you just kind of have to go with it. And self-confidence is key – even if you’re not confident, you need to act like you’re confident.
The thing with being a Junior Clerk is you kind of have to do everything you get asked – you can’t say no. As challenging as some of the jobs might be, you have to just get on with it. You build up more respect and responsibility by just doing it and working hard rather than creating a fuss about it. Those asking you to do the jobs know you’re capable – it’s sometimes just about building confidence and getting out of your comfort zone.”
How do you see your career developing?
“I would love to become a Table Clerk. I’m happy to take the steps up that need to be taken. Just being able to have that responsibility and seeing how rewarding their jobs are, seeing the relationships they have with barristers. Hopefully one day I’ll become a Senior Clerk!
The role I do now is effectively the same as a junior PA or team leader role in a law firm. Once you’ve got that experience within a law setting, there are many directions you can take your career.”
How has the transition affected your work-life balance?
“My days have gone from 8 till 3 at school to 7 till 7. Trying to fit a gym in… by the time I get home, it’s seven o’clock, then gym at half seven, home at half eight, dinner at nine, and bed at ten o’clock. It’s challenging but worth it.”
Concluding Thoughts
Emily’s journey from uncertain beginnings to finding her stride in Chambers offers valuable insights for anyone considering this path in the legal profession. What struck me most during our conversation was Emily’s enthusiasm despite the demanding nature of the role. Her resilience and positive attitude shine through in every response.
What’s particularly inspiring about Emily’s story is how she discovered a fulfilling career path that isn’t widely discussed in educational settings. The legal sector offers numerous opportunities beyond becoming a barrister or solicitor, and Junior Clerking represents an excellent entry point with clear progression routes.
Emily’s experience highlights the importance of networking and community in the legal profession. The camaraderie among Junior Clerks across different Chambers provides both professional support and personal friendship – a vital foundation for anyone starting in this career.
For those considering a similar path, Emily’s six-month adjustment period advice is particularly valuable. New careers often require patience and persistence before you find your rhythm, especially when transitioning from an entirely different field.
We are regularly advertising for Junior Clerk positions with some of the UK’s leading barristers’ Chambers. If Emily’s story has inspired you, please reach out to me. I’d be happy to discuss potential positions with you.
