Moving from Science into Law
Download as PPT, PDF1 like11,465 views
The document outlines Ed McFarlane's career transition from biological sciences to law, detailing his education and various roles in the legal field, particularly focusing on employment law. McFarlane currently works at EEF Ltd, representing employers at employment tribunals and providing legal support and advice. The document also highlights the demands of a lawyer's life, potential career paths, and provides salary insights for in-house counsel in North West England.
Moving from Science into Law
- 1. Moving from Science into Law Ed McFarlane Legal Adviser EEF Ltd www.eef.org.uk
- 2. My Career 1989 B.Sc. (Hons) Biological Sciences – Microbiology/Genetics/Biochemistry 1990 ESF Traineeship Biochemistry Dept. 1991-1993 Research Assistant Genetics Dept. (Yeast genetics) 1993/4 CPE De Montfort University 1994/5 Legal Practice Course DMU
- 3. My Career 1996-97 – Civil service: Inland Revenue; Crown Prosecution Service 1997 – Legal Helpline; Direct Line 1998 Royal & Sun Alliance Legal Helpline 2000 Employment Law consultancy 2003 Employment Tribunal advocate 2009 EEF Ltd
- 4. Current work - EEF Ltd Employers’ Association www.eef.org.uk Formerly the Engineering Employers’ Federation Represents and assists employers in manufacturing and other larger employers Provide representation, legal support, networking
- 5. My job Represent employers at Employment Tribunals Participate in External Conferences with Trades Union Advise employers Training/Lecturing
- 6. Employment Tribunals Relatively informal Court Defend claims for Unfair Dismissal; discrimination; unpaid wages. Take case from commencement to conclusion – drafting defence, preparing documents, drafting statements, representation in Tribunal.
- 7. Employment Tribunals Representation is undertaken by solicitors, barristers, Trade Union reps, Consultants and Litigants in Person. Key to job is knowledge of the facts of the case and the law that helps or hinders your case.
- 8. A typical day Start work 8.30am to 6pm – (weekends) Dictate a witness statement Handle around 10 phone calls from clients Around 20 emails from clients/opponents Post Draft legal argument or opinion Draft a Compromise Agreement
- 9. Range of tasks Attend a Tribunal hearing Attend an external conference Litigation and advice preparation work Keep up with law Advice in telephone or in writing Deliver/prepare training Site visits
- 10. Employment Tribunals Key Legal Skills Cross-examination Presenting Legal arguments Negotiating settlements Mastering up to 500 pages of documents
- 11. Lawyers’ lives Solicitors: private practice Billing targets Long hours High pressure Exacting professional rules
- 12. Lawyers’ lives Solicitors may also work in Local and Central government In-house Counsel (larger companies) Consultancy firms
- 13. Lawyers’ lives Barristers Self-employed Work in Chambers Advocacy and Advice Itinerant life-styles Thick skins!
- 14. Tips for getting the edge Outstanding degree Connections Experience Pro bono work Don’t have a conviction! Don’t get into financial trouble
- 15. What if you don’t qualify? Considerable debt burden? Alternative jobs (i) Consultancy (ii) Company Secretary (iii) Compliance management
- 16. Salary Survey In-house Counsel – North West England 2009 Years Min Norm Max NQ £33,000 £40,000 £42,000 1 £36,000 £44,000 £46,000 2 £40,000 £46,000 £51,500 3 £43,000 £50,000 £62,000 4 £48,000 £57,000 £65,000 5 £50,000 £60,000 £67,000 6 £52,000 £66,000 £70,500 7 £58,000 £71,000 £107,000 8 £60,000 £76,000 £110,000 9 £62,000 £95,000 £124,000 10-14 £64,000 £105,000 £168,000 15+ £65,500 £120,000 £196,000