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When you’re starting out as a junior lawyer, there’s lots to get to grips with: a new job, a new set of colleagues, and perhaps even a new location. That’s where junior lawyer divisions (JLDs) come in. Located up and down the country, these groups function a little bit like university societies, with opportunities to socialise, network, and meet like-minded young lawyers. Have a browse through these JLD hubs to figure out which one you’re nearest to!
The Junior Lawyers Division for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is open to lawyers in private practice and in-house up to 5 years PQE. It is also open to aspiring lawyers, legal executives and LPC students who are local to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
The BTSS is an organisation focused on uniting junior lawyers in Birmingham. We are made up of over 360 Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals, Legal Assistants, NQs (up to 3 years) and Post-Graduate Law Students from across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Unlike other networking groups, the BTSS has been around for over 110 years. Our networking socials have proven to build long lasting relationships within the legal community and our links with non-lawyering groups such as BCASS mean we can help our members create important contacts and links for the future.
Bristol JLD promotes the interests of junior lawyers in and around the Bristol region by organising social, networking and educational events. It aims to provide a forum for young lawyers to interact, socialise and support each other as well as encouraging sporting and charitable ventures, interaction with other professionals to improve business links and enhancing the young professional social scene. Membership is free.
Cardiff and South East Wales Junior Lawyers Division (CSEWJLD) represents junior lawyers including students, paralegals, trainee solicitors, CILEx lawyers and solicitors of up to five years post-qualification in the Cardiff and South East Wales area. CSEWJLD arranges and hosts social, networking and educational events in the local area. Image credit: Michel Curi
The Cheltenham & Gloucester JLD is a recently re-energised division, which has been mainly centred in Cheltenham, but has plans to expand further into Gloucester. The Cheltenham & Gloucester JLD has been around in various iterations for a few years, but the recently revamped committee is even more dedicated to expanding and making the division as relevant and supportive as possible for its members. The Cheltenham & Gloucester JLD is uniquely placed to help junior lawyers in the local area meet like-minded individuals, who are at similar stages in their careers.
The junior division of the Derby & District Law Society (DDLS), Derby Junior Lawyers is an organisation of young legal professionals who live or work in the East Midlands. We organise, host and attend professional development, networking and social events for the benefit of our members. We also work to promote the role of young legal professionals in the East Midlands and represent them within the DDLS and other organisations. We also have a national representative so we do have a voice on a higher level outside of the East Midlands.
Membership of the Peterborough Young Lawyers Group (PYLG) is open to anyone above 18 years of age who is a law student, paralegal, legal executive, or a solicitor of up to 5 years’ experience. It holds events throughout the year, some for networking and others for fun. There is no membership fee and many events are subsidised by the Law Society. The PYLG has members from a broad range of firms- some big, others small - and connections to other networking groups within Peterborough, such as the Young Professionals.
We are the South Essex Junior Lawyers Division (SEJLD). Our committee strives to arrange and host a carefully balanced mix of educational and social events in the local area. Together, we provide a platform for the area’s budding lawyers; an opportunity to network, meet like-minded people and even learn about different practice areas.
The South Hampshire JLD (SHJLD) forms part of the national Junior Lawyers Division. We are run by a committee of junior lawyers and have a membership base of over 100 trainees, paralegals, newly qualified lawyers and barristers from across Hampshire.
Sussex Junior Lawyers Division has promoted the needs of junior lawyers in the county for several years. The newly-elected committee is dedicated to supporting local lawyers embarking on their careers by hosting social, networking and educational events throughout the year. Membership is free and is open to law students, paralegals, legal executives, trainees and qualified solicitors up to 5 years PQE.
The Worcestershire Junior Law Division (WJLD) was formed to support the interests of students, paralegals, trainees, and solicitors across Worcestershire. Our aim is to create a dedicated community throughout the county to support junior legal professionals through the early stages of their career. Membership is free. The WJLD works closely with the Worcestershire Law Society (WLS) and supports WLS’ social and networking events. Image Credit: Oliver Mallich.