Charity campaign manager-turned-human rights lawyer Steve Broach — who was called to the Bar in 2008 — shares wisdom gleaned from this year’s pupil selection process at glamour set Doughty Street.
Over to Broach…
Having done my bit for pupillage selection this week, some thoughts on how to get a human rights pupillage 1/6
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
You’ve got to be clever AND nice.
Human rights chambers generally looking for high level of academic ability and evidence of serious commitment to welfare of others 2/6
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
If you haven’t got a first you need an LLM.
On academics, if you don't get a 1st as undergrad don't panic, but do get a decent masters ideally in human rights / specialist law area 3/6
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
Concern yourself with the rights of specific groups of humans.
commitment to others, best to really get involved in one or two issues rather than spreading thin. Develop expertise & show passion 4/6
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
Avoid anything that could be seen as flakey.
Great opps re commitment – @IPSEAcharity re SEN appeals, get involved w CAB, become union rep – anything substantial / long term 5/6
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
Fakes will be found out.
Finally, stand out from crowd and really mean it when you talk about your motivation to do human rights work w examples from your life 6/6
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
For human rights lawyers, 30 is the new 20.
2 more thoughts on #pupillage – don't worry about getting old before you get taken on, I was 30 and it's good for the ego to be a pupil then
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
Life goes on despite the cuts.
Finally on #pupillage – for all the cuts, being a barrister is still a huge privilege and is worth all the effort, so keep going
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
Oh, and once you bag the job, you need to get up early. Note the time Broach posted his tweets.
Previously: 11 things not to do in a pupillage interview
Update — 16:42 — bonus tip:
@legalcheek one more – check profiles of set's current pupils. If your cv doesn't match up don't waste time applying, go make your cv better
— Steve Broach (@SteveBroach) June 12, 2014
