06 January 2009

The majority of would-be lawyers are concerned about training opportunities becoming limited due to the current financial crisis, new research has revealed.

Figures collected by Lawyer2B.com found that 70 per cent of students are worried they will not be able to obtain a training position, with just 26 per cent believing the credit crunch would have no affect on the training schemes offered by law firms.

Respondents to the online poll included Warwick University Student Chrissy Vassiliou, who told the website that competition with non-law students - such as those from the banking sector- was increasing.

"It's hard enough getting a training contract as it is, especially at a magic circle firm," she explained, adding that the growing numbers of people being attracted to the industry by the prospect of law jobs will make doing so "really, really tough".

A recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that graduates are attracted to firms with high corporate responsibility levels, with 82 per cent of respondents stating that they wish to work for such a company.