Newly Qualified Solicitor Jobs in Birmingham
Birmingham is a city on the rise, and the growth in infrastructure and redevelopment seen over recent years is set to continue. As a result, the city is seeing more businesses and industries moving into the area, including law firms. If you are looking for your first job as a newly qualified solicitor, then Birmingham is a great city for continuing your law career. Its central location, high quality of life and lower cost of living than some other UK cities, all add to its appeal when looking for jobs.
A thriving legal hub, Birmingham has one of the largest concentrations of legal services outside of London. Top Legal 500 ranking law firms, including DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Shoosmiths, Gowling WLG and Browne Jacobson have offices in Birmingham as well as many other national and local law firms. Being based locally, law firms are better positioned to be able to provide advice and legal support to the wide range of industries and professional services that have relocated to the Midlands.
The variety of law firms that can be found across Birmingham make this city a great location for newly qualified solicitors to begin their law career. The city also has a well-established Law Society providing a network of support to legal professionals that work in the Birmingham region.
How much does a NQ Solicitor make in Birmingham?
The average base salary for a newly qualified solicitor in Birmingham is around £41,000 a year1, although the largest firms will pay considerably higher in the £60,000s. While this may be less than for a similar role in London, the lower housing, travel and general living costs put Birmingham in an attractive position when looking for a suitable job in a big city.
Living costs for a NQ Solicitor in Birmingham
Despite the regeneration and size of the city, you will find money still goes further in Birmingham than in locations further south. Housing costs are cheaper, with a centrally located one bedroom flat averaging £900 a month and a three bedroom home around £1,850 a month. If you live further out and travel in for work, then a one bedroom place could be less than £700 and a three bedroom house around £1,200 a month2. Council tax for 2023/24 is just under £1,700 a year for a Band C property.
If you regularly commute to work, then travel costs will be part of your budget. A day ticket for unlimited bus travel in Birmingham and the West Midlands is £4.20 or a 4 week pass is £60. To include the Metro, a 1 day ticket is £7.70 or a 4 week pass is £108. The variety of ticketing and payment options means you can choose the one which is most economical according to your needs.
Things to do as a NQ Solicitor in Birmingham
If you want to experience city living, then you cannot go wrong in Birmingham. Here is a multicultural city where you can get a taste of cultures, traditions and foods from all over the world. With an exciting social scene of bars, clubs and restaurants and a thriving art and culture scene of theatres and music, you can always find something to do after a day at the office.
Add to this a spot of retail therapy at the Bullring & Grand Central, a wander round the independent shops in the Jewellery Quarter or a stroll along the many canals and there really is something for everyone. A friendly and welcoming city with lots to see and do, if you work as a NQ solicitor in this part of the country you really can feel at home.
If you live in or near Birmingham, you will find plenty to do at the weekend. It is close enough to visit the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds, south of the city, or a drive north will find you in the ideal spot for some hiking in the Peak District. For trips further afield, Birmingham New Street is the main train station from where you can get to Manchester in an hour and a half and London in around two hours.
NQ Solicitor Job Vacancies in Birmingham and the Midlands
Birmingham is full of opportunities for law professionals at all stages of their legal career. For newly qualified solicitors, there are many options when considering the type of law firm and the area of law that you want to pursue when looking for your first job post qualification. Search our latest NQ solicitor vacancies here.
How can Chadwick Nott Help?
Our presence in Birmingham was established over two decades ago and during the years that Chadwick Nott has been here, we have developed powerful connections with both leading law firms, regional offices and smaller boutique law firms.
Sectors of law where we have previously placed candidates as newly qualified (NQ) solicitors include banking and finance, commercial litigation, employment, intellectual property, clinical negligence, family law, and private client work. Our years of experience in legal recruitment places us in the excellent position of being able to help candidates with finding NQ solicitor jobs where they have the most to offer a firm that will in turn best suit their own career aspirations.
To speak to one of our associates about finding NQ solicitor jobs in Birmingham or anywhere across the Midlands, contact our office.
References
- Glassdoor. 2023. Legal Assistant Salaries in Birmingham. [Online]. [September 2023]. Available from: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/nq-solicitor-salary-SRCH_IM1161_KO0,12.htm?clickSource=searchBtn
- Numbeo. 2023. Cost of Living in Birmingham. [Online]. [September 2023]. Available from: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Birmingham