Trainee lawyers who have successfully landed competitive training contracts are now selling career advice on social media, drawing criticism from senior lawyers who call the practice exploitative. The trend has emerged as a response to the increasingly competitive legal job market, where securing a training contract or pupillage is highly sought after. Those offering paid guidance have faced backlash for monetising access to a profession already facing barriers to entry.
Paul Leamy, a solicitor at Temple Bright and former partner at Winston Taylor, said the trend preys on aspiring candidates desperate for opportunities in an oversaturated market. He described it as a “cottage industry” taking advantage of those willing to pay for a shortcut to scarce roles. Leamy, who spent a decade at Winston Taylor before moving to Temple Bright, has been vocal about the profession’s responsibility to mentor the next generation without financial strings attached. “It’s creating another barrier to access into a profession which historically has had enough barriers which many of us within the profession have spent years trying to break down,” Leamy said. He added that those monetising their advice are “exploiting” aspiring candidates.
Fewer contracts, more applicants
Last year, 27,150 students enrolled in UK law courses, setting a record. This year, only about 3,000 training contracts were available across 67 City law firms. The disparity leaves thousands competing for limited positions, pushing many toward paid mentorship for an advantage.
Leamy argued the practice adds another obstacle in a profession already facing accessibility challenges. “There’s an unwritten duty to share knowledge with the next generation,” he said. “Turning it into a business doesn’t align with that principle.” He noted that law firms are “starting to frown upon this” and expressed hope that firms “start saying to incoming trainees they would not look well upon it if one of their offer holders did this.”
Those offering these services frequently post application tips on Instagram and TikTok, using the content to attract clients to paid courses. Leamy said the strategy typically involves sharing snippets of advice to entice people into paying for services.
Students report being misled
Finn Sprakes, a solicitor apprentice at a major City firm, called the trend manipulative. He explained that anxious aspiring lawyers often purchase advice without checking the credibility of those selling it. “People are almost panic-buying and wondering what they’re doing wrong and thinking they need to fix that so will pay,” Sprakes said.
On Reddit, users have shared experiences of spending thousands on mentorship, only to receive generic or AI-generated guidance. Others assumed the advisors were experienced professionals rather than fellow trainees or recent graduates.
The issue also affects the Bar. Ben Keith, a barrister at 5 St Andrews Hill, said aspiring barristers face similar pressures. With roughly 500 pupillage spots available annually, competition remains intense. Keith said he has seen a number of posts on social media from “people who don’t have pupillage themselves but are claiming they can help with pupillage applications.” He described the training course as “hugely oversubscribed” and said the interest in paying for advice online is due to people being “slightly desperate.”
For now, the trend continues unchecked. Leamy said the desperation of aspiring lawyers makes them easy targets, and without stricter rules, the practice will persist.
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