Cassidy Bishop Cassidy Bishop, Career Advice
The first question I am frequently asked is "where is the East Midlands"? The East Midlands consists of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. The region is home to over 4.5 million people, with Leicester being the largest city in the region. From being home to the fairy-tale hero Robin Hood and the location of the first factory in the world, the East Midlands is rich in heritage.
So, here are my 3 great reasons to pursue your legal career in the East Midlands:
- A diverse range of firms and opportunities
The East Midlands is blessed with a broad variety of law firms, from specialist boutiques to international firms such as Eversheds. Furthermore, and notably, the top 100 do not dominate the legal landscape in the East Midlands, with top 200 firms frequently appearing in the top tiers. For example, Howes Percival is tier 1 for corporate and commercial in Leicestershire and Geldards is tier 1 for commercial property in Nottinghamshire.
As a result, lawyers can choose from an eclectic mix of successful firms to pursue their career, without compromising on the quality of work. Furthermore, with many teams in the East Midland being smaller than teams elsewhere, lawyers can gain greater Partner contact and client exposure. We therefore see lawyers staying with firms longer, progressing faster and achieving more rapid pay progression than might typically be the case elsewhere.
- Quality of Life
The East Midlands offers outstanding countryside including the Derbyshire Dales, provides opportunities to visit charming market towns such as Market Harborough and showcases lively cosmopolitan cities such as Nottingham.
Lawyers typically work less hours than their bigger city counterparts, have less stressful commutes and benefit from affordable house prices, in often idyllic rural locations. The East Midlands is therefore a "hidden gem" for those professionals seeking a fulfilling career without compromising on quality of life. Finally, in many instances, salaries in the East Midlands rival those of the West Midlands (e.g. Birmingham) and the Northern Home Counties.
- Geographic location
Based centrally in the United Kingdom, the East Midlands offers fantastic access to the whole of the UK and Europe with its excellent transport links. For example, London is only 1 hour and 2 minutes away from Leicester by train. Derby is less than 2 hours away from the scenic Yorkshire Dales for a leisurely weekend away. Cheap flights to Dublin take just over one hour from the highly accessible East Midlands Airport. The East Midlands is consequently a superb place to base yourself if mobility is a high priority.
To discuss your career and the wealth of opportunity in the East Midlands further, please feel free to contact me by emailing cassidybishop@taylorroot.com.
