Tips and advice: Career Q&A with legal locums

Are you a legal candidate considering a locum role or thinking about moving into the world of locum work? Maybe you would benefit from some advice and expertise from experienced locum professionals.

I have conversations with candidates daily that are in a similar position, or that have certainly been in a similar position, unsure of moving into private sector legal locum work.

Historically, locum work was a prevalent option for experienced or older legal professionals who were looking for a way to take on short-term contract work during the latter stages of their careers.

However, in the current marketplace, locum work is being increasingly recognised as a viable long-term career path, even for solicitors in the earlier stages of their careers, who are still in the prime of their professional lives.

Here, we have spoken to a number of locums from different areas of the profession, getting their expertise and advice for those delving into a career in locum work.

Locum Residential Conveyancer

Q: Why did you decide to become a legal locum?

I was a Partner when I was made redundant. My last firm employed a couple of locums and when it was clear that the office was closing, I asked them about why they did locum work. After hearing their stories, I decided to become a locum myself.

Q: What type of professional and personal skills do you need to have to be successful as a locum?

I think you need to be open minded. Each company will be different. They will have different work procedures and no two firms operate the same.

It helps to have a varied knowledge and skillset to do locum work. Also, I think you need to be approachable to other team members as sometimes colleagues come to you with enquiries they would not ask their manager.

Q: Do you think there has been a shift in hybrid and remote positions? If so, why?

Yes, since Covid-19 companies seem to be more open to hybrid and remote working. Also, firms have had to adapt to home working which has shifted the marketplace to be more open to home/work/life balance.

Q: How has Sellick Partnership assisted with your locum career?

Sellick Partnership has helped me considerably. You are my go-to when I need work. I recommend you to anyone in my position, both as a locum and wanting a locum.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into locum work?

Just to have say one or two agencies finding you work rather than signing up to as many as you can. Be open minded and flexible. Do not take a job and not turn up as it is very bad for the agency and bad for them as a locum.

Ensure you know where you are going and where to park and the hours.

Locum Residential Conveyancer

Q: Why did you decide to become a legal locum?

I was made redundant during the bank collapse in 2008. There were so many conveyancers on the dole, and firms were either closing or unsure of the future. I found that the firms did not want permanent staff as their future looked uncertain.

I had taken positions throughout my career in as many fields as I had come across because I enjoyed learning new things. It eventually proved to be the best thing I could do as it was useful to have experience in more unusual fields, such as shared ownership or help to buy.

Q: What type of professional and personal skills do you need to have to be successful as a locum?

It is necessary to have extremely good IT skills and respect for the person that you are covering for, this means not trying to make changes and reinvent the wheel because that person will come back to the permanent position.

You need to be able to reassure clients and make them feel that they are in good hands. Be able to get on with different people and a range of colleagues at different levels.

Knowing how to break the ice with people by finding something in common such as children or their interests is also a great skill.

Q: Do you think there has been a shift in hybrid and remote positions? If so, why?

There has been a shift to working from home in general, but I have found that it is not easy. Discussing technical or difficult cases with colleagues can be hard by telephone or email.

It feels like a barrier to smooth working. There are positive aspects of both working full-time in the office and fully remote working. Hybrid may be the answer, but I have not experienced this yet.

Q: How has Sellick Partnership assisted with your locum career?

Whilst I have been with Sellick Partnership, they have helped me find assignments which are all over the Country. Some close to home and some no so close. Since I was made redundant in 2008 I have not stopped working as a locum. The people at Sellick are always very helpful and quickly find the next assignment within hours.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into locum work?

I would advise anyone considering doing locum work to be confident in their technical skills.

Residential/Commercial Property Locum

Q: Why did you decide to become a legal locum?

I became a locum to give myself the freedom and flexibility of not being tied in a contract. I have a small child with autism and being a locum allows me the flexibility I need, should I require it.

Q: What type of professional and personal skills do you need to have to be successful as a locum?

In my opinion I would say above all is the ability to adapt to any environment. There are so many different companies that have different ways of working, so to adapt to that in a short amount of time is key. Being very easy to get on with and being professional at your job is essential. Be remembered is key!

Q: Do you think there has been a shift in hybrid and remote positions? If so, why?

I feel since the pandemic it has shown the whole world that we can still work at full capacity without being tied to an office desk five days a week. This in turn helps both the employer in cutting office costs and the employee in flexibility and time. I feel it's a shift for the good!

Q: How has Sellick Partnership assisted with your locum career?

Sellick have been amazing for me! Always contactable should I have anything to discuss with them. Sellick have always found me positions and provided me with nothing but support in a professional and efficient manner. Could not recommend them highly enough.

Locum Residential Conveyancer

Q: Why did you decide to become a legal locum?

I decided to become a legal locum because I wanted the flexibility of being able to choose when I work, to some degree. A friend and former colleague suggested that she thought it would suit me, so when I was unhappy in a previous position I decided to take the step.

Q: What type of professional and personal skills do you need to have to be successful as a locum?

To be successful I believe you need to be legally able, adaptable, conscientious, keen to help and happy to muck in. I think being IT literate is a huge help too.

Q: Do you think there has been a shift in hybrid and remote positions? If so, why?

Yes, it appears so. I believe it started with Covid-19, and once fee earners and firms saw the benefits, it grew.

If it encourages good quality staff then I can see the reason why firms adapt to it, along with the eventual decrease in capital overheads. Clients attending the office used to be normal, however its now perfectly acceptable for all correspondence to be dealt with electronically.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into locum work?

Be prepared to not have work on occasion. Try to arrange a financial cushion to protect you to cover your outgoings if there are slack weeks.

Property Locum

Q: Why did you decide to become a legal locum?

Initially it was a way to get to know and be known by local firms, with a view to securing a permanent role. However, I have since turned down several permanent roles, as locum work suits me better.

Q: What type of professional and personal skills do you need to have to be successful as a locum?

I pride myself on fitting in with the team I’m placed with at any given time, adapting to their way of working and communicating. Being able to quickly and effectively navigate systems and ask questions when needed is essential to getting this right.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into locum work?

Join a good agency and ensure you are available for work, especially in the first couple of years, while you’re getting established. Do the best job possible; think what you would like to come back to, if you were the person you were covering. More importantly, try to think what THEY would like to come back to.

For more advice on the legal locum market within the private sector, get in touch with Sellick Partnership here. You can also visit our Legal sector recruitment page to find out more about our process and services, or explore our online resources to get further insights.