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06 January 2011 / Peter Nussey
Issue: 7447 / Categories: Features , Training & education , Profession , Technology
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Mind the gap!

Peter Nussey explains how to help bridge the gap between training & work

The move from academic challenge to pragmatic application is probably the most significant migration of a junior lawyer’s career. Having completed the training contract, the responsibility that is placed on junior lawyers can be  significant. While no longer a trainee, but still very much in training, they often face difficult legal challenges without the breadth of experience to handle them confidently.

The introduction of e-learning products, such as LexisMentor, which seeks to encourage confidence and independence in junior lawyers, frees up the fee-earner’s time by allowing junior lawyers to have ever-ready support for their decisions. The reality of this style of learning is the acceleration of junior lawyers from routine work to high value tasks, giving law firms speedier return on their investment.

It can be extremely important to a junior lawyer to see both their firm and team demonstrating commitment to their development, although clearly this is often a difficult balancing act alongside partner’s billable time. 

It is hoped that most partners would not want to leave their

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly

Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly

Gateley Legal expands Midlands residential development team

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

NEWS
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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