Who is Jason?
Jason is a former Metropolitan Police detective who is now completing his training contract at an international law firm. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and travelling with his family.
We spoke to Jason about leaving policing, securing a training contract and the value that career changers can bring to law.
Did Jason Always Want to Become a Detective?
Becoming a detective was never part of Jason’s original career plan.
He was working in retail when he came across a Metropolitan Police recruitment stand and decided to put his name down. Despite entering policing almost by chance, Jason found the experience invaluable and developed skills that would later support his move into law.
Why Did Jason Leave the Police?
Jason sometimes found that what he believed was the right course of action conflicted with internal targets and organisational politics. He found those competing pressures increasingly difficult to reconcile.
Before he reached 30, he began considering whether he wanted to remain in policing for another three decades. He ultimately decided that he did not and moved into the insurance industry.
After spending approximately six years working in insurance, Jason decided to pursue a career as a solicitor.
What Skills Did Jason Take from Policing into Law?
Jason highlighted two skills from policing that have been particularly valuable during his legal career.
Resilience
As a detective, Jason regularly worked long hours with limited resources. He had to find practical solutions while balancing the needs of victims, suspects, the courts and other organisations within the criminal justice system.
His experience taught him how to remain focused when circumstances were difficult and solutions were not immediately available. That resilience also helped him navigate the setbacks involved in pursuing a legal career.
Communication
Jason communicated with people from many different backgrounds, including victims, suspects and colleagues. Some were distressed, frustrated or openly critical, which taught him to remain calm and adapt his approach to the person in front of him.
He also worked regularly with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This required him to organise the evidence gathered during an investigation and present it clearly so that prosecutors could understand the case and decide how it should proceed.
Solicitors must similarly identify the important information within a matter and explain it clearly to clients, colleagues and other parties.
Why Did Jason Choose Insurance Law?
Jason was drawn to insurance law because it was an industry he already understood.
His six years in insurance gave him an insight into how insurance businesses operate and some of the commercial issues they face. This provided a natural connection between his previous career and the legal work he wanted to pursue.
How Did a Mentor Help Jason Secure a Training Contract?
Jason did not secure a training contract during his first application cycle. However, he believed he already had a strong foundation and needed an extra nudge to build his confidence and refine his applications.
He found that support through a retired solicitor who had previously worked at the international law firm he has now joined.
Jason’s advice to anyone considering mentorship is “buyer beware”. Before committing, he researched the mentor and met him to ensure that his experience and approach suited Jason’s needs. Applicants should take the same care and avoid assuming that every mentor or paid service will provide the right support.
The mentor did not create Jason’s story or do the work for him. He helped Jason present his existing experience with greater clarity and confidence.
What Has Jason Enjoyed About His Training Contract?
The biggest positive for Jason has been that every day gives him another opportunity to learn. Completing seats in different departments has allowed him to experience several practice areas and develop a clearer understanding of the work he enjoys.
Jason is currently more drawn to litigation, but he advises aspiring lawyers not to put themselves into a box too early. Even within insurance, lawyers can handle disputes, advise clients on whether a policy provides cover and help businesses understand potential risks. He therefore approached every seat with an open mind. A practice area can feel very different in practice from how it appears online or at university.
Jason has also valued the support provided by his firm. However, he noted that the level of support available to trainees differs between firms. Applicants should research how firms supervise and develop their trainees rather than focusing only on salary and headline work.
What Advice Would Jason Give Career Changers?
Jason’s main advice to career changers is not to underplay their previous experience. Skills, judgement and industry knowledge developed outside law can strengthen what they bring to the profession.
Rather than simply listing past responsibilities, applicants should use clear examples to show what they learnt and how it would help them as solicitors. Presented effectively, a different professional background can become an advantage rather than a weakness.