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Do you have an upcoming interview with a firm and want to ask about their climate commitments? To get some clarity on the firm’s work, consider asking:
Do you work with fossil fuel clients? How extensively?
If yes: Do you plan to continue representing fossil fuel companies? If so, to what extent? Do you plan to build out/expand your fossil fuel client base?
How does firm think about fossil fuels work as a long term strategy while the world shifts towards clean energy?
Does the firm work with any renewables or clean energy clients? Is the firm looking to expand in this area?
What kind of work do you do in your renewables space? Is it pro bono or is it billed?
I want my career to be climate positive. Are there billable hours at your firm for doing renewables or clean energy work?
If I get a case I feel is unconscionable for some reason, to what degree can I ask to be swapped to a different assignment?
Has the firm accepted contract clauses allowing applicants to opt out of particular types of work or work for particular clients?
How would the firm support me in building a climate-positive practice?
If they’re a Vault 100 firm, you could also ask about their score on our Scorecard! We hope these are helpful in your interview.
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Qualifying solicitors must always be mindful of whether they’re doing work that supports fossil fuel interests. In the UK, qualifying as a solicitor requires you to complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) as part of the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE) process, making it even more likely that early-career solicitors come into contact with fossil fuel work.
Under the QWE requirements, you need to complete two years of full-time legal experience, but can do it before, during, or after completing the SQE1 and SQE2 exams. The two years can be completed in up to four positions at a variety of types of legal organization. These positions can be:
on placement during a law degree
working or volunteering in a law clinic
at a voluntary or charitable organization or a law centre
working as a paralegal
on a training contract
Your QWE must be confirmed by a solicitor or a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP). They have to either be working in the organization where the QWE is obtained or have direct knowledge of the candidate’s work.
For more information, check out the SRA’s page on QWE
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Are you looking for a law firm that does clean energy and renewables work, but that does not do fossil fuels work? Check back soon for LSCA’s Green List!
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Are you interested in working at a firm that does fossil fuels work, but want to make sure you won’t be put on those cases? Consider asking the firm to incorporate that in your employment contract! We are working to identify firms that would be willing to accept such clauses, as well as language that is most useful. If you’d be interested in supporting that project, please email us at info@ls4ca.org.
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Lawyers Are Responsible has worked alongside UK lawyers to provide information about refusing fossil fuel work. The Opinion covers three areas of activity that individual lawyers can engage in at work:
a. Refusing work connected with fossil fuel extraction in certain circumstances (‘conscientious objection activities’);
b. Blowing the whistle in respect of their employers, clients or third parties in certain circumstances (‘whistleblowing activities’);
c. Exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest outside of their workplace, including where this leads to criminal sanctions (‘protest activities’).