Law offers you a broad range of experiences and with enough experience, it could be one of the best-paid professions. Also it gives an opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and tackle different kinds of situations. Lawyers strategize on some of the most critical cases faced by their clients. It promises a structured career path for growth and development.Law offers you a broad range of experiences and with enough experience, it could be one of the best-paid professions. Also it gives an opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and tackle different kinds of situations. Lawyers strategize on some of the most critical cases faced by their clients. It promises a structured career path for growth and development.
Being a lawyer can be a tough, but rewarding job. The competition is high, and both breaking into and maintaining your position in law can be rigorous. But with enough experience, you can have handsome financial gains and social and professional recognition. So before entering the sector it’s important to understand not only do you have the
appropriate skill sets, but also how well it fits your personality.
What is a Lawyer?
Working as a lawyer involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individual or organizational problems. Many of those entering the profession work their way up through the ranks from newly qualified solicitor to associate to partner. The law aspirants not only figure themselves in courts but mark the presence in various corporate houses, law agencies, law firms, litigation, administrative services and many more. After successful course competition, you can find yourself in any of the law firms, corporate houses, etc. You can practice as individual practitioner or a public prosecutor. It will depend on your interest as you grow up with the course of your choice.
Typically a lawyer engages in the following activities:
- Evaluation. Lawyers evaluate the different cases by meeting clients and finding out their needs. You need to get as much details as possible from different sources especially your clients.
- Law Research. You need to do research about the relevant areas of law to find the legal solutions in the case.
- Proposal. Lawyers also propose courses of action to clients. You have to be very sure about the pros and cons of your actions.
- Legal Documentation. Your work will also include drafting letters, contracts and other legal documents.
- Recommendations. Advise clients on the law and the strength of their case. As you are the expert in law, you can help your clients in smaller legal issues.
- Client Representation. Representing clients in court, including presenting the case and cross-examining witnesses.
- Negotiations. Negotiating settlements with the other side when a legal dispute is resolved privately outside of court.
Industries Where Lawyers Are Found
At the broadest level, you can divide lawyers between those doing commercial work (i.e. work for companies) and those involved with individuals. In addition to the traditional branches such as civil, criminal, corporate, taxation, labor and election law, there are new areas, including space, cyber, intellectual property, and international laws. You could specialize in a particular area depending on your interest and inclination. Let’s also look into some of the more popular options.
- Human rights. This practice area is incredibly wide ranging and includes immigration and asylum cases, privacy cases affecting celebrities and international law issues. Clients may range from low-income refugees and prisoners to large news organizations and government departments.
- Intellectual property. It involves protecting the exploitation of intellectual ideas, normally by way of copyright, trademarks and patents. IP lawyers advise on issues ranging from commercial exploitation to infringement disputes, and agreements that deal either exclusively with intellectual property or with IP rights as part of larger commercial transactions.
- Private client lawyers advise on all aspects of the financial affairs of clients, including capital gains tax, inheritance tax planning, setting up lifetime trusts and preparing wills. Private client lawyers also handle a wide range of charity work.
- Public law concerns relationships between people and government. This might mean challenging the level of care provided to a disabled person by a local authority, or on a larger scale, advising the government on national infrastructure development, such as a new energy or transport project.
- Criminal Defense lawyers help defend people accused of committing a crime against prosecution by the government, with the goal of reducing their sentencing or helping them stay out of jail. The crimes handled by criminal defense lawyers range from small offenses such as shoplifting to more serious crimes such as DUI, drug trafficking, assault and battery, or even murder.
- Family Lawyer handles anything having to do with direct family issues. Sometimes this includes estate or family planning, but usually family lawyers handle things like divorce, custody battles, prenuptial agreements, and other issues surrounding marriage and children.
There are numerous other kinds of lawyers specializing in different fields. Most prominent of them are employment and labor lawyer, estate planning lawyer, traffic lawyer, personal injury lawyer, civil litigation lawyer, digital media & internet lawyer, and immigration lawyer.
Skills & Talents Required
As you grow, gain experience and evolve as a lawyer, you will gain more expertise and reputation in your specialization. We are focusing on entry-level requirements and skills that are required when you start your career as a lawyer.
- Reasoning Ability.
- Ability to Multi-Task.
- Team Work.
- Strong Communication Skills.
- Flexible But Attentive Mind.
- Keen Listening and Good Orating Skills.
A combination of both communication skills and convincing ability will provide the right balance to excel as a lawyer. It takes time to establish yourself and prosper in this field but once you have established your credentials, it can be thought of as a leader in your specialization. Then you can also earn a lot and be financially strong.
Is It Right For Me?
Before you jump into recruitment phase, take your time and consider these factors:
- Internal Evaluation. Take a step back and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Do you like to jump into an argument and can convince other people on the basis of facts? Are you comfortable with presenting ideas to a large group of people and defend it in order to prove its credibility? Look at the expectations the law field demands and truthfully answer if those are a match for you.
- Do Your Homework. Even though you believe you have the required skills, aptitude, attitude that lawyers should possess, dig deeper. What are your core competencies and strengths? For example, the work model for some specializations in law is to meet with a number of clients and solve as many cases as possible whereas in others you work as a permanent lawyer to all the small issues. Identify the type which is the ideal fit for you.
- Speak to People in the Industry. If you have friends or family members who are lawyers, talk to them about their experiences. Ask them about both the positive and negative elements they have faced. Understand what their career trajectory and if possible spend a few days shadowing them to get a complete understanding of the work.
- Summer Internship. If you are still in college or school, then spend a summer interning with a lawyer. This is an ideal way for you to understand the true dynamics of a consulting firm.
Law as a career provides you broad based exposure; it hones in on both your judgement and communication skills, provides a platform to work with a range of clients, industries and companies. However, due to the diversity and intensity of the role, it can also be a very challenging career. It’s important to thoroughly do your research and ideally an internship, before making your career choice.
