The world of law has long held a certain prestige and mystique. From advocating for justice in the courtroom as a barrister to navigating complex legal issues as a solicitor, a legal career can be both intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. But before you dive headfirst into law school and clerkship applications, it’s important to take a step back and assess if this path aligns with your unique goals and personality. This article will guide you through essential questions and considerations to help you make an informed decision about whether a career in law is the right fit for you.
Understanding your own interests and values
Passion for the Law
Often a difficult question to answer, a passion or interest for the law can arise in a number of different ways depending on what legal roles you end up taking. For example, the day-to-day activities of a barrister, who needs to prepare briefs and attend court, is very different to the day-to-day activities of a solicitor, who is largely in the office drafting contracts and holding client meetings.
While there is arguably commonality between these roles in that you are often dealing with legal concepts, case law and legal reasoning, the best way to determine whether you have a passion for the legal industry is to experience life as a paralegal or tipstaff and get a better understanding of what you would do as a lawyer in that industry. Other indicators to strengthen your passion in law include if you have an interest in a particular industry or sector that the law is often utilised.
Drive for Advocacy
More targeted at the litigators, barristers or lawyers that delve in matters that often result in litigation, a drive for advocacy can be a great indicator that law is the career for you. If you thrive on advocating for others and fighting for a cause, you may find similarities between that interest and the day-to-day activities of lawyers which often champion their clients’ rights and navigate complex legal battles.
Having an Analytical Mindset
This is an attribute that is needed by most lawyers, regardless of their specific niche or practice area. Having an analytical mindset means that you find enjoyment in dissecting complex situations, analysing vast amounts of information, and building logical arguments. While this is a common trait amongst lawyers, it is not particularly unique to a career in law. In fact, you would find that most roles and most students are analytical and enjoy having such a mindset when approaching issues and solutions. That being said, law takes the analysis a bit further, with case law, legislation and market precedent used to back up legal arguments that are made in the client’s interest. If you enjoy delving into intricate details, identifying patterns, and constructing well-reasoned arguments, this may be a career for you.
Strong Communication Skills
Again, something seen in most roles, lawyers rely heavily on clear and persuasive communication, both written and verbal. This is because most of what lawyers do is providing written or verbal advice on legal issues that the clients are facing. Therefore being able to articulate complex ideas concisely, being comfortable with presenting arguments and negotiating with confidence, is a strength and advantage that will particularly assist you in your legal career.
Understanding the realities of work-life balance as a lawyer
Most students associate being a lawyer with long hours and demanding deadlines. While this is somewhat accurate as client work is driven by tight timeframes and remuneration and performance is dictated through the number of hours you bill, the extra hours that lawyers put into their role is more reflective of their passion in the field and desire to prove themselves in the team rather than being “forced” to do so. Particularly in larger firms, there are usually sufficient resources to delegate or assign work if you are too busy.
In addition, as of late, a lot of Australian law firms and partners have really promoted the importance of having a work-life balance. You will also notice that most firms usually hold various educational and social events and have a number of free amenities that aim to promote convenience for their lawyers and lessen the burden required to carry out their day-to-day activities. That being said, the focus on work-life balance also differs between the different law firms, so it is important for you to have some first-hand experience before deciding whether these hours are sustainable for you in the long term.
The Academic Requirements to become a lawyer
Formal education is a prerequisite for practicing law. Be prepared to invest significant time and resources in obtaining a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree after your undergraduate studies. Law school is an intensive academic program demanding strong research and writing skills. In addition, the legal landscape is constantly evolving. Lawyers must stay abreast of new laws, legal precedents, and technological advancements. If you are a self-motivated learner who enjoys continuous learning and intellectual growth throughout your career, then a career in law could also suit you.