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Be a lawyer they said! It will be fun they said! You will be rich they said!
The legal profession is tough and will demand every inch of your soul.
Here’s a few tips on how to get ahead:
- pick the ‘right’ law school
- do some vacation work
- join a meaningful society
The legal profession is tough and will demand every inch of your soul.
Here’s a few tips on how to get ahead:
- pick the ‘right’ law school
- do some vacation work
- join a meaningful society
- have a great CV
- be prepared to work
- learn to speak confidently no matter the number of people in the room
- be prepared to work
- learn to speak confidently no matter the number of people in the room
Right Law School
Its unspoken, we don’t like it, but there is a hierarchy in law schools, just as there is with universities - prestige counts.
Its unspoken, we don’t like it, but there is a hierarchy in law schools, just as there is with universities - prestige counts.
Candidates from the best universities tend to get the ‘first look’ at the application phase and competition is stiff. Only 1/3 law students eventually graduate. Of those who graduate, they walk into a very competitive and saturated market. Find ways to differentiate yourself.
Getting in to the ‘right’ university is just the start.
Once there, get great marks, build relationships (these are future colleagues and more importantly clients) and ensure that you find ways to stand out.
Once there, get great marks, build relationships (these are future colleagues and more importantly clients) and ensure that you find ways to stand out.
Be carefully though going to the ‘best’ law school will not automatically determine your success but gives you a leg up for articles and future roles, even starting your own practice.
There’s a certain jenesequa about saying: “I went to Wits.”
There’s a certain jenesequa about saying: “I went to Wits.”
Vacation Work
This doesn’t need to be at a ‘fancy firm’ with a ‘fancy vacation program’. Any work related to the law to help give you insight and help train interacting with clients is important. Watch an learn, you are not a Harvey Specter protege.
This doesn’t need to be at a ‘fancy firm’ with a ‘fancy vacation program’. Any work related to the law to help give you insight and help train interacting with clients is important. Watch an learn, you are not a Harvey Specter protege.
Doing vacation work will also show you have some initiative. If there are no law firms close by do something else that is productive and can be added onto your CV.
Vacation work will also help you gain practical experience not found in the classroom. Trust me, there’s no module on section 45 resolutions, closing certificates or even Rule 43 applications.
Society
Join a society that makes sense ie the law society or its sub committee’s. This shows you are able to juggle multiple tasks and will help you learn to engage with people where views are not the same.
Join a society that makes sense ie the law society or its sub committee’s. This shows you are able to juggle multiple tasks and will help you learn to engage with people where views are not the same.
Great CV
I cannot stress this enough. Ensure that your CV doesn’t have unnecessary information:
- keep it simple, clean and to the point
- use a consistent font
- no spelling errors
- leave out your dogs name, even hobby
I cannot stress this enough. Ensure that your CV doesn’t have unnecessary information:
- keep it simple, clean and to the point
- use a consistent font
- no spelling errors
- leave out your dogs name, even hobby
Work
Be prepared to work. Lawyers charge by the minute!
“The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Harvey Specter
Also there are no working hours or overtime. Lawyers serve the needs and expectations of clients and die at the altar of transactions.
Be prepared to work. Lawyers charge by the minute!
“The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Harvey Specter
Also there are no working hours or overtime. Lawyers serve the needs and expectations of clients and die at the altar of transactions.
Be prepared to sacrifice everything in the formative years of your career because learning and up skilling yourself comes through time spent doing actually work. This doesn’t mean don’t take care of yourself though just that an even balance early on is not possible.
Ok, I may have lied on the money You may make some money (if your lucky enough) or a decent living but this is not guaranteed and there are no short cuts - leave client funds alone!
You may make some money (if your lucky enough) or a decent living but this is not guaranteed and there are no short cuts - leave client funds alone!
