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What did you do to get ahead in your law career ?
#law #lawyer #law-school #career-choice
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Ching’s Answer
In addition to all the wonderful advice already provided in this thread, I would also suggest being open towards any assignment. Certainly, don't be shy to ask for work and ask how you can help on a certain project before help is even requested. The willingness to learn, dedication, and proactiveness are all positive traits to demonstrate an eager mind.
Thank you !
Munyah
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Kent’s Answer
I agree with the other answers provided, and I would emphasize the following from my personal experience: (1) learn as much as you can about the area of law that you want to practice; (2) find a good mentor or two and learn from them (and they may help advance your career); and (3) get as much legal experience as you can and be flexible about the work you do early in your career -- work that isn't glamorous or well compensated (it may not pay any $ at all) can be a stepping stone to getting ahead in your law career. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for your great advice.
Munyah
Updated
David’s Answer
To get ahead in a law career, you must prepare yourself to the following thing such as willing to put in the time (long hours), effort, energy, study and you must be willing do everything beyond your desire. When I pursued in the field of legal and law, I volunteered a lot from working in a law firm to working in a justice center which I spend a lot of time reading, listening, running, and more to understand and learn what I need to be prepare in the field. You will be looking a numerous hours of preparing with a limit of time to rest. The actual work was not interesting at all and there is a lot of other thing you can take on in order to get the feel of the legal/law system and also willingness to take those kinds of unwilling assignments to help you build on your credibility which eventually led to more interesting work. Be a good listener and takes note, you will learn from more experienced attorneys and even support staff. This is a better approach and good practice rather then trying to prove that you already know it all, sometimes acting and being dumb does not hurt you at the moment because you maybe advance than them in certain way once you are really in the system, there you can show them back what you are about.
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Nancy’s Answer
To get ahead in a legal career, you must be willing to put in the time, i.e., long hours, and you must be willing to take the less desirable assignments. In other words, say "yes" to everything you can manage. As a young lawyer, I volunteered to drive long distances to perform document reviews. The actual work was not interesting at all, but someone had to do it. I also agreed to take court appearances that were far away and in off beat locations. I think that my willingness to take those kinds of assignments, helped build my credibility which eventually led to more interesting work, including first chair trial assignments. Be a good listener, and you will learn from more experienced attorneys and even support staff. This is a better approach then trying to prove that you already know it all, which can be off putting and will not likely advance your career,
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Fiona’s Answer
There are many many different areas of law and they are vastly different. When you begin your degree, try to seize every opportunity to try out different areas of law - for example, you can apply to different internships with law firms (international firms will normally specialise in corporate / finance matters, whilst smaller firms may specialise in commercial / family / property matters), try out mini-pupillages with barrister chambers (I am not sure if the system applies where you are, but common law system will distinguish between solicitors and barristers). Try out the different areas and choose something you are good at and are interested in.
Be prepared to work hard. For the first six years of my career I was hardly ever home before mid night. It is tough because the learning curve in many areas is often very steep. But it does get much better after that and it is simply a stage that most lawyers have to go through.
Be prepared to work hard. For the first six years of my career I was hardly ever home before mid night. It is tough because the learning curve in many areas is often very steep. But it does get much better after that and it is simply a stage that most lawyers have to go through.