The Little Careers Book

࢚࢚ Law is among the most varied and interesting careers, depending on the scope of work you are willing to take on. ࢚࢚ Contrary to popular belief, many lawyers are attracted to the law to help people, right wrongs and improve the world. ࢚࢚ Expect to work long hours, under pressure, as clients can be very demanding. ࢚࢚ The first several years in law involve lots of work for comparatively little reward. ࢚࢚ Lawyers are regularly required to take client calls early in the morning or late at night, and there can be an expectation to be available at weekends. ࢚࢚ Work-life balance is generally not good, but usually better at regional firms or in-house companies, especially outside London. ࢚࢚ Hobbies? Forget them. Girlfriend/boyfriend? You’ll only find them at work. Free at weekends? Occasionally. ࢚࢚ Partners in commercial firms and leading barristers make a mint, but it requires a lot of very hard work and a bit of luck. ࢚࢚ If you want to make money for money’s sake, do not enter into the legal profession; there are easier ways. ࢚࢚ Salaries of London lawyers are high, but so are their costs of living. ࢚࢚ Lawyers who become partners do so because of their professional profile, client following, billing figures and abilities. TRUTHS XX All lawyers – regardless of the kind of work you do or where you work – are rich. XX If you want to be a successful solicitor or barrister, you need to work in London. XX Only certain personality types succeed in law. XX If you’re quite a creative person, law probably won’t suit you. XX To be a successful lawyer, you need to be a borne leader, confident and bullish. ࢚࢚ Law is a highly regulated profession and both clients and the wider public need to have faith in the personal integrity of those practicing it. ࢚࢚ You need a personality that is calm under pressure, measured and balanced. ࢚࢚ Know your limitations. Tell clients when you don’t know something and then do your research so you don’t end up on the receiving end of a negligence claim. ࢚࢚ Law covers such a variety of roles; any personality type can find a job to suit. ࢚࢚ All law firms and businesses need lawyers with different personalities/interests. ࢚࢚ Different areas of law suit different personalities. For example, the work of a litigator who likes the cut and thrust of court cases, the methodical property lawyer or the sympathetic and understanding family lawyer. ࢚࢚ You need a principled personality because lawyers have a duty to justice and frequently act as a ‘conscience’ to their clients. ࢚࢚ The biggest single mistake graduates make at interview is to big themselves up to show lots of self-confidence and strength of personality. MYTHS MYTHS TRUTHS REWARDS AND SACRIFICES PERSONALITY TRAITS