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What advice would help me aspiring to be a lawyer?
What are some things I can do in high school to help me become a lawyer in the future? #lawyer #law
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5 answers
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Randolph’s Answer
I would say the best thing you can do in high school (and undergraduate studies) with your eye toward the law is focus on improving your writing skills. The ability to write intelligently is a powerful tool to have regardless of what profession you finally end up in.
With law, it’s about your ability to focus on the issue at hand and deliver your message using the facts to the best of your client’s position.
I think one of the best undergraduate classes I took was one that had to do with logical thinking. It sounds simple, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. I’ve heard many times “This person should be an attorney because he/she is always arguing.” That’s not an attorney. That’s someone who will need an attorney. I’d rather hear “This person should be an attorney because he/she always takes the time to take in all the facts, thinks logically, and comes up with a reasoned response that makes sense.” That sounds like an attorney. So working on that skill will help you tremendously.
I hope that helps. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do!!
Updated
Randolph’s Answer
I would say the best thing you can do in high school (and undergraduate studies) with your eye toward the law is focus on improving your writing skills. The ability to write intelligently is a powerful tool to have regardless of what profession you finally end up in.
With law, it’s about your ability to focus on the issue at hand and deliver your message using the facts to the best of your client’s position.
I think one of the best undergraduate classes I took was one that had to do with logical thinking. It sounds simple, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. I’ve heard many times “This person should be an attorney because he/she is always arguing.” That’s not an attorney. That’s someone who will need an attorney. I’d rather hear “This person should be an attorney because he/she always takes the time to take in all the facts, thinks logically, and comes up with a reasoned response that makes sense.” That sounds like an attorney. So working on that skill will help you tremendously.
I hope that helps. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do!!
With law, it’s about your ability to focus on the issue at hand and deliver your message using the facts to the best of your client’s position.
I think one of the best undergraduate classes I took was one that had to do with logical thinking. It sounds simple, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. I’ve heard many times “This person should be an attorney because he/she is always arguing.” That’s not an attorney. That’s someone who will need an attorney. I’d rather hear “This person should be an attorney because he/she always takes the time to take in all the facts, thinks logically, and comes up with a reasoned response that makes sense.” That sounds like an attorney. So working on that skill will help you tremendously.
I hope that helps. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do!!
Updated
Richard’s Answer
I'm not sure your stage of education at this point, but I would say: choose an undergraduate degree or minor with some writing. My wife is a lawyer, and she chose History because 1) she enjoyed it and 2) it would give her practice writing to prep for law school. Once in law school, try to spend your summers at internships in areas where you might be interested. There are many kinds of law, and the options are endless. Find an area you are actually interested in pursuing based on whether you want more speaking (litigation) or more writing (like briefs). Court trials are rare these days because of mediation, but there are still some areas involving public speaking than others. Be prepared to study hard. Mastering new legal concepts and laws isn't easy.
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Sarah,
While you are still in high school, you should get involved in student government or groups like a yearbook committee. You want to demonstrate leadership and good communication skills. You also will need good writing skills and above average grades, so concentrate on your school work. As you get older, you could also intern or work part time in a law office to immerse yourself in the legal field and see what type of law interest you.
Best of Luck!
Lisa
While you are still in high school, you should get involved in student government or groups like a yearbook committee. You want to demonstrate leadership and good communication skills. You also will need good writing skills and above average grades, so concentrate on your school work. As you get older, you could also intern or work part time in a law office to immerse yourself in the legal field and see what type of law interest you.
Best of Luck!
Lisa
Updated
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). I started off thinking I would be suited for litigious work, but after one summer at barrister chambers, I discovered it is definitely not something I am suited to. I then applied for international firms and discovered that Banking and Finance is my area. Transactional work is very different to litigious work generally.
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.