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Why law is a great career

This article was written by Jane Martin.

Why become a lawyer?

Most people immediately think of the financial gains that a legal career can bring. It is true that, if you are prepared to study and work hard, you are likely to be rewarded financially. However, that is not the only reason why a legal career is a great career to follow. Law is very rewarding for many different reasons, and here are some of the non-financial ones: -

You spend your working day helping others

As a lawyer, you work for clients. Whatever area of law you go into, you will be basically be trying to help your client(s) achieve their legal goal(s). This could range from successfully presenting someone’s defence in a criminal case, to negotiating a good deal for your client in a multi-million pound transaction. It is extremely satisfying for you, as a lawyer, to see the positive fruits of your labours.

It’s never boring

No two days are the same: no two clients are the same: no two deals are the same. The one certainty about a lawyer’s day is that there is no certainty!

It’s mentally stimulating

A career in law necessarily means that your little grey cells get a great workout every day. Whether you are dealing with contentious or non-contentious matters, you will be dealing with legal issues, conundrums and problems, and will be actively exploring how these can be resolved within the confines of the law and to the best advantage or your client.

You forge excellent long lasting relationships with fellow colleagues

There is a wonderful professional camaraderie amongst lawyers. Whilst it is predictable that such camaraderie would or should exist between lawyers who work for the same firm, as you share the firm’s goals in common, it exists beyond firm allegiances. Lawyers are generally very supportive of other lawyers, and (provided they are not actually involved in the case in question) are usually happy to discuss issues faced by colleagues.

You get to travel

For all sorts of different reasons, a legal career might involve you travelling around the world.It could be as a result of you going to where your client is based, you going to where the deal has to be concluded, or you going to where a conference you are attending or at which you are speaking is being held. You will get to see parts of the world that you would not otherwise see.

You see a side to life that you would not otherwise experience

Law brings you into daily contact with others who you may not have otherwise met. And into situations that would never arise in your personal life. You might specialise in litigation, and so doing, spend some of your time doing criminal defence work. You could easily find yourself representing someone who has been involved (allegedly) in a large drug importation. You might specialise in trust work, where you will regularly come into contact with individuals who have almost limitless wealth. In either case, as with all other areas of law, you get to see how others live and choose to conduct themselves.

You put something back into the community

All Jersey lawyers fulfil a legal aid role without any funding for 15 years following the date of their qualification. Legal aid is available for people who need legal advice and representation but who may not have the financial resources to instruct a lawyer. A legal aid case can be just as complicated and just as lengthy as any other case. It is done not for financial reward, but because Jersey lawyers are committed to supporting the legal aid scheme.

Hopefully, if you are deliberating on whether to pursue a legal career, this article will have given you encouragement.It’s down to you what you get out of your career. The degree of job and personal satisfaction that you can achieve is dictated largely by the amount of effort you are prepared to put into your career.

Work hard and enjoy!