The sort of person who would be a good legal academic: they love the law; they read a lot (actual cases, not just the textbook); they can achieve a lot without a boss cracking the whip or patting their head (because your life becomes very self-directed with minimal external validation); they enjoy public speaking; they care more about making a difference than making dolleridoos. What role do universities play in the legal profession? Well, they provide the product which forms the academic pre-requisites to entering the profession. We are de facto gatekeepers. We begin the training but a lot of it—or most of it— happens in practice. We also deliver the profession a hospital handpass in the amount of grads we pump out. A lot of people disagree with me on this. Anyway, for my view, check out the Alternative Law Journal on ‘Australia’s Law Graduate Glut’. Is there anything you believe that students should know as they take steps towards their careers in law? The job is the means to the end. The ‘end’ is eudaimonia. It is your best life. Your best life may not follow that coveted clerkship or that coveted grad job. You could be a career academic with a sweet gig at Oxford and still depressed as hell. Figure out whatever happiness means to you then go after it hard. Don’t feel restricted by others’ versions of ‘success’. For example: commercial lawyers have a habit of justifying their career path as the only legitimate career path; transparently defending their fragile sense of identity. Don’t fall into that trap. Alternative answer: (*Admiral Ackbar voice*) IT’S A TRAP!
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