GENERAL TIPS FOR LAW SCHOOL NICK MALONE
Senior Associate at Pragma Lawyers Enjoy Uni
Don’t be afraid to make the bold choice and go somewhere new and find ‘your’ people who will allow you to thrive in your career. Marks aren’t everything, experience isn’t everything, nothing is everything The leading personality traits most law firms look for today is to competent individuals who fit with the team they are expected to join and who exhibit the capacity to learn and grow.
I’m sure you feel a lot of pressure to get the best grades possible and have 10 firms on your CV before you graduate. In actuality: neither will give you the golden ticket to the job you want. You have hopefully ensured your grades are as good as they can be and you may • The last year of university goes quickly. Hopefully have been lucky enough to clerk whilst you’ve been you’ve enjoyed your time but remember it’s not over studying. However, ensuring you are the right cultural yet. Savour what is left of it; don’t just let it pass you fit is usually the single greatest factor a firm look at in deciding whether to bring on a graduate or not. by; and It might seem odd that in a careers handbook you’re receiving advice to enjoy what is about to come to an end. No matter how you’ve got to the near end of your degree it is important you enjoy what is left of it. This is for two reasons:
• Cement the friendships you have made. Most graduates will go in different directions that may lead them to different firms in Perth, in Australia or overseas. Having a good group of friends from university can help you with getting through the ups and downs of legal practice, whether that be to let some steam off on a Friday or have a ‘brains trust’ from which you can ask questions. The law is full of all types of people, ‘your’ people are out there, you may just have to find them Being offered a graduate role is a truly exciting part of the transition from law school to practice. However, for some, the starting blocks of their careers can be difficult if they find they don’t align
Mentors Mentors can be vital to help you throughout your legal career. The significance of a mentor at the start of your legal career can be huge, especially where you’re only finding your feet in the profession and trying to develop your skills. There are numerous bodies which run mentor programs and I’d highly recommend you join one (or more) of them. Admit Mistakes I hope you don’t make too many mistakes in your career but in what we do, they will happen from time to time. It is largely assistive to develop sound practices that ensure, as a matter of process, you catch mistakes before they have any impact. However, even if you’re able to do this, mistakes will inevitably happen. Own them.
with the people they work with. Most lawyers in Perth are collegiate and welcoming but if you don’t feel like you fit in where you accept a graduate role to, the Everyone who has come before you have made mistakes. Some have made big mistakes and still world is not over. have gone on to have exceptional careers in the law, The law is full of different personalities, including rock including as Silks and Judges. Acknowledging that performers, athletes or vintners, whom all engage in everyone makes mistakes can be important in ensuring a range of exciting, interesting areas of work. It may you own yours. Speak up when you make them and be the area of law for you is right but you just ‘click’ seek guidance. Most senior members of the profession better with another team. Or, it may be the area of law will not (contrary to what you might think) turn the world you thought you were interested in, you in fact find very upside because of the mistake. unfulfilling. They will work with you to correct the mistake and help you get better. 220
