Setting the Record Straight by Morgan Lynch

ADDRESSING THE ASSUMPTIONS PEOPLE MAKE ABOUT LAW STUDENTS

Being a law student means staying up late reading thousands of cases, memorising AGLC referencing requirements, and spending an abnormal amount of time thinking about snails and ginger beer bottles. It also means fielding a constant barrage of well-meaning (and sometimes not so well-meaning) questions from friends and family perplexed by your decision to pursue a career in the legal profession.

So, as a favour to our friends who live outside the law library, I thought I’d take a moment to respond to some common questions and assumptions about studying law I found online, courtesy of SurviveLaw and The Guardian.

Wow…studying law…so that means you reallymust be a good liar aren’t you, and that’s why youwant to be a lawyer?

Ha! Unfortunately, I’m a HORRENDOUS liar! I’m not sure whether it comes from an overactive conscience, a general lack of acting ability or (most likely) a combination of both. It’s one of the many reasons pursuing a career as a poker player or a spy was never really an option for me. Plus, ethically, lawyers are not allowed to lie, so it’s a slight fallacy anyway.

It’s all about the money, isn’t it? Owning thatbeach house and holidaying in France?

I don’t know what rock you’ve been living under for the past two years, but nobody in Australia will be holidaying in France in the foreseeable future. With the pandemic putting everyone’s travel plans on hold, this is a little bit of a hard one to realise. And as for owning a beach house, I’m more worried about whether I’m going to be able to afford to move out of my parents’ house before I’m crushed to death under the weight of my huge HECS debt.

You people are always praying for people to enter trouble. That’s the only way you can make money.

That’s like saying a doctor is always praying for people to get sick. I don’t want my future clients to have legal problems, but I do want to be able to help them solve any problems they do have.

Person who I had just told that I’m not a lawyer: So I need some advice on an immigration issue involving my sister who is trying to obtain PR in Australia.

Okay, slow down. Not only am I not yet qualified to give anyone legal advice, but the law firm I work at as a paralegal specialises in commercial law. That means I know absolutely nothing about immigration issues. And no, I can’t defend your brother who was arrested for drug possession or represent your cousin at her child custody hearing, either. Please go ask an actual lawyer with specialised experience and knowledge for help.

Friend who has been watching too much Law andOrder: Hello Attorney

We knew it was only a matter of time until a well-intended Americanism would pop up, didn’t we? In Australia, lawyers are called “solicitors” or “barristers”, not “attorneys”. I’m kind of disappointed about that, though. Is it just me, or does the word “attorney” sound way cooler? Then again, that may just be because it makes me think of Alicia Florrick, Diane Lockhart and the rest of the attorneys on The Good Wife. (As a side note, you need to update your TV viewing. The Good Wife is far superior to Law and Order. Don’t argue with me on that. It’s a fact.)

Do you want to be a judge?

What a ridiculous question! Not everyone who studies law wants to be a judge. How dare you assume that about me? (Obviously, the answer is yes, though.)

Is studying law boring?

Honestly, it can be sometimes. There are definitely moments where I find my attention drifting, particularly when it’s midnight and I think I’m almost done reading a unanimous High Court judgement only to discover that Justice Kirby actually decided to write a lengthy dissent. (C’mon, Kirby. I’m sure you make some really good points, but I’m sooooooo tired. Can’t you please just agree with the rest of the Court and let me sleep?)

But most of the time, studying law is fascinating. I love learning how legal precedents have developed over time and been applied to solve highly complex problems. The thought that, in a few years, I’ll be one of the lawyers working to interpret and apply the law is incredibly exciting. I can’t wait!