Recent graduates of schools, thinking about choosing a future profession, often dream of entering a law school. Specifically, they are attracted to the profession of "lawyer". It is considered very prestigious, and in addition, quite profitable. True, many have developed a somewhat distant view of advocacy. So what is really behind this path?
Do not confuse specialties
At first, young people should decide whether they want to become lawyers or are aimed at obtaining the title of lawyer.
The profession of “lawyer” has a number of significant differences from the profession of a lawyer. First of all, a lawyer does not have the right to be directly employed by a particular company, organization or institution. He is obliged to maintain an independent opinion. The lawyer, on the contrary, works at the enterprise, taking full responsibility for the conduct of business and upholding the interests of his employer. And in his work, a company lawyer is obliged to follow the instructions of the senior management.
A lawyer is a person who provides comprehensive legal assistance. And it doesn’t matter if we are talking about citizens or organizations. The lawyer defends and protects the rights of all, not following the instructions of unauthorized persons, but guided exclusively by law and his own duty.
The legal profession “lawyer” is the so-called free profession. As a freelance journalist or private practitioner. This situation has a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages. And those who are consciously aimed at obtaining the status of an independent legal adviser should be prepared for the difficulties that are inevitable at the initial stage.
Description of the profession “lawyer”
So that later there is no disappointment in the chosen path, thoroughly examine your future occupation. Above, we have already mentioned some specific features of the profession. Now let's dwell on its contents.
So, the relevant Russian law makes it clear who in our country belongs to the cohort of lawyers. These include people with a specialized legal education, as well as successfully passing qualification tests established by the regulations, giving the right to be assigned the status of a lawyer.
Advocacy includes the provision of advice on the protection of rights. That is, this is the issuance of written or oral inquiries, clarifications on various problems of the clients who contacted him.
A professional lawyer is required to correctly compose complaints, petitions, statements and other documents.
But, perhaps, the main thing in the activities of this specialist is the representation of interests. And here it is necessary to separate those who specialize in civil matters and those who deal with criminal matters. A lawyer may be a representative in administrative legal proceedings, constitutional and arbitration. He can protect the client at the execution stage. Even in tax matters, a lawyer's consultation does not hinder.
Lawyers have their own associations. For example, a college of lawyers, a law office, legal advice, a law office.
Personal qualities of a lawyer
Before applying for law with the dream of becoming a lawyer, think about whether you have the necessary personal qualities.
You must be persuasive. You
you will have to carefully understand the intricacies of laws, read a lot of documents, sit for a long time on various pieces of paper. And they themselves will need to make up a huge amount of papers. So literacy is simply a must.
Good memory and impeccable logic are required. Lawyers often enter the process at the investigation stage. Therefore, analytical skills are also necessary for you.
You will have to speak in court, therefore, we develop the talent of a skilled speaker in ourselves.
Sociability. Where without the ability to talk to a person. Moreover, you need the ability not only to speak for yourself, but also the ability to listen and hear people.
Features of the profession of a lawyer impose other imprints on the character. You will need to learn the skill of abstracting. Emotions will need to be kept in check. Give primacy to the mind.
And do not get anywhere from a bit of riskiness. But this applies to representatives of any free profession.
Advantages of the profession
Let's look at the undoubted advantages of the profession of a lawyer. Here we include:
- Independence. You yourself, without any instructions from above, plan your own workload, determine the range of tasks, solve issues with payment. It is unlikely that a person working on a company’s staff can boast of such freedom.
- The salary of a lawyer is determined solely by his talent, experience and reputation. Beginners in the profession, of course, at first are content with modest amounts of remuneration, but after they earn the image of highly qualified specialists, they themselves will appoint a fee.
- This area of activity is considered to be very prestigious, lawyers are respected, and over time they acquire the necessary connections, increasing their authority.
- Being a member of one or another association of lawyers, a specialist receives professional support and assistance from colleagues.
Of course, in order to achieve the above bonuses, you need to work hard for a long time.
About the disadvantages
As in any field, advocacy is not without a fly in the ointment. Not to say that she is so big.
So, the disadvantages of the profession of a lawyer:
- A lawyer has to deduct a certain amount from his fee to meet the needs of his professional association and to insure his liability. This duty is assigned to beginners.
- Any lawyer is required to pay an entry fee.
- Until the newcomer has earned a reputation, he has to play the role of a free defender in the process or sit on low-paying cases. No one will entrust him with a difficult commission. Yes, and customers will be wary of a young specialist.
- Not everyone who comes into this profession reaches a high standard. Some do not stand up and give up their careers.
About the benefits of education
To obtain the status of a lawyer, it is necessary to have completed higher education. Of course, legal.
People with incomplete legal or secondary education are accepted as assistants. To get practice, not bad. But for further advancement, it is nevertheless necessary to obtain a law degree.
Internship
University graduates must go through an internship. The profession of “lawyer” is too responsible for a beginner to understand its subtleties on the fly.
The internship period varies from a year to two years. The intern goes under the guidance of an experienced specialist. There are also limitations regarding the latter. A mentor should have experience - at least five years of practice. Only then can he take interns.
The intern concludes an employment contract with the board, but does not have the right to independently conduct business. He only fulfills the instructions of his mentor.
Obtaining Status
After completing the internship, you will need to collect documents for passing qualification exams. The profession of a lawyer involves gaining official status. It gives you the opportunity to independently take and conduct business, represent the client in court, advise.
Documents are studied by a special commission. She will check the information that you provide. After checking, you should be on hand to pass the qualification exam.
Then you will need to pass the exam itself. Here are tests and oral assignments. It is better to immediately prepare for "excellent." Otherwise, the retake will have to wait a whole year.
If the exam is passed, then the commission assigns you the status of a lawyer. You take the oath. You are now a member of the Bar.
The status obtained with such difficulty is lifelong. To stop it, you will need to write a statement. The grounds for termination may be the disability of a lawyer, his commission of an act that discriminates against him, failure to perform duties. Status can be deprived for a crime, for providing false information to the commission.
About the college
Now a little about what a college of lawyers is.
Lawyers unite and form their own professional organizations. They are non-profit, and therefore their activity should not be aimed at making a profit. The purpose of creating a college is the provision of legal assistance.
It must be remembered that lawyers are members of the board. Employees are only hired business and administrative staff.
The creation of a college greatly facilitates the solution of issues of financial reporting and taxation.
If after studying the material you still have a desire to become a lawyer, then begin to move towards the goal. And keep in mind that you will have to study all your life. It will be necessary to constantly develop your professional and personal skills, monitor changes in legislation, and be aware of new methods of protection. Only then can you build a worthy career.