You have successfully finished law school with a degree in one of the most noble and traditional professions. Preceding you lies a rich history of many jurists, expert legal practitioners, codes, legislation and precedents arched by pioneers of this profession. Ahead of you lies an opportunity to distinguish yourself as one of these trailblazers in the legal field. If you strategically navigate the primary years of your career, the impact of these formative years will stay with you for a lifetime.
Without undermining the essence of your career’s early years, it is crucial to focus on building a strong foundation during this time through mentorship, careful selection of practice areas, mastery of legal skills, networking and continuity of schooling. Embrace the idea of law as an ever-evolving entity, constantly shaped by the complexities of civilization’s growth, and stay adaptable to its changes.
Before officially kicking off your law career, it may not be prudent to select a specialty right away. For some, narrowing down a specialty and adhering to it may feel like limiting their potential; however, specialization in a practice area allows for a more focused and efficient approach to practising law.
As with any major decision, being well-informed before narrowing in on your niche is crucial. A common piece of advice from seasoned practitioners is to keep an open mind. This is because most people have a clear idea of their future practice area when they start, but as previously mentioned, the practice of law often diverges from theory. With an open mind, you can remain flexible and more receptive to variations in your initially mapped out plans and adjust them when necessary. Having a preference is not a drawback, but letting it blind you to your potential, strengths and opportunities is.
Aside from personal interests, market demand should also be taken into consideration. An open-minded approach may help you enter a practice area that aligns with your strengths and meets market demand. For example, the growing traction for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Pakistan—highlighted by legislation such as Islamabad’s ADR Act, 2017, the Punjab Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2019 (as amended in 2023), the Code of Civil Procedure (Sindh Amendment) Bill, 2018, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ADR Act, and the incorporation of Section 89-A CPC empowering courts to refer parties to ADR and Order IX CPC into the Code of Civil Procedure—has significantly integrated ADR methods into the formal legal system, by outlining the procedures and consequences of non-appearance and promoting accountability. Moreover, the Punjab Commercial Courts Ordinance, 2021, which established Pakistan’s first Commercial Courts, and the proposed Arbitration Act, 2024, further highlight the growing demand for ADR practitioners in the country as parties are increasingly incorporating some form ADR as a preferred method of dispute resolution.
Stepping into the legal world as a fresh graduate is challenging enough, but doing so without a mentor or guide can make it even more difficult. Mentorship plays an undeniably influential role in shaping the future of budding lawyers. Mentors and seasoned professionals can provide valuable insights based on their accumulated experience and share learning curves, lessons from their journey and wisdom on various legal matters.
It is a common experience for fresh graduates to find a degree of disparity between their law school teachings and the practical challenges of their new professional roles. This disparity emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience in the legal domain. While law school may teach concepts like drafting, research and advocacy, these theoretical lessons often fall short when put into practice.
Input from a seasoned mentor can help navigate these challenges and bridge such gaps by offering guidance on how to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Furthermore, with a mentor’s expertise in legal research, practice and even client communication, mentees can get the opportunity to grow their professional networks and fortify their comprehension of the legal world. On the other hand, the mentor-mentee relationship benefits the mentors as well, as it helps them stay updated on legal developments and gain fresh perspectives.
After selecting a specialty, honing your skills through mentorship and cultivating your practice, the next step in your legal advent is to continually refine your skills and abilities. Contrary to popular belief, mastery over legal skills is an ongoing process rather than a final destination. The list of such skills is extensive, but some with higher priority include legal research, written and spoken communication and compelling advocacy.
For an attorney, supporting legal arguments with sound research is of utmost importance. Research and analysis are the cornerstone of a lawyer’s skill set. Lawyers must sift through, read and process vast amounts of information to find the most relevant points to support their arguments and communicate them clearly, whether to a client or the court. This requires both research and strong oral communication skills. A lawyer must be articulate in arguing cases, negotiating settlements, or explaining complex information to clients. A helpful tip for aspiring lawyers is to practice their oratory skills by recording themselves, reviewing the audio or video and refining their advocacy skills and techniques accordingly.
Written communication is equally important. Drafting pleadings, motions, contracts and other legal documentation requires clarity, persuasiveness and a strong structure. Conveying intricate information with the right mix of technical and legal terminology is an indispensable skill. A useful exercise to harness this skill is to develop a daily habit of picking a topic, spending ten minutes researching it and writing a brief on the issue. This practice enables clarity, precision and coherence in writing—qualities that are often undervalued in legal professionals.
Another key factor in shaping your career as legal professional is building a strong professional network. Networking helps experts collaborate through seminars, meetings and events where legal ideas are exchanged and business opportunities can be discussed. Events like the Pakistan International Disputes Weekend offer great opportunities to connect with professionals from legal and affiliated fields. It is, however, important to note that ‘efficient’ and effective networking is what matters the most—following up, circling back and staying connected builds a solid reputation and fosters referrals and professional support from various sources.
The legal world is as dynamic as the people and circumstances it serves. With advancements in science, technology, industries and society, it has never been more important to keep abreast of legal developments and novelties. In this regard, continuing legal education through courses, webinars, seminars and legal publications is essential. International collaborations and exchange programs also offer opportunities to broaden your legal knowledge, hone your skills and make you a more competent and versatile lawyer.
The initial years of your legal career may be challenging, but they are also full of opportunities for growth, learning and refinement. Approaching them with persistence, enthusiasm and an open mind can help reap rewards that will be well worth the effort. Remember, you must start acting now on becoming the lawyer you wish to be in the next ten years.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of CourtingTheLaw.com or any other organization with which he might be associated.
