What the work is
A lawyer helps people and organisations act within the law and protect their rights. They give legal advice, draft and review contracts, assess the risks of deals, prepare claims and lawsuits and represent the client in negotiations, in court and before state bodies. Lawyers specialise in different fields: corporate, employment, tax and civil law.
A typical day
Reviewing a supply contract and redrafting the risky clauses. Advising a manager on dismissing an employee. Drafting a reply to a counterparty’s claim. Reading up on changes in legislation and case law. Meeting a client before a hearing to agree the position.
How to start
- Get a law degree.
- Do placements at a law firm, an in-house legal team or a court.
- Learn to write plainly: contracts, letters and opinions are read by people with no legal training.
- Choose the field of law you want to grow in and follow how it changes.
Related professions
Legal assistant, compliance specialist, auditor, HR specialist.