The legal sector is one of the most prestigious and sought after areas to explore for a career once you leave school. Here are some of the key details that you might not be aware of about this industry and what it could be like working as a legal professional.
You can Choose for Whom You Work
It’s possible that you have always assumed as a lawyer that you’ll need to represent criminals or those who are, at least ethnically, in the grey. Well, this is not the case and as a lawyer, you can have complete control over who you work for. You don’t have to represent a client that rubs you the wrong way. Of course, this becomes more difficult if you work for one of the larger firms. But even then, you can choose which company you work for based on the clients that they tend to take.
The Wages aren’t Always Great
People tend to think that the legal sector is always going to provide fantastic wages. It’s true that you can earn a fortune as a lawyer. For instance, if you are operating within one of the Magic Circle Firms you can earn as much as one hundred thousand per year. If you are part of SILK, then you could earn significantly more than this. On the other end of the spectrum, some lawyers will earn just twenty-five thousand. That’s a starting difference and it all depends on the level of value that employees perceive you to have.
It’s Possible to Work Independently or for a Firm
Yes, there’s no set rule that you have to work for one of the larger law firms. A key benefit of operating as part of one of the major firms is that it will provide you with more stability. By operating within a major firm, you should always have a steady stream of clients looking for your services. But, if you work independently then you’ll get to keep more of the profits. However, you’ll also need to take on further responsibilities and arrange a lot of different services. For instance, you might need the support of a company like Elite Lawyer Management to get the right marketing and promotion.
The Hours are Long
Finally, it’s worth pointing out that lawyers do work exceptionally long hours, particularly when just starting out. As you move through the ranks, you will be able to delegate more regularly to people below you. However, for the first couple of years, you will take on the brunt of the workload. You might even find that you have to work through holidays. That’s why this isn’t a career that is recommended for people who are keen to start a family and or those who have multiple personal commitments. It’s always going to be difficult to fit everything in.
We hope this helps you understand everything you need to know about working in the legal sector. There are definitely ups and downs to this career choice of which you should be aware.
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