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Being a lawyer is so much more than appearing in court and defending their clients. They have tons of other responsibilities outside of the courtroom that require more time way beyond office hours. Lawyers barely have a life outside work, but you always see them walk and talk confidently in every court hearing. It takes great courage, passion, and determination to be a lawyer. It’s not a job you can just consider as a “phase.” Being a lawyer is a profession that requires commitment and a place where doubt has no room.
Now, let’s take a glimpse at how lawyers productively spend their days, the responsibilities they usually have on their plate, and the dilemmas they likely encounter inside and outside of the courtroom.
How Most Lawyers Welcome a New Day
Work processes are different from one type of lawyer to another. Criminal attorneys have different ways of approaching cases, from lawyers working in employment or corporate lawsuits. They might have divergent responsibilities during business hours, but there’s one thing most of them find similarities with each other; how they start their days.
Being a lawyer is so much more than appearing in court and defending their clients. They have tons of other responsibilities outside of the courtroom that require more time way beyond office hours.Click To TweetMost lawyers, if you pay attention to it, appear way earlier than office hours. They’re the early birds of the company and also one of the most hardworking ones. What most lawyers have as a common ground is their high productivity rate in a quiet, less crowded environment. Because they interact with people most of the time, the quiet time they acquire in an empty office gives them the chance to sort paperwork faster and more efficiently. This is also a time for them to respond to clients’ concerns, unread emails, and work on memos they have on their to-do’s. The early time is their chance to make sure they’re all prepared to face the day, as well as their clients.
How Lawyers Spend Business Hours
Attorneys are known for spending significant time in courthouses, representing their clients. However, when not engaged in court proceedings or appointments, they can be found in their offices, engrossed in a range of activities essential to their duty of defending their clients. These tasks include consulting with clients, drafting legal documents, studying incoming mail, and more. Regardless of the hurdles they face when navigating client documentation or the limited evidence at their disposal, attorneys strive tirelessly to tilt the scales in their client’s favor. Witnessing a day in the life of an attorney reveals their relentless pursuit of understanding and dissecting each case they handle.
Additionally, attorneys play a vital role in increasing the firm’s client base. Thus, maintaining a respectful environment within their offices and continually seeking improved strategies to market their firm and services becomes crucial. Notably, their work involves collaborating closely with legal assistants. These paraprofessionals help attorneys with research, drafting, and other administrative tasks, thereby streamlining the workflow and enhancing the firm’s overall efficiency. This symbiotic relationship underscores the dynamic and intricate nature of legal practice.
How to Become a Corporate Lawyer
To become a successful corporate lawyer, consider the following key steps:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: This is the first step in your legal career. You can major in any field, but some choose pre-law, political science, or business for their pre-law preparation.
- Pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT): A high score on this exam is crucial for admission into a top law school.
- Earn a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree: Law school typically lasts three years. Choose electives that focus on business and corporate law, such as corporate management and commercial transactions.
- Pass the Bar Exam: After graduating from law school, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you wish to practice. Some states have reciprocity agreements allowing lawyers to practice in multiple states.
- Gain Practical Experience: Aim for internships or part-time roles in corporate law firms. Experience is invaluable in this field and provides practical insights that classroom study cannot.
- Continued Learning and Specialization: Stay updated with new laws and regulations. Consider obtaining a Master of Law (LLM) in corporate or business law to further specialize and enhance your career prospects.
Remember, successful corporate lawyers, possess excellent negotiation
Working Beyond Business Hours
Because of the number of responsibilities lawyers are expected to perform within the day, it appears normal for them to spend time working beyond business hours. In working with cases, backlogs can be a negative factor. It might affect the flow of the case and even the verdict. Firms set deadlines for their lawyers to avoid this from happening. That is why most lawyers disregard the firm’s business hours and try to finish the number of paperwork they need to get for the day to avoid any future problems and delays with the cases.
Working beyond business hours often includes:
- Answering emails that they didn’t notice due to loads of paperwork.
- Finishing some files that are needed as soon as possible.
- Double-checking on the required papers for a court hearing.
No job is ever too easy. Every job requires hard work, patience, and courage. But, lawyers, have to have one thing other than all of these. They have to have a passion for staying committed to their job. Being a lawyer can be pretty overwhelming, and at times, risky. They need to stand their ground, always do their best in every case given to them, and not disappoint their clients in the best way they could.
If you’re someone who doesn’t have the passion for keeping doing this for such a long time, things might get pretty hard for you as days go by. Lawyers are passionate people, and their passion brings justice to the world.
A unique career-building guide that will help you evaluate and answer the most basic question facing you now: Should you really be a lawyer?
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
