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If you decide to work at a legal firm, your next choice can quickly become difficult. Even if you are certain of the place you want to work, it is wise to give your choice some thought. After all, earning a law degree isn’t simple, so why not treat yourself to the greatest beginning of your career? This post has assembled advice to aid every law graduate when thinking about a potential law firm to assist them in making the best decision.
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Get in contact
Meeting with attorneys within firms with lawyers on demand can provide valuable insight into the firm’s culture and the business that they conduct daily. It looks great on an application if you’ve taken the initiative to chat with someone before applying. People are generally delighted when you show interest in their work, so don’t be shy about asking for guidance. If you meet an individual at a career fair or an open day, remember their name, write them a follow-up mail, and use LinkedIn to get linked.
What is the company’s culture like?
It is impossible to overestimate the value of culture in a law practice. After all, there aren’t many other situations where you will work as intently or intimately with other groups of individuals, so making sure you fit in and feel encouraged is important. To thoroughly assess a law firm’s culture, you’ll need to ask many questions: How aggressive is the law firm? Who are the folks who work there? What can graduate employees expect? What about the people? Law firms, or even individual teams inside law firms, have widely disparate value systems. Individualism, apparent effort, or billable hours may be valued by some, whereas employee and customer happiness, work/life balance, or community engagement may be valued by others. Whenever possible, seek employment with a company whose values align with yours.
Choose based on your area of specialization
There are numerous legal practice fields in which you might specialize. If you clearly understand what intrigues you the most, it’s worth looking for companies that nurture your enthusiasm. Thus, if taxation law is too dry for you, try family law; if family law is too exhausting, try criminal law; if criminal law is too confronting, explore something else, and so on, until you find a practice area that excites you. Search for an organization where you can concentrate on this. Remember that switching practice areas can be tough once you’ve committed to one. It’s also crucial to assess whether your personality matches the practice area you want to work in.
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Be selective
Selectively applying to numerous companies with lawyers on demand will give you more time to customize each application to that company and the requirements outlined in the brochures. In your cover letter, emphasize your desire to work for that company rather than just become a lawyer. Training contracts require significant time and financial investment, so your cover letter should demonstrate your dedication to the position.
You should also consider your hobbies outside the law profession and how you may use those interests to build a more fulfilling career. If you have a strong interest in music, you can look for a company that focuses on intellectual property or works with customers in the entertainment sector.