Lawyers

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Lawyers are some of the most incredibly hardworking people out there. Movies and TV shows may fail to depict this but lawyers typically work between 50 to 60 hours a week and rarely have time to waste. The many hours law students spend to get their degrees are both preparation and practice for once they are qualified to work. There is much more to a lawyer’s job than simply showing up in court and delivering a passionate speech to defend their clients. Here are some insights into the life of a lawyer.

The specific activities and tasks a lawyer must fulfill highly depend on their area of specialization. For instance, an attorney whose focus is Labour Law will spend a lot more time in administrative hearings and courtrooms as opposed to a lawyer whose specialization is Business Law related. Regardless of their specialties, lawyers tend to have a very early start to their workdays. Starting the day early provides lawyers with the opportunity to tackle their large to do lists before the office is officially open and they are bombarded with phone calls, client meetings, and court appearances.Their early morning tasks may include emailing responses, reviewing any cases, preparing for hearings, and preparing documents such as pleadings or motions for active cases.

During business hours, it is easy to assume that lawyers will be spending a large portion of time on the phone or in meetings. You may find them talking to a client, providing updates about a case, or discussing cases with fellow lawyers. They may also be outside of their office, doing research on similar case studies to see if experience may provide more insight into their current cases. As an example, a personal injury attorney would be obligated to visit the scene of the incident to collect data and assess the situation. Additionally, some attorneys are required to use this time to attend classes so that they may stay up-to-date with new laws and regulations.

As previously mentioned, lawyers work outstandingly long hours. If a lawyer spends the day out of office, they may be obligated to complete their office tasks after business hours due to strict deadlines. This includes tasks such as paperwork and emails.

The main responsibilities of a lawyer may include advising clients, interpreting and applying laws to particular cases, gathering evidence and investigating legal records, representing their clients in court, examining legal data relating to lawsuits, preparing legal documents such as wills, mortgages, and leases, and supervising legal assistants.

Lawyers are highly committed individuals who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to their work. They are aware that their work can play a very significant role in the lives of their clients, which is why they take great pride in aiding their clients to the fullest extent possible. This knowledge that their work often has such a remarkable impact on the lives of others motivates them to work harder and often much longer than those in other professions. Becoming a lawyer is an exceptionally long and strenuous process, but it is ultimately a very rewarding profession that allows you to make significant contributions to society.

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Published March 3, 2021

Written by Isra Siddiqui ~ Edited by Fiona Xu ~ Graphics by Elwin Fu