Emma goes to the Supreme Court to find out what a day in the life of a lawyer is like. Check out more information about a career as a lawyer and how to become a lawyer on Student Edge here: https://studentedge.org/career-life/find-a-career/lawyer Want to see more career videos from Student Edge? ↓ Click here https://studentedge.org/career-life/find-a-career
What does it take to become a Lawyer?
Lawyers provide advice, write documents and conduct negotiations on legal matters, and may represent clients in court and tribunal proceedings. Lawyers are described as solicitors or barristers, depending on the work they do.
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Transcript: Hi I'm Emma and today thanks to Student Edge i'm here at the Supreme Court Gardens to find out exactly what it's like to be a lawyer. Now we've all seen them on TV on CSI, Law and Order and I'm guessing you're probably thinking it's a pretty glamorous job bringing hardened criminals to justice saving the world one case at a time. But i'm going to guess that being a lawyer involves a little more than what we see on TV and today I'm catching up with a
real-life lawyer Matthew to find out what it's all about so come on, let's go meet him.
The image of the legal profession created by TV shows is certainly heroic and while element of this can be true the on-screen stories represent the smallest tip of the iceberg in terms of the real work done by actual lawyers.
Emma, Matthew.
Pleasure to meet you. I've got some questions I'd love to ask you about being a lawyer.
Excellent well why don't we come over here we'll have a chat about it
So, Emma what would you like to know?
Matthew I'm here today because i'd love to know what it's really like being a lawyer I'm guessing it's probably not quite the same as what we see on TV. No it's not just the highlight reel, all the intrigue. The majority of the work of a lawyer is actually spent in the office, sometimes long hours and it's researching, it's writing, it's meeting with clients and talking to other lawyers about how to find the best way forward for a client, so it's not the everything you see on TV.
Not quite those intense court battles, huh?
Look they come up from time to time but they're definitely not the majority of what you see going on at all.
What was it that made you decide that you wanted to be a lawyer? I decided I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help people and law fundamentally is about helping people.
Alright Matt it's now time for you to give us the edge, I've got three questions the first question is what qualities or characteristics make somebody a good fit to be a lawyer?
I think attention to detail, a passion for the law and being a people person.
Would you say that it's possible for somebody to actually do some work experience with a lawyer before they decide to become one?
A lot of films will allow high school students to come in for a day or even a week to do work experience through the high school programs so they can experience and see what it's like in the legal office and how it works. Quite often you have to set that up through a contact or someone you know or you can go through the law society they can quite often put teachers and students in contact with a lawyer that can take a work experience person because it is really important to get to see what it would be like before you go into it. The other thing is there are so many different practices of law and specialities that each of them is quite different and just because you find that one doesn't work for you another one might be something that you're really interested in.
And finally, if you could change one thing but still end up where you are today what would you have done differently?
I think the one thing I would have done differently is find out more about the job and more about how to get into those roles in the legal profession earlier. I'm really happy with where I got to and the work that I do, but what I have found is I probably could have got there maybe quicker or without with bit less effort if I found out more about it earlier.
Well thanks for your time today I really appreciate it. Just one last thing um, I got this parking ticket...
Well I'm a lawyer and City of Perth is right there i'm sure we can sort it out it'll be fine.
As you may have suspected being a lawyer involves far more than what you see on TV.
The biggest part of your job is to make sure you provide your clients with expert legal advice and assistance through what can often be stressful and traumatic situations. And remember what Matt said to be a successful lawyer you've got to have excellent communication skills so, to get involved log on to https://studentedge.org and follow the links.
