Is a Career in Law a Good Choice For Women?
No matter if you’re a university student or trying to figure out where your true calling lies, you need to choose carefully. The right career will help you find meaning in the job you’re doing. Choosing a career implies so much more than deciding what you’re going to do for a living. While you should be pragmatic with your decision, take into account your personal ambitions and goals.
More than ever, women have a multitude of career choices. Fear is the only barrier to success. If you’re considering a career in law, you’re not the only one. An ever-increasing number of women enter the profession. In one of the most influential professions in the world, women have had significant achievements. The legal industry is no longer a man’s world. Women can study the law and practice, as they’re not under a “legal disability”.
The legal profession or a career in law is intellectually stimulating, pays a lot of money, and has high levels of satisfaction. The growing support for women in the field of law is a beneficial aspect. Law firms are more conscious about having diverse workplaces. You can adjust your day to include other activities, such as training for a marathon. You pay for this flexibility by spending those hours in other places. No job is perfect; keep that in mind.
There Are Huge Opportunities for Women in The Legal Sector
The date of 23 December 2019 marked 100 years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 was given Royal Assent. All legal barriers to women working as lawyers were eliminated. The first woman to practice the law in England and Wales was Helena Normanton, a barrister. She was the first woman to obtain a divorce for her client, to lead the prosecution in a murder trial, and the first woman to appear at the High Court and the Old Bailey.
A law degree represents a gateway to a fulfilling career. Opportunities are available through the local and national government, as well as small and large organisations that have in-house legal teams. Jobs directly related to the law degree are:
- Arbitrator. The arbitrator listens to both sides, looks at the evidence that’s been sent in, and decides the outcome. If you become an arbitrator, you can acquire valuable skills that you can apply in other mediation settings.
- Barrister. A barrister is a specialist in court advocacy and provides independent legal advice to their clients. UK barristers tend to be self-employed. You can specialise in one area of the law, but you can cover various areas.
- Barrister’s clerk. A barrister’s clerk is in charge of the administrative and business side of the barrister’s chambers. Examples of key responsibilities include negotiating fees for cases, allocating cases to barristers, and managing financial accounts, just to name a few.
- Chartered Legal Executive. A Chartered Legal Executive specialises in one area of the law and has the same training as a solicitor. The only difference between the two is the rights of audience obtained.
- Paralegal. A paralegal is a professional trained to assist in various legal capacities. They work with solicitors, barristers, and chartered legal executives.
- Solicitor. A solicitor is responsible for preparing legal documentation. Daily tasks can include giving legal advice to clients, researching cases, translating clients’ issues into legal terms, and so forth.
What To Know Before Pursuing A Career In Law
A career in law is rewarding. You get to help people who are swimming in debt, losing custody of their kids, or struggling to avoid a costly lawsuit. And there’s also the material aspect of it. The earnings begin on the lower side, but increase over time. The amount of money you actually make depends on the type of law you practice. Whether you work in the private or public arena, you can make a good living. Before you decide that a career in law suits you, consider these aspects:
Your Efforts Might Not Pay Off Right Away
Review of Solicitors points out that the field of law is highly competitive. If you’re not top in your graduating class, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to land a job at a prestigious law firm. The standards tend to be higher for women than they are for men. Unconscious and subtle biases operate in the world. People naturally assume that women are more ethical, so they’re punished more severely. Gender differences aside, the competition is fierce. Merely getting an internship contract anywhere is a struggle. Your efforts will pay off, but you have to be patient.
There’s No Low-Quality Work in Regional Offices
Capital cities offer more jobs than any other metropolitan area. A place like London can offer a wide range of jobs over the course of your career. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work in a regional office. Besides enjoying a better work-life balance, you have a chance to work with the senior members of the team. Not only will you learn a lot but also you’ll gain invaluable experience. If you want to be a key player, not a note-taker, stay away from London firms.
Be More Professional, Make A Good Impression
You can build a career in law, a successful one even. Don’t use discrimination as an excuse to give up. No matter what job you do, you have to be professional – it’s about how you dress, how you speak, and how you act. As a professional, you need to think through complexities and nuances. You have to anticipate issues and needs, and then devise solutions. Don’t be satisfied with second-rate work. With experience, you can attain a high level of professionalism. Meanwhile, get respect from others. It will help you get promoted.
To sum up, you’ll need to put in a lot of time and effort to make it work. Keep your skills, attributes, and qualities in mind when deciding on a specialism. If you like public speaking and helping people, you might do great as a family barrister. Anyway, the choice is up to you.
