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
involveds 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 studentedge.com.au and follow the links