Most of us are familiar with the profession of a lawyer from numerous detective novels read in our school years. Perhaps a clear mind, a clear identification of priorities and a deep knowledge of the laws prompted many to think about the future profession and how to become a lawyer. This specialty attracts many because of the free work schedule, good pay and the ability to prove themselves.
What a profession is a lawyer
The law on advocacy has been adopted in all modern countries. As a rule, a lawyer is a person with a higher legal education and a passport of a citizen of the country in which he provides lawyer services. In addition, the lawyer must undergo an internship and pass a qualification exam. Only after passing the exam successfully does a lawyer have the right to acquire a license to practice law and offer his services. A military lawyer, in addition to the mandatory level, should be well aware of the conditions for performing military service in the reserve, during mobilization and in emergency situations, should be able to protect the honor and freedom of the military and their families. This also includes work at the front, investigation of war crimes, protection of the rights of prisoners of war, work in the tribunals.
Personal qualities
Young people thinking about how to become a lawyer often forget about the whole list of personal qualities necessary for representatives of this profession. First of all, we need the makings of a leader, perseverance, scrupulousness and patience. Equally important is a rich vocabulary that will help to defend your own point of view with the help of weighty and relevant arguments. A lawyer must put the law above his own emotions - even the most inveterate criminals have the right to defense in our country. Therefore, one must be prepared for the fact that even in the most hopeless case, a thread can surely be found that will lead the defendant to an acquittal verdict or substantially mitigate the sentence.
University education
It should be noted that the question of how to become a lawyer is not asked by those who know that both lawyers and lawyers graduate from the same educational institutions. Any accredited institution of higher education in the country with the right to teach law provides the knowledge to work as a lawyer. Among the top Russian universities are the Moscow Law Institute, the Russian Law Academy, the Russian Academy of Advocacy and Notaries, and other educational institutions. The Chamber of Lawyers can provide more information.
In senior courses, the future lawyer can clarify his future specialization and continue to work in the selected field under the supervision of his curator. But the basic course of law should be thoroughly studied by the student.
Young specialist
The education of a lawyer is based on the knowledge that he brought from the student bench, many times deepened and expanded as a result of his own experience. Therefore, the question of how to become a lawyer should not lie solely in the field of education. A lawyer studies all his life - this is the best way to become a qualified specialist in any field. Constantly studying laws, studying the experience of his colleagues and accumulating his own practical knowledge, the lawyer accumulates a powerful reserve of legal foundations, which he uses in his direct work.
Internship tasks
Law schools do not provide internship opportunities for future lawyers.To do this, he needs to work in the law or advocacy board as a student of an already existing representative of the law profession. The bar is the best place to get the necessary skills. In addition, legal advice, which specializes in various types of legal services, and even just a lawyer who provides legal advice on an individual basis, is suitable. The main priorities during the internship of the young lawyer are:
- Studying the specifics of the chosen profession.
- Increasing the level of basic knowledge and their first application in practice.
- Improving the practical skills necessary for mastering the chosen specialty.
- Expansion of knowledge on the chosen specialization.
- The study of the organization of work of the territorial collegiums of advocates, the specifics and nuances.
- Analysis of the personal qualities of the future lawyer to determine the ability to work in the chosen specialty.
Internship course
According to the law of many countries, the bar association can accept an intern only on the conditions prescribed in the law on the bar. So, persons who do not have a complete higher education, previously convicted, under investigation, etc., are not allowed to participate in an internship. The trainee’s relationship with the bar association or legal advice is formalized in an employment contract. This document must provide for the conditions of the internship, the responsibilities of the intern and his supervisor are indicated. Separately, a clause may be included according to which the trainee, after receiving the license of a lawyer, is obliged to work a certain amount of time at the place of internship. Persons who have chosen the profession of “military lawyer” must have experience in serving in the army.
By default, an attorney's internship is paid. After all, she is included in the general training course for a young specialist. The cost of the internship depends on the level of legal advice, experience and qualifications of the lawyers working in it. The internship period depends on the laws of the country in which the future lawyer is studying. In most cases, this period takes from six months to one year.
Internship Results
After this period, the lawyer, under whose supervision the internship of the young specialist was held, is obliged to draw up a written opinion on the suitability of the specialist for independent advocate work. For his part, the intern must prepare a document reflecting the results of the worked period.
In this document, items such as:
- Passing an individual internship plan.
- The list of tasks.
- Legal documents developed.
- Completed tasks that reveal the theoretical and practical stock of knowledge of the future lawyer.
Qualification exam
Before submitting documents for the qualification exam, the applicant for the title of lawyer must have a certain length of legal work. In order to get admission to the qualification exam, a young specialist submits a corresponding application to a special department under the Ministry of Justice. The following documents are attached to the application:
- Copy of diploma.
- Extract from the work book.
- Internship Report.
- Autobiography.
The list of documents can be expanded in accordance with the legislation of a particular state. After submitting the application, the information provided by this lawyer is checked. This period may take about six months. The results of the verification must be communicated to the applicant for the title of lawyer, it is for them that the qualification commission concludes that the lawyer is allowed or not allowed to the exam. A negative decision of the commission may be appealed in court.
How is the qualification exam
The exam for a lawyer takes place in the presence of members of the examination committee.Among its participants are a college of lawyers, representatives of the court and the prosecutor general's office. Representatives of the Ministry of Justice and members of scientific organizations are also present.
The future lawyer must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of constitutional, housing, civil, labor, family, administrative, criminal law. The exam takes place both orally and in writing. In many countries, a written examination for a lawyer is not carried out - it is replaced by computer testing, which randomly checks the theoretical knowledge of a future lawyer. After testing, the applicant’s answers are printed, signed and offered for consideration to members of the commission.
The oral stage should demonstrate the specialist’s practical work skills, his ability to listen to opponents, and reinforce his point of view with weighty arguments based on in-depth knowledge of existing laws. Applicants are prohibited from using special literature, the Internet, telephone, or negotiating with other candidates. Anyone who violates these rules is removed from the exam.
Based on the results of the exam, the commission makes its decision. Persons who do not pass the exam may be eligible for re-examination no earlier than six months later. But those who have passed the test with dignity receive a license giving the right to provide lawyer services and provide legal support.
Is it realistic to become a lawyer?
Is it realistic to get a lawyer in our country? Of course, this is accompanied by high material costs and lengthy, painstaking work on yourself. But for people who set a goal, nothing is impossible. In return, you will receive many years of successful work for yourself, recognition and success, providing prosperity to you and your children.
