good answers for why do you want to be a lawyer

by Mr. Dave Hansen II 6 min read

How to answer why you wanted to become a lawyer

  1. Focus on your strengths and skills. Give examples of your strongest skills that make you successful as a lawyer. ...
  2. Describe a personal experience that inspired you. Discuss something you experienced in your previous roles or background that inspired you to become a lawyer.
  3. Give examples of your past success and how it motivates you. Your past successes and achievements can also be very compelling reasons for pursuing a career as a lawyer.
  4. Relate your values and philosophy to the job. The interviewer will likely want to see that your core values and philosophy about practicing law connects with the job responsibilities ...
  5. Discuss how you plan to contribute to the firm. Provide examples of the approaches you'll use to make improvements and contribute to the company as a whole.

How to answer why you wanted to become a lawyer
  • Focus on your strengths and skills. ...
  • Describe a personal experience that inspired you. ...
  • Give examples of your past success and how it motivates you. ...
  • Relate your values and philosophy to the job. ...
  • Discuss how you plan to contribute to the firm.
Jul 23, 2021

Full Answer

Why you should have a lawyer before you need one?

Jul 23, 2021 · Give examples of your strongest skills that make you successful as a lawyer. For instance, your ability to communicate persuasively, your attention to detail and your compassion towards your clients are strengths that you can have as a lawyer that make you successful at doing your job. Your pride in your skills and expertise can show the interviewer how motivated …

What kind of lawyer do you really want to be?

Firstly, you should keep in mind the main reasons why you have the drive to choose Law as a career. Secondly, you need to exhibit your understanding of the workings of the job description. Thirdly, you should be able to show your strengths and skill sets in such a way that it convinces the interviewer to consider you for the job.

How did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?

Feb 14, 2017 · Think of constructing your “Why Law” answer as being like building a wall. The first brick is the law, once you have got that clear you can move on to why this particular kind of law. Want to do private client work? Then talk about engaging …

Why should you should become a lawyer?

Dec 12, 2021 · If you can impress upon the law firm you are applying to why the application of law in a practical commercial context interests you in particular, then you are well on your way to a successful answer. Commercial Interests. Even if you have not studied law, reflect on the other half of the career: commerce. Why are you interested in business?

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What does it mean to be a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer means learning how to negotiate with and manage people. The Carnegie Institute says that while 13% of financial success relates to technical skills, 87% is based on three factors: (1) personality, (2) ability to negotiate, (3) ability to manage people.

What is the law?

The law is one of the few professions that provide an intense analysis of the important decisions of the past as guides for the important decisions to be made in the present. Law encourages and promotes discussion and argument as a way to uncover the truth.

Why are lawyers important?

Lawyers are in a unique position to help individuals, groups, and organizations with their legal problems and to further the public good. Public interest lawyers champion legal causes for the greater good of society and help those in need of legal assistance who might not otherwise be able to afford attorneys.

Where do lawyers work?

Work Environments and Perks. The majority of lawyers work in law firms, government, and for corporations. In an age where cubicles have become the mainstay of the modern workplace, lawyers typically work in offices with four walls.

What is prestige in law?

The Prestige. A career as a lawyer has been a hallmark of prestige for generations. Impressive degrees and a certain authority over others have placed lawyers in an elite circle of professionals who command respect and embody the definition of success.

What is the most rewarding job?

Working as a lawyer is one of the most intellectually rewarding jobs on the planet. From helping to patent a trade secret, or devising a trial strategy, to forming a multi-million dollar merger, lawyers are problem-solvers, analysts, and innovative thinkers whose intellect is crucial to career success.

What are the sub-specialties of law?

Lawyers can specialize in one or several niche areas, ranging from bread-and-butter practices such as employment law , foreclosure law, and civil litigation to specialties such as green law or intellectual property law.

How much do lawyers make?

Lawyers are among the highest-paid professionals in the legal industry, and most attorneys earn salaries well above the national average. The median annual salary for all lawyers was $120,910 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the world’s top attorneys can pull in million-dollar annual incomes .

Why do lawyers do pro bono work?

Lawyers in private practice often perform pro bono work to help low-income individuals and underserved portions of the population , such as the elderly, victims of domestic abuse, and children. In fact, many bar associations require that attorneys commit to a certain number of pro bono hours each year.

What does it mean to work in law?

Working in the law means that you will deal with people. It is a client-facing industry and you will have to liaise with clients on the telephone, in meetings, via email and at events. This may not appeal to everyone but a good firm will make sure that you are comfortable.

Can you look at a 300 page document for typos?

It may be that looking through a 300 page document for typos and checking cross-references does not appeal to you. If that is the case then I will say that it is likely to happen at least once in your training contract. On the other hand, this is a task you can pass on to trainees once you are a qualified lawyer..

Fast Paced – ever changing?

Does this actually mean anything? I think you could describe my job in career guidance like this. It’s fast paced, some of my academic colleagues talk about my revolving door as students come and go, one after the other. It’s ever changing because no two students are the same or have identical questions.

What do professional lawyers get up to?

It really is important to understand this. If you haven’t got a handle on it, how do you know that law is for you and how can you articulate your interest? What you will be doing will depend on whether you are a trainee solicitor or pupil barrister and on the kind of work your firm or set practices and how big it is.

There must be more to it?

Of course there is. Think of constructing your “Why Law” answer as being like building a wall. The first brick is the law, once you have got that clear you can move on to why this particular kind of law. Want to do private client work? Then talk about engaging with and helping individuals.

What about the fast paced bit?

You’re right that big law firms talk about this a lot. Maybe what they actually mean is hard work and long hours, the ability to multi task and be accurate even when the pressure is on and the hour is late. Without doubt all of this brings its own adrenalin rush and can be both addictive and exciting.

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Focusing on Specific Legal Areas

If you have specific goals such as working for a particular disadvantaged group that lacks advocates, then the situation is different: It’s always good to showcase a unique, focused commitment. Even better would be if you had a track record of community service to back up your objectives.

Unique Personal Interests

Discussing specific areas of law is a surefire way to demonstrate a mature commitment to the study of law. However, admissions officers certainly do not expect this level of decisiveness. Another way to show your reasons for pursuing law is to tie your interest to personal qualities or skills.

Brushes With the Law

Some people will discover their interest in law through an unplanned encounter. This applicant describes her involvement in an Equal Employment Opportunity suit, then ties this in with her interest in environmental law.

How to write a good lawyer interview?

1. Tell me about yourself. This is where you should have your personal story ready. This should be a quick 1-2 minute summary (but no more than 2 minutes!) of what you did before law school, how that path led you to law school, and why you want to be a lawyer at your interviewer’s firm.

What is a 2L internship?

This can take on the form of a 1L firm position, a public interest or government position, an in- house position at a corporation or startup, an internship with a judge, and etc.

Is an interview conversational?

Don’t Forget: Interviews are Conversational. Keep in mind that your interviews will be very conversational and your interviewers may interject during your responses with questions. Don’t plan on actually giving your whole spiel. Go along with the conversational flow. Below, are commonly asked questions.

Can you talk about leadership experience?

Your leadership experience doesn’t have to relate to a particular job. You can discuss leadership experience gained through your hobbies, academic projects, school organizations, and even volunteering. Use the STAR formula again.

Can you practice in front of a mirror?

When your interviewer asks you a question, it’s perfectly okay to take a few seconds to digest the question and formulate a response.

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