international commercial why you need an lawyer

Commercial lawyers need to be good at forming business relationships. This is a cornerstone of how law firms work: each partner is expected to win their own business, simultaneously acting as a salesperson for the firm and an expert in their field. As a lawyer at any level of the firm you’ll be expected to market yourself.

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Why become an international lawyer?

Mar 27, 2020 · By having a commercial lawyer on your retainer, you’re always in a state of compliance and will be able to avoid lawsuits. Protect Your Business Assets A prudent business owner takes the necessary steps to ensure that his or her assets are protected always. You need to safeguard your wealth from instances such as: Seizures Taxation Creditor claims

Why are you interested in commercial law?

Nov 01, 2007 · The greatest benefits of international law come from institutions that ask more of us and hence give more in return. The World Trade …

Is there a need for lawyers around the world?

Jun 05, 2015 · It could be said that the most direct route into becoming an international lawyer is by becoming qualified in a second (or third, etc.) jurisdiction as a lawyer, and thus being able to practise law and advise clients in more than one jurisdiction and from the perspective of more than one set of laws. The potential gain is clear: businesses are constantly looking for advisors …

Why do you want to study international law at University?

Nov 24, 2021 · A lawyer's most common job tasks include drafting legal documents, researching laws, handling settlement negotiations, and representing a client in court. An international lawyer is an attorney who focuses their legal practice on international disputes. These types of disputes may include international business, trade, or criminal issues.

What are the benefits of international law?

The greatest benefits of international law come from institutions that ask more of us and hence give more in return. The World Trade Organization, for example, ensures low-cost access for US exports to markets in much of the world. Yet we cannot take advantage of this access without giving access in return.

How did the Bush administration damage the international law?

The many ways the Bush Administration has damaged America’s standing on international law are all too familiar. Within six months of entering office, President Bush declared that the United States would not join the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, threatened to unilaterally abrogate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and revoked ...

What resolution did the Security Council adopt to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorists?

In the weeks immediately following 9/11, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1373 requiring states to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorists by criminalizing terrorist funding, freezing terrorist assets, suppressing recruitment of terrorist agents and prosecuting accused terrorists.

What would happen if the US cut its emissions?

Even if the United States, which is one of the two biggest greenhouse-gas emitters, were to cut its emissions in half tomorrow, global warming would continue. That’s because the United States is only part of the problem–and hence can produce only part of the solution on its own. A less obvious example is terrorism.

What are some examples of global problems?

There are many problems we cannot solve ourselves, no matter how powerful our nation or how committed our leaders. The most obvious example is global warming. Every country emits greenhouse gases, and every country will ultimately feel the effects of global warming .

How do terrorists evade national control?

Terrorist organizations evade national control by sending their money, people and weapons across state borders. Only by working together can states effectively combat this transnational threat. There are budding efforts to do just that at the United Nations–spearheaded by the United States.

Can we get others to follow the rules of fair play?

And we cannot get others to follow the rules of fair play in the marketplace unless we are willing to do so ourselves. But international law does more than establish the ground rules or level the playing field of international commerce. It also can help us solve many of the thorniest problems we face.

What are the challenges of becoming an international lawyer?

One of the challenges to grapple with as a budding international lawyer is the ongoing reform of the profession as a whole all over the world. The nation with far and away the most lawyers, the US, has recently seen the first liberalising of the legal profession, with further discussion ongoing, while another important jurisdiction, the UK, has undergone (and is still undergoing) considerable reforms, such as alternative business structures (ABS) for ownership of law firms. And the US has also seen its share of innovative web-based legal services providers, such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer, looking to take advantage of technology and market forces. A wider revolution is gradually taking place in the legal profession.

How can I become an international lawyer?

It could be said that the most direct route into becoming an international lawyer is by becoming qualified in a second (or third, etc.) jurisdiction as a lawyer, and thus being able to practise law and advise clients in more than one jurisdiction and from the perspective of more than one set of laws. The potential gain is clear: businesses are constantly looking for advisors that can take a more international perspective on their commercial goals, and dual-qualified lawyers are well-placed to provide this service. Law firms, too, benefit from offering their clients a multi-jurisdictional service, ensuring their clients do not need to look elsewhere for advice on other jurisdictions.

What is legal education?

Legal education: Learning not just how to think and work like a lawyer, but also how the legal services market is changing, and developing new skills that are relevant for the market today and tomorrow.

What are some examples of international trusts?

Examples of these include criminal defence, family law, employment law, personal injury, real estate, and wills and probate.

Is English the predominant language in business?

Lawyers coming out of an English-speaking country may prefer to ignore this part, but for everyone else, it can hardly be ignored that English is the predominant language of international business. If your English is not at professional level, it needs to be. But even if you speak English as your mother tongue, learning a second or third language can bolster your career opportunities immeasurably, enabling you to work on legal matters in a variety of forums, and advise clients from outside your home jurisdiction.

Why are UK law firms going east?

In the 1990s, the Pet Shop Boys urged everyone to go west, but these days, for UK international law firms, the opposite direction of travel is more attractive. The increased globalisation of trade and state of the world economy means UK law firms are going east in search of clients and revenue.

How many degrees do I need to become a lawyer?

The firm demands at least a 2:1 degree, but whether that is in law or in another subject does not matter. Generally around two thirds of those looking to become lawyers have a law degree, while the other third have studied another subject.

How many lawyers does Herbert Smith Freehills have?

Herbert Smith Freehills comprises 20 worldwide offices with 2,800 lawyers. The union will form the eighth largest law firm in the world and the largest law firm in Asia Pacific — one of the fastest growing legal markets in the world.

How many applications did Herbert Smith receive?

There's no two ways about it, you will face stiff competition if you want to work at a world-class law firm. Herbert Smith received more than 2,000 applications for the 70 — 80 training contracts it offered in previous years. It is essential to shine, both academically and through extra-curricular activities.

What is the selection process for elusive training contracts?

The selection process for those elusive training contracts is rigorous. Candidates are put through a situational judgment test, a verbal and logical reasoning test, and an assessment day during which they undertake a range of exercises.

Should I Pursue an International Law Career Path?

Lawyers help resolve legal problems by advising and/or representing their clients in court. A lawyer's most common job tasks include drafting legal documents, researching laws, handling settlement negotiations, and representing a client in court. An international lawyer is an attorney who focuses their legal practice on international disputes.

Types of International Law Careers

There are many different kinds of careers in international law that you can explore based on your personal interest. Here are just a few examples:

What are the opportunities for young lawyers?

International institutions, such as the International Court of Justice, have many opportunities for young lawyers in the field of international law. But studying it can boost your prospects in related areas of interest too, such as human rights.

What is globalization in legal practice?

The globalisation of legal practice means that a knowledge of international law is crucial even for those planning to work in the UK. The impact of international law is felt in both domestic and international practice. Photograph: Alamy.

Where is Michael Greenfield?

Michael Greenfield, an international law student at the University of Southampton, received an offer of an internship at the UN’s New York headquarters. “International law has opened up exciting opportunities for me,” he says.

Who is Michèle Olivier?

Dr Michèle Olivier, a lecturer in international law at the University of Hull’s law school and one of eight experts who helped draft the 1993 South African constitution, says trainee lawyers must take into account what’s going on abroad. “We have international controversies and are engaged in the war against terror.

Is the world interconnected?

The world is interconnected as never before, says Robert Volterra, partner and principal of public international law firm Volterra Fietta. “Everyone is affected by war in the Middle East, the transmission of Russian gas to western Europe, and piracy in the South China Sea.

A Word of Warning

Unfortunately, despite many commercial solicitors encouraging students at career events to apply to work at competitive firms within their commercial department, there is one fallacy that often shocks students aspiring to become commercial solicitors. It is harder than they were told it was and certainly harder than they assumed.

Why Become a Commercial Solicitor?

For me personally, the focus of this question should be split into two areas:

Are You Commercially Aware?

I believe a core part of deciding whether to become a commercial solicitor or not stems from having commercial interests. This means caring about the insolvency of a business, threats to business and the impact it has on consumers and public protection, all of which will have an impact on legal issues relating to business.

Which Law Modules do You Enjoy Most?

Importantly, your decision to become a commercial solicitor may be determined by the modules you most enjoy, or excel in. Many say that interest in contract and tort law is fundamental when it comes to a career as a commercial solicitor.

Corporate or Commercial Law?

Furthermore, there is a distinction between corporate law and commercial law that many students may overlook. Are you focusing on one and ignoring the other? It is important that you avoid doing so, both areas overlap significantly and knowledge and interest in both may certainly indicate your suitability towards a career as a commercial solicitor.

How to Be Sure

You may want to get a better idea of whether being a commercial solicitor is the right career for you by researching the career further, doing virtual internships, gaining work experience and more.

Which is the most popular law for international commercial agreements?

As has been discussed, English law is the most popular choice of law for international commercial agreements, and a corollary of that is the popularity of London as a forum for resolving subsequent disputes.

What is the most popular choice of law for cross-border commercial agreements?

As the most popular choice of law for cross-border commercial agreements, knowledge and experience of English law is a key component of establishing yourself as an international arbitration lawyer .

Why is arbitration important in business?

Aside from traditional litigation, arbitration has been increasingly adopted as an effective means of resolving international commercial disputes.

How much was the ICC in 2013?

The ICC International Court of Arbitration (ICC) also revealed that during 2013, in 22% of its cases the amount in dispute was less than $1 million, while more than 11% of the participants in ICC arbitration hearings are state entities.

What does arbitration provide?

Whether participating in the process as a claimant or respondent, interviewees reflected that arbitration provides a sense of neutrality and fairness that cannot always be relied upon in foreign courts. Of particular interest is the spread of arbitration across the world.

Why do commercial parties use arbitration?

However, conscious of the cost, delay and publicity that often come with traditional litigation, commercial parties are increasingly turning to arbitration in order to settle their disputes.

How does international trade contribute to GDP?

International trade contributes significantly towards overall GDP growth ; countries with a larger number of connections in the global trade network tend to experience more than 40% higher GDP growth than less connected countries do.

What is a barrister?

A barrister (or advocate in places such as Scotland, Belgium, South Africa, Israel, and Brazil) specialises in representing clients (individuals or organisations) in court. Barristers are hired by solicitors to represent a case at court, only becoming involved when advocacy before a court is needed. You will provide legal advice for your client and plead the case on behalf of your client and your client’s solicitor, You will have an area of specialisation such as criminal, common or entertainment law. Most are self-employed while others work for various government departments, agencies, charities, corporations or solicitors firms. In the US, barristers were historical known as Although counsellors today the role of barristers and solicitors are no longer differentiated and are both called attorneys.

What is a solicitor in South Africa?

A solicitor (or attorney in South Africa) provides legal advice on a wide range of subjects (both personal and business affairs) and typically need to explain the law to their clients, be they individuals, groups, public sector organisations or private companies. You may act on behalf of your client in court (or instruct a barrister to do so) and throughout all legal negotiations in issues such as property transactions, wills, divorce and child custody, compensation claims and business contracts. Solicitors are required to prepare and research documents, letters and other paperwork in order to represent your client to the best of your ability. Employers include private law firms, central or local government agencies, banks or other commercial organizations.

What is a company secretary?

As a company secretary, you will ensure that the company that employs you complies with relevant legislation on a local, national or global basis. You are required to possess a thorough understanding of laws that affect the company’s area of interest, and by monitoring changes in relevant legislation, will be responsible for ensuring the efficient administration of your company in regards to legal and statutory requirements.