What Is The Next Step After Hiring A Lawyer?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?

What are the duties of a personal injury lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers have many duties in aiding their clients. These duties include both ethical and professional codes of conduct and rules provided for by the associations that license the lawyers. Once the state bar association licenses them to practice law, the lawyers can file complaints in court, argue cases, prepare legal documents and offer professional legal advice to plaintiffs of personal injury. Personal injury lawyers have the sole responsibility for talking to and interviewing clients and assessing their cases. They further identify the pertinent issues within the client’s case, and thereafter conduct research to build a solid case. The most important professional mandate of a personal injury lawyer is to help clients obtain the compensation and justice they deserve after undergoing losses and suffering. This is done through client counseling, advocacy, legal advice and oral arguments. The case normally heads for trial when both parties fail to reach an amicable settlement. Personal injury lawyers are expected to follow strict set principles of legal ethics when executing their mandate with clients. While the specified guidelines vary from state to state, each lawyer is expected to evaluate legal issues while exercising due diligence in any legal matter commenced. They owe plaintiffs the onus of confidentiality and allegiance as they work to protect their client’s best interests and not their own.What are the credentials of a personal injury lawyer?
To successfully practice personal injury law, passing a written bar exam is mandatory in addition to a written ethics exam. These examinations vary from state to state. The majority of states require applicants to have a college degree and a law degree from an institution that is accredited. Non-accredited law schools have minimum set requirements before they are permitted to offer these courses. As a prerequisite, most states require a Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), a Multistate Essay Examination, a Multistate Expert Responsibility Exam and a set state bar exam as a prerequisite. Other states incorporate a Multistate Performance Test as well. Once qualified and admitted to the bar, they are required to keep abreast with the current development in their fields by continually taking legal education courses. These courses are designed to ensure that personal injury lawyers remain updated in law-related developments, with the number of required hours varying from state to state. Personal injury lawyers tend to concentrate on specific areas of law. By specializing, they are able to amass the required knowledge and experience to take them to the top of their field. There is a special certification program that personal injury lawyers must complete before they are referred to as specialists. The American Bar Association is responsible for this certification. Although individual states regulate their own lawyers, they still adhere to rules of professional responsibility as stated in the United States Constitution. These certification programs come with set standards of knowledge, competence and experience that must be attained before personal injury lawyers are called specialists. Once personal injury lawyers pass the bar exam and are licensed, they can deviate to any specialty within the law profession. However, legal ethics demand that inexperienced lawyers should not represent a client without first enlisting help or learning the issue at hand. To provide the highest quality representation for their clients, most lawyers prefer sticking to a particular area of law, thereby dedicating all of their resources to this area. Within personal injury, a lawyer has a massive number of possible claims. These include accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, workplace injury and more. Some lawyers choose to go further and devote all of their energy and time to a single area of litigation in the personal injury law field, becoming very thorough and experienced at arguing specific types of cases such as work accidents, aviation accidents or medical mistakes.What is the career makeup of a personal injury lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers are free to start private practice by themselves, join a midsize firm or opt for a large firm as an associate. They are also free to partner. The ones who enter private practice offer more individualized advantages to clients. These practitioners usually take on smaller cases and charge lower fees. In terms of numbers, small law firms usually have two to ten lawyers, midsized law firms have ten to fifty. Big law firms often have more than 50 lawyers.How is a personal injury lawyers usually compensated?
Professional fees are based on a number of factors, including energy, time, outcome, difficulty, prominence, the experience of the lawyer, and the associated costs of the case. A lawyer may offer the plaintiff a number of payment options, including contingency fees, flat fees, hourly rates and retainers. The most common option is the contingency fee. This protects the client because payment is pegged on the success of the case. Here the lawyer receives a percentage of the awarded amount after a successful trial or settlement. The average mark is 30 percent of the awarded amount. An hourly charge is also a common option. This is where the plaintiff pays for every hour the lawyer represents them. A flat fee option is also available. A flat fee is paid prior to the commencement of the trial. Lastly, some options combine all or more than one of the above options.…5 Things to Know About Hiring a Family Law Attorney

1. What Does a Family Lawyer Do?
What is family law? What do family lawyers do? These are common questions, so don’t feel bad if you’re still unsure about whether or not a family attorney is an appropriate person to assist with your case. Put simply, family lawyers take on cases that have to do with family-related problems. Some common issues that these lawyers handle include the following:…7 Key Reasons Why You Should Set Up Your Own Law Firm

Here are 7 key reasons why you should set up your own law firm:
1) You Can Specialize in The Area of Law You’re Interested and Experienced In
No matter where your experience lies, whether it is in family law, corporate law or criminal law, you can create a law firm around it. This flexibility is very appealing to lawyers that want to focus on one area in particular – rather than a combination of different types. No longer will you be constrained to practice a certain type depending on where you work. Now, you can build your law firm around an area of law that you are interested in. This is perhaps the most common reason why so many lawyers start a firm of their own.2) You Can Choose When/Where You Work
Following on from the above, two more elements that will be flexible are – when you work and the location you work from. In the past, it’s likely that you compromised on these because you worked for a bigger law firm with constraints. But now, you’re the boss and you are in control of this! So you can decide exactly where the office is based around the country and the specific hours that you work. Although this might feel like a daunting prospect at first, with the right planning and organization, it could be a benefit that you appreciate.3) You Will See The Money the Firm Makes
In some cases, when you work for a big firm you hardly see the money that it makes from each case it takes on. However, when you start up your own law firm, you’ll see the value of working with each client.4) You’re in Charge of Hiring Staff
When you work for a larger firm, you don’t have any control over who you work with. This may have led to work dissatisfaction, which had an effect on the service that you delivered clients. However, this will soon become a thing of the past as your business starts to find its feet. As the owner of your law firm, you have the opportunity to hire staff that aren’t only experienced in law and reliable, but that will fit into your law firm perfectly. You can also decide exactly how many staff members you’ll require – which could differ depending on whether you are starting out as a solo practitioner or looking to have a bigger team. Some people may also choose to partner with another lawyer, rather than go into this venture on their own.5) You Have Greater Control Over The Cases
Another prominent reason why so many people opt to start their own law firm is that it gives them control over the cases they work on. You’ll no longer have to take on cases that you deem to be baseless – now you can ensure that you’re offering a service that’s useful and relevant to your clients. Previously, it’s likely that you had to work on cases simply because you were directed to do so by your superiors. But now, you will have the choice as to which clients you represent. Becoming so much more than just numbers on the rota, your law firm will be seen as a reputable and trustworthy business.6) Your Previous Clients Will Want Work with You
If you have years of experience working in law, chances are you have a catalogue of happy and loyal clients. Once you start your own law firm, there’s a high chance that these clients will follow you as they are familiar with what you have to offer. The basis from which you can grow your company, these clients can provide you with useful testimonials and reviews. However, it’s important to realize that it’s likely that not all of your clients will follow through when the time comes. Therefore, it’s a good idea to try and appeal to as many new clients as possible from the outset. Any clients that you’ve previously worked with that do follow you will then be a bonus.) You’re Craving a Challenge
As aforementioned, starting your own law firm is a challenge. And one that many people aren’t fully prepared for. But if you are ready for the challenge and want to push yourself, then it can be a decision that will transform our life. Not only will you have to market yourself and network at events so that you can acquire new clients, but you will have to ensure that you’re delivering excellent services to each of them. All this while adding a touch of your personality may be overwhelming to some. But by sitting back, reevaluating and taking on the fear you’ll recognize that the end result is worth it.Final Thoughts
Those are just 7 of the key reasons why you should set up your own law firm. No matter where you’re located in the world, where your experience lies and what cases you take on, your law firm stands a chance of becoming one of the most competitive within the industry.…5 Steps to Establishing a Family Law Firm

Here are the Steps to Establish a Family Law Firm
1. Find Your Niche
Your law firm will benefit the most from focusing on a particular niche market. Focus on your niche before your law firm ever accepts its first client so that you set yourself up for success when it does. You’ve picked a niche in becoming a family law attorney. Do you want to address all areas of family law, or do you want to narrow your practice even further into sub-specialties such as international adoption, LGBTQ family issues, or high-asset divorce, for instance? What training, education, and experience have you acquired that most other people in your niche have not? Outside of the practice of law, how can you best connect with your target market? Your website and social media platforms should make your niche clear to prospective clients. You can use these platforms as a place to market your services and tell potential law clients why they should hire you instead of the competition.2. Register Your Business
Before starting a law firm of any type, you need to register your business with your state’s Department of Corporations. Companies need to register to be official in the state’s eyes (s) they operate in. However, before taking this step, it’s necessary to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS. This number is unique to your firm and is required to file both state and federal income taxes and for reporting your employee’s income taxes, including any revenue you pay yourself. Upon registering your business with the state, you will also need to provide the following information:- Officer name(s) and their primary mailing address
- A registered agent, along with their address
3. Reserve a Unique and Memorable Domain Name for Your Website
In today’s digital age, no company or firm will survive without some sort of online presence. If you can’t be found online, you likely don’t exist with your potential clients. The first step in building an online presence is to reserve a domain name. The web address or URL someone uses to access a website is a domain name. Getting one might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of establishing your law firm; however, it’s imperative to your business’s short- and long-term success. Select a domain name that is exclusive to your family law firm, but don’t let it get overly long or complicated. Domain names that are wordy, confusing, or difficult to recall may not be found by your potential clients when they go to find you online. You should provide prospective clients who want to visit your website with a smooth and effortless process. If that’s not what they experience, they will most likely look elsewhere online for their legal service needs. Don’t let something as simple as a difficult domain name deter prospective clients from getting the help you offer.4. Create an Optimized Website
A short and catchy domain name for users is a necessary step. Still, you’ll need to develop a website that’s built for search engine optimization (SEO). SEO (search engine optimization) is a form of internet marketing. It can help your website rank higher in search engine results. A website’s SEO can make the difference between having it readily visible on the internet or being buried in millions of results and ultimately overlooked. As a future business owner, you might be alarmed to learn that 75% of Google users never scroll past the first page of search results. If you can’t get your website to rank on this first page, preferably in the first few results, it can be very difficult to get the clients you need to keep your business afloat. For instance, if you’re a Seattle lawyer working on divorce cases, you’ll want to rank on the first page of Google results for “Seattle divorce attorneys.” Ways to optimize your website’s rankings include:- Using videos and photographs
- Regularly posting blog content that uses searchable keywords and phrases
5. Utilize Your Networking Power

Follow These Steps to Establish a Successful Family Law Firm
Starting a business of any kind is a challenge. Getting past the first year or two can be a relief, but it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Sadly, more than half of all entrepreneurs fail after their fifth year in business. However, you don’t need to contribute to that statistic and can help avoid it by following these steps to establish a family law firm.…What is Family Law?

Helpful Terms to Know
- Emancipation: A court process through which a minor becomes self-supporting, assumes adult responsibility for their personal welfare, and is no longer under the care of their parents.
- Marital Property: Property acquired by either spouse during the course of a marriage that is subject to division upon divorce.
- Alimony: An allowance made to one spouse by the other for support during or after a legal separation or divorce.
- Paternity: Origin or descent from a father (to establish paternity is to confirm the identity of a child's biological father).
- Prenuptial Agreement: An agreement made between a man and a woman before marrying in which they give up future rights to each other's property in the event of a divorce or death.
Reasons to Hire a Family Law Attorney
Most family lawyers represent clients in divorce proceedings and other matters related to divorce. But family law is a relatively broad practice area, including such issues as foster care and reproductive rights. Since family law matters hit so close to home, having a trusted legal professional by your side can help you ensure your loved ones are properly represented and protected during any legal process. The most common reasons to hire a family law attorney include:- Divorce: Each partner hires their own attorney, who will help devise a settlement plan in order to avoid a trial. Divorce attorneys typically are skilled at dividing marital property, calculating spousal support, and proposing a plan for child custody, visitation, and support (if applicable).
- Child Custody / Child Support: Court orders and settlement agreements involving both custody and support usually are included in the larger divorce case, but may be revisited as conditions change. For instance, child support may be altered after the non-custodial parent's financial situation changes.
- Paternity: In most cases, paternity cases are filed by the mother in an effort to secure child support payments from an absent father. But sometimes biological fathers file for paternity in order to have a relationship with their child. Paternity typically is determined through DNA testing.
- Adoption / Foster Care: Adoption is a complex process that differs according to the type of adoption, where the child is from, variances in state laws, and other factors. Therefore, it's important to consult with a family law attorney. Foster parents sometimes adopt their foster children, but the foster process does not necessarily require legal representation.
Related Practice Areas
Family law often intersects with a wide range of other legal practice areas. For example, instances of domestic violence and child abuse typically involve criminal investigations (and may result in arrests and charges). Along with that process, family courts are tasked with determining how to best protect the victims and ensure a relatively safe environment for those involved. Other related legal practice areas include the following:Marriage and Divorce Laws Vary by State
States have the right to determine "reasonable formal requirements" for marriage, including age and legal capacity, as well as the rules and procedures for divorce and other family law matters. The timeframe of the divorce process, for example, depends on location. Some states have divorce laws that require a waiting period. Same-sex marriage has historically been a state matter. Prior to the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, some states restricted marriage (and divorce) to opposite-sex couples only.Need Help With a Family Law Matter? Talk to a Professional
Whether you're in the process of a divorce, need help with an adoption, or have questions about enforcing a child support order, it's often in your best interests to work with an attorney. Get the help you need by contacting an experienced family law attorney near you.…11 Benefits of Law School
Why choose a career in law?
Working in a career in legal industry can provide you with a challenging, yet rewarding career. Employees who work in the legal industry are able to develop analytical and problem-solving skills. With these skills, they have the ability to solve problems, sometimes right in their own communities. Law careers are versatile and flexible, making them a good career for people who enjoy an ever-changing schedule.
Because there are so many types of law, a career in the legal industry can also allow you to choose a field that interests you most. You can represent clients in real estate transactions, family disagreements, contract disputes, or even work with businesses in evaluating contracts. The services of a lawyer are always in demand as people must deal with contracts and conflicts regularly.
Whether you decide to pursue a career working as a lawyer, or you want to complete a law school education as a backup, the skills and knowledge earned from a law school degree can be valuable.
Related: How To Prepare for Law School (With Tips)
Benefits of law school
There are many benefits of law school that go beyond even working as a lawyer, including:
Development of desirable skills
A law school education develops certain desirable skills that can be used in a wide variety of careers. Law school can help develop critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. it can also help develop analytical thinking, which can be applied to many industries. The law school also strengthens your reading, writing, project management, and problem-solving skills.
The law school also requires you to develop research skills, as you build cases and defenses based on prior precedents. Research skills are transferable to numerous industries.
Related: Benefits of Using Logic Models in the Workplace (With Tips)
Learn how to review contracts
Contracts can be a part of daily life, whether you are accepting a new job or signing an agreement at work. A law school education can provide you with the research skills you need to learn how to review contracts. Most careers will require you to work with some type of contract and your training will help you review the fine print of each contract.
Related: Contracts of Employment: A Comprehensive Guide
Provide you with a foundation for further education
A law school degree can also be a good foundation for further education. Even if you decide to pursue a career in a different industry, law school can help you prepare for other them, including politics, finance, media, real estate, academics, and entrepreneurship. A law school education not only gives you the skills you need to do well in these academic programs, but it can also make you a more competitive college applicant.
Social change opportunities
A law school education can help you make a difference in your community. It gives you the knowledge and opportunity to take action on issues of social injustice and inequality. With a law degree, you have the chance to make a positive difference. This can also qualify you for additional positions within the community, as a representative or working for a nonprofit organization.
Related: The Fundamentals of Nonprofits
Make you a competitive applicant
Being admitted and fulfilling the requirements of law school is no easy task. A law school degree can improve your credibility and highlight your dedication as an employee. Graduating with a J.D. can earn you respect and make you a highly qualified candidate, regardless of the type of career chosen. The hard work that goes into a law degree can also make you a highly competitive candidate for earning a promotion at work.
Development of soft skills
The law school also helps you develop certain soft skills, like self-confidence and leadership. The coursework and training provided in law school can make you a more confident and effective debater, presenter, and overall employee. Your education can also help with developing verbal and nonverbal communication skills as you learn to actively listen and prepare your responses.
A law degree also strengthens problem-solving skills, which are crucial in many careers. The development of these soft skills can not only make you a more competitive candidate in regards to your resume, but it can also make you a more confident interviewer.
Develop a better understanding of the law
By completing law school, you will also have a better understanding of the law and your legal rights. This could be beneficial when negotiating employment contracts or facilitating a work deal. Whether you are seeking a promotion at work or you want to pursue a new career, skills in negotiations and evaluating contracts are always desirable.
Additional employment opportunities
Even if you decide to pursue a career other than law, you will always have the option to return to the legal industry to work as a lawyer. While law school can develop your skills for many different careers, you may decide to pursue a career as a lawyer. Additionally, lawyers usually have a high average salary, which can be a bonus.
Opportunity for hands-on experience
Many law schools require internship experience, which gives you the opportunity to develop skills with hands-on experience. You will get the chance to work closely with people, solve problems and analyze information. During these hands-on experiences, you will learn to work with people of all types and find unique ways to solve problems.
An internship can also help you take soft skills and apply them in real situations. This gives you an advantage when applying for new positions, especially against other entry-level candidates.
The ability to network
Law school can provide you with valuable networking opportunities. In addition to the staff who come from all backgrounds, you will develop close working relationships with peers. These peers will go on to work in many different industries, which may be important to your career path. Whether you are looking for a new job or you need resources in your current position, your prior law school peers can be a good resource.
Develop entrepreneurial skills
Attending law school can provide you with a good foundation for becoming an entrepreneur. You will have the skills you need to review contracts, ensuring you always get the best deal. Your developed skills in negotiations and conflict resolution will also be useful as you build your business. Also, having a law school degree can make you a credible business owner, helping you earn the trust of your customers.
…10 Law School Personal Statement Examples in January 2022
Law School Personal Statements: More Than Just Following Directions
Students are always asking how to write a personal statement for law school, particularly one that stands out from all the rest. After all, advice from most universities can often be quite vague. Take this zinger from the University of Chicago: “Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you… Just be yourself.” For motivated students with the world at their fingertips, it’s a tough ask to narrow your character down into a few hundred words! But this is exactly the point of such generic guidelines—to challenge aspiring law students to produce something unique and convincing with minimal direction by the university. Law is, after all, a profession that demands your language to be persuasive, and the personal statement is merely one of many exercises where you can demonstrate your language skills. While the law school personal statement is about far more than just following essay directions, you still need to keep basic formatting and length restrictions in mind. Most law schools ask for a 2-page personal statement, but lengths can range from 2-4 pages. Georgetown, for instance, recommends a 2-page personal statement but explicitly states that there is no official minimum or maximum. In general, length does not make a personal statement better. Rambling, meandering sentences and tiresome descriptions will only hurt the impact of your ideas, especially considering how many thousands of pages admissions committees have to churn through each year.Here's Another Law School Personal Statement Example: #2
In my home community, the belief is that the law is against us. The law oppresses and victimizes. I must admit that as a child and young person I had this opinion based on my environment and the conversations around me. I did not understand that the law could be a vehicle for social change, and I certainly did not imagine I had the ability and talents to be a voice for this change. I regularly attended my high school classes because I enjoyed the discussions and reading for English and history, and writing came easily to me, but I wasn’t committed to getting good grades because I felt I had no purpose. My mindset changed as I spent time with Mark Russell, a law student who agreed to mentor and tutor me as part of a “high school to law school” mentorship program. Every week, for three years, Mark and I would meet. At first, Mark tutored me, but I quickly became an “A” student, not only because of the tutoring, but because my ambitions were uncorked by what Mark shared with me about university, the law, and his life. I learned grades were the currency I needed to succeed. I attended mock trials, court hearings, and law lectures with Mark and developed a fresh understanding of the law that piqued an interest in law school. My outlook has changed because my mentor, my teachers, and my self-advocacy facilitated my growth. Still, injustices do occur. The difference is that I now believe the law can be an instrument for social change, but voices like mine must give direction to policy and resources in order to fight those injustices. Early in my mentorship, I realized it was necessary to be “in the world” differently if I were to truly consider a law career. With Mark’s help and the support of my high school teachers, I learned to advocate for myself and explore opportunities that would expand my worldview as well as my academic skills. I joined a Model UN club at a neighboring high school, because my own school did not have enough student interest to have a club. By discussing global issues and writing decisions, I began to feel powerful and confident with my ability to gather evidence and make meaningful decisions about real global issues. As I built my leadership, writing, and public speaking skills, I noticed a rift developing with some of my friends. I wanted them to begin to think about larger systemic issues outside of our immediate experience, as I was learning to, and to build confidence in new ways. I petitioned my school to start a Model UN and recruited enough students to populate the club. My friends did not join the club as I’d hoped, but before I graduated, we had 2 successful years with the students who did join. I began to understand that I cannot force change based on my own mandate, but I must listen attentively to the needs and desires of others in order to support them as they require. While I learned to advocate for myself throughout high school, I also learned to advocate for others. My neighbors, knowing my desire to be a lawyer, would often ask me to advocate on their behalf with small grievances. I would make phone calls, stand in line with them at government offices, and deal with difficult landlords. A woman, Elsa, asked me to review her rental agreement to help her understand why her landlord had rented it to someone else, rather than renewing her lease. I scoured the rental agreement, highlighted questionable sections, read the Residential Tenancies Act, and developed a strategy for approaching the landlord. Elsa and I sat down with the landlord and, upon seeing my binder complete with indices, he quickly conceded before I could even speak. That day, I understood evidence is the way to justice. My interest in justice grew, and while in university, I sought experiences to solidify my decision to pursue law. Last summer, I had the good fortune to work as a summer intern in the Crown Attorney’s Office responsible for criminal trial prosecutions. As the only pre-law intern, I was given tasks such as reviewing court tapes, verifying documents, and creating a binder with indices. I often went to court with the prosecutors where I learned a great deal about legal proceedings, and was at times horrified by human behavior. This made the atmosphere in the Crown Attorney’s office even more surprising. I worked with happy and passionate lawyers whose motivations were pubic service, the safety and well-being of communities, and justice. The moment I realized justice was their true objective, not the number of convictions, was the moment I decided to become a lawyer. I broke from the belief systems I was born into. I did this through education, mentorship, and self-advocacy. There is sadness because in this transition I left people behind, especially as I entered university. However, I am devoted to my home community. I understand the barriers that stand between youth and their success. As a law student, I will mentor as I was mentored, and as a lawyer, I will be a voice for change.What’s Great about this Second Law School Personal Statement?
Although the applicant expressed initial reservations about the law generally, the statement tells a compelling story of how the applicant's opinions began to shift and their interest in law began. They use real examples and show how that initial interest, once seeded, grew into dedication and passion. The statement therefore shows adaptability—receptiveness to new information and the ability to change both thought and behavior based on this new information. The writer describes realizing that they needed to be "in the world" differently! It's hard to convey such a grandiose idea without sounding cliche, but through their captivating and chronological narrative the writer successfully convinces the reader that this is the case with copious examples. It’s a fantastic case of showing rather than telling, describing specific causes they were involved with which demonstrate that the applicant is genuinely committed to a career in the law. This law school personal statement also discusses weighty, relatable challenges that they faced, such as the applicant's original feeling toward law, and the fact that they lost some friends along the way. However, the applicant shows determination to move past these hurdles without self-pity or other forms of navel-gazing. Additionally, this personal statement ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. The writer manages to craft an extremely immersive and believable story about their path to the present, while also managing to curate the details of this narrative to fit the specific values and mission of the school to which they’re applying.Here's Another Law School Personal Statement Example: #2
In my home community, the belief is that the law is against us. The law oppresses and victimizes. I must admit that as a child and young person I had this opinion based on my environment and the conversations around me. I did not understand that the law could be a vehicle for social change, and I certainly did not imagine I had the ability and talents to be a voice for this change. I regularly attended my high school classes because I enjoyed the discussions and reading for English and history, and writing came easily to me, but I wasn’t committed to getting good grades because I felt I had no purpose. My mindset changed as I spent time with Mark Russell, a law student who agreed to mentor and tutor me as part of a “high school to law school” mentorship program. Every week, for three years, Mark and I would meet. At first, Mark tutored me, but I quickly became an “A” student, not only because of the tutoring, but because my ambitions were uncorked by what Mark shared with me about university, the law, and his life. I learned grades were the currency I needed to succeed. I attended mock trials, court hearings, and law lectures with Mark and developed a fresh understanding of the law that piqued an interest in law school. My outlook has changed because my mentor, my teachers, and my self-advocacy facilitated my growth. Still, injustices do occur. The difference is that I now believe the law can be an instrument for social change, but voices like mine must give direction to policy and resources in order to fight those injustices. Early in my mentorship, I realized it was necessary to be “in the world” differently if I were to truly consider a law career. With Mark’s help and the support of my high school teachers, I learned to advocate for myself and explore opportunities that would expand my worldview as well as my academic skills. I joined a Model UN club at a neighboring high school, because my own school did not have enough student interest to have a club. By discussing global issues and writing decisions, I began to feel powerful and confident with my ability to gather evidence and make meaningful decisions about real global issues. As I built my leadership, writing, and public speaking skills, I noticed a rift developing with some of my friends. I wanted them to begin to think about larger systemic issues outside of our immediate experience, as I was learning to, and to build confidence in new ways. I petitioned my school to start a Model UN and recruited enough students to populate the club. My friends did not join the club as I’d hoped, but before I graduated, we had 2 successful years with the students who did join. I began to understand that I cannot force change based on my own mandate, but I must listen attentively to the needs and desires of others in order to support them as they require. While I learned to advocate for myself throughout high school, I also learned to advocate for others. My neighbors, knowing my desire to be a lawyer, would often ask me to advocate on their behalf with small grievances. I would make phone calls, stand in line with them at government offices, and deal with difficult landlords. A woman, Elsa, asked me to review her rental agreement to help her understand why her landlord had rented it to someone else, rather than renewing her lease. I scoured the rental agreement, highlighted questionable sections, read the Residential Tenancies Act, and developed a strategy for approaching the landlord. Elsa and I sat down with the landlord and, upon seeing my binder complete with indices, he quickly conceded before I could even speak. That day, I understood evidence is the way to justice. My interest in justice grew, and while in university, I sought experiences to solidify my decision to pursue law. Last summer, I had the good fortune to work as a summer intern in the Crown Attorney’s Office responsible for criminal trial prosecutions. As the only pre-law intern, I was given tasks such as reviewing court tapes, verifying documents, and creating a binder with indices. I often went to court with the prosecutors where I learned a great deal about legal proceedings, and was at times horrified by human behavior. This made the atmosphere in the Crown Attorney’s office even more surprising. I worked with happy and passionate lawyers whose motivations were pubic service, the safety and well-being of communities, and justice. The moment I realized justice was their true objective, not the number of convictions, was the moment I decided to become a lawyer. I broke from the belief systems I was born into. I did this through education, mentorship, and self-advocacy. There is sadness because in this transition I left people behind, especially as I entered university. However, I am devoted to my home community. I understand the barriers that stand between youth and their success. As a law student, I will mentor as I was mentored, and as a lawyer, I will be a voice for change.What’s Great about this Second Law School Personal Statement?
Although the applicant expressed initial reservations about the law generally, the statement tells a compelling story of how the applicant's opinions began to shift and their interest in law began. They use real examples and show how that initial interest, once seeded, grew into dedication and passion. The statement therefore shows adaptability—receptiveness to new information and the ability to change both thought and behavior based on this new information. The writer describes realizing that they needed to be "in the world" differently! It's hard to convey such a grandiose idea without sounding cliche, but through their captivating and chronological narrative the writer successfully convinces the reader that this is the case with copious examples. It’s a fantastic case of showing rather than telling, describing specific causes they were involved with which demonstrate that the applicant is genuinely committed to a career in the law. This law school personal statement also discusses weighty, relatable challenges that they faced, such as the applicant's original feeling toward law, and the fact that they lost some friends along the way. However, the applicant shows determination to move past these hurdles without self-pity or other forms of navel-gazing. Additionally, this personal statement ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. The writer manages to craft an extremely immersive and believable story about their path to the present, while also managing to curate the details of this narrative to fit the specific values and mission of the school to which they’re applying.The Top 7 Benefits of Being a Lawyer



BUILDING A STRONG ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

WHAT ARE SOME FACTORS YOU CONSIDER TO BE IMPORTANT IN DEVELOPING A STRONG ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP?
I think maybe the biggest thing is taking all the time that is necessary. Just like in any relationship, a good relationship, trust, or rapport, develops with time. You’re not going to get a good rapport with someone who is only willing to give you ten minutes. You need to be spending a lot of time at every phase. There has to be great communication, there has to be easy communication. From being able to get a hold of a person, and getting a response within a reasonable time, to them really giving you their time in person or on the phone. Part of building a rapport is having someone who’s really willing to listen. But, there’s a flip side to that too. You also want to find someone who’s going to give you tough love and who’s going to give you strong advice. You want someone who you respect as a client because the attorney gives it to you straight.When individuals hire a private defense attorney, they are putting their hard-earned dollars towards trying to defend a case and they’re paying for the experience, they’re paying for an opinion, and they’re always entitled to hear the truth from their lawyer. They’re always entitled to hear what the lawyer thinks and sometimes that’s not going to be what they want to hear. But you definitely don’t want someone who’s just going to tell you what you want to hear and at the end of the process, when the outcome is bad say, well, it’s the judge’s fault or it’s someone else’s fault. You want someone who gives you that balance of listening but also using a firm, experienced hand in guiding you.
HOW DO YOU STRIVE PERSONALLY TO BUILD A STRONG ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP?
