Professional life lawyer

Professional life lawyer

Several career choices

The lawyer is a liberal professional. He practices individually or as a partner. He can also be a liberal associate of a lawyer or of a law firm (a dominant mode of practice). Salaried workers are in the very minority in the profession.

Recommended specialization

Evolving in a highly competitive sector, the lawyer has every interest in specializing: business, tax, social, community law (linked to Europe), law related to new technologies (Internet, ICT: information technologies and communication ...) or the environment ...

Unequal income

Even if the profession is doing quite well, salaries vary a lot depending on the activity, the reputation and the location of the firm. Nothing compares between the very high earnings of a seasoned business lawyer practicing in a large Parisian firm and the modest income of most beginners ...

Beginner's salary

The first year, 2,700 euros gross per month for the liberal employee, 2,000 euros gross per month for the employee lawyer outside the bars of Paris and Ile-de-France (2,175 euros for the Parisian employee lawyer).

Working conditions

Different modes of activity

Practicing a liberal profession, the lawyer is his own boss. But its activities differ according to the type of firm (size, specialization ...) and its place of practice. The daily life of a lawyer practicing in a large Parisian business firm has nothing to do with that of a general practitioner. The first works on very specialized cases and does not plead (or little) in court. The second deals with all kinds of cases: divorces, commercial disputes, traffic violations ... It can be civil or criminal.

Pleading in court

The highlight of the professional life of a lawyer is undoubtedly the pleading (speech delivered at the hearing) in court. He must be particularly convincing, argue as effectively as possible without being impressed by the opposing party. It requires a talent for orator and a strong power of persuasion.

Files and appointments at the office

In addition to advocacy, the daily work of a lawyer takes place in his office. There, he studies the files entrusted to him and the procedures, verifies cases of jurisprudence, receives clients ...

Skills

Rigor and motivation

Rigorous, the lawyer is ready to work relentlessly without counting his hours: essential for success. He must also be very organized to juggle from one case to another and to respect the procedures and the judicial calendar (dates of hearings).

Writing skills

This personal investment goes hand in hand with excellent writing skills and mastery of laws, regulations and case law. To do this, the lawyer keeps up to date with legal news.

Discretion and charisma

Obliged to professional secrecy, the lawyer is the confidant of all the difficulties (legal but also economic ...) of his clients. A charismatic character, he is also distinguished by his talents as a speaker and his strong powers of persuasion, especially when pleading in court. Balanced, responsive, he knows how to manage tensions, especially at the time of the hearing. He must be able to adapt to any situation and to question himself every day.

Nature of the work

Defense of individuals and companies

Auxiliary of justice, the lawyer represents and defends before a court the individuals or the companies engaged in a lawsuit. He follows civil cases (accidents, divorces ...) or criminal (theft, crimes ...). In the context of criminal proceedings, he is present during police custody.

Advice and negotiation

At the request of clients confronted with the complexity of the laws, the lawyer can draft specific acts (employment contracts, company statutes, etc.). The creation of the "lawyer act" (resulting from the law modernizing the regulated judicial and legal professions) allows it to countersign certain acts under private signature (recognition of debt, residential or commercial lease, shareholders' agreement , etc.). Settling a dispute by avoiding a trial is also part of the lawyer's missions. It is up to him to negotiate, in order to find a solution favorable to the interests of his client. Mandated by several parties, it can perform a mediation mission leading to an amicable agreement.

Criminal and commercial law ...

The general practitioner deals with all types of cases (civil, criminal, commercial, etc.). When he is specialized, he offers his skills in human rights, criminal law, business law, real estate law ... This is often the case for professionals working in law firms. Business lawyers only practice for the corporate world. They advise companies on the legal aspects of their projects (merger, drafting