What Type of Person Thrives in the Legal Industry, According to a Law Clerk in State Government
Success in the legal industry hinges on more than just intelligence and organization; passion for the work, the ability to "make connections" with clients and colleagues, and empathy are key. Inquisitive individuals who enjoy "putting the pieces together" of legal puzzles, fueled by a genuine interest in their area of law—even if it's niche—tend to thrive in this demanding field.
Passionate, Empathetic, Inquisitive, Personable, Resilient
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erica Roberts
Law Clerk
State Government District
University of California, Los Angeles. Graduated 2018
The University of Texas School of Law
Economics
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Passion for the work and empathy for clients are key to thriving in the legal field.
2. The ability to connect with others (lawyers and clients) is crucial for success.
3. Inquisitiveness and the ability to solve puzzles are valuable assets for legal professionals, as law often involves piecing together information to solve a case or meet a client's needs.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in the legal industry?
All the law students and lawyers I know are pretty type A; they're organized and a little stressed. But it goes beyond being smart with books and things like that. I think most people could handle that aspect of the legal work.
I think it's about being personable and passionate about what you're doing. This involves making connections, not only with other lawyers in the community but also with your clients, and having empathy.
I have friends who are passionate about tax law. I don't quite understand it, and I don't relate to that, but they like it, and that's what keeps them working, especially because this field is pretty demanding. I'm sure I'm going to be working crazy hours next year, even though I'm not currently.
So, I think being passionate about what you're doing and remembering what you're doing it for is important. The paycheck helps, but also if you are interested and passionate about the type of work that you're doing. Law often is kind of like a puzzle; there's something missing, and you have to put the pieces together. So, people who are inquisitive in that way are probably also good attorneys.