From Pupil to Lawyer - 10 Tips to be Confirmed

Ever so often, I am asked by law students and pupils on tips to be guaranteed a spot in the firm as a lawyer once pupillage is completed.

To assist (as much as I can) and rather than constantly verbally repeating my answers (like a broken vinyl), I set out below my top 10 “tips”.

1.????????Never be under the misconception that a template will do you right. Everything varies. There is no magic formula or template to guarantee a 100% retention rate. However, the following “tips” might tilt the probabilities in your favour. I wish you all the best.??

2.????????There will be a substantial gap (for the most part) between you and your pupil-master. This is simply because your master is only able to take on a pupil when he/she has concluded 7 years of practice. Because of this, understandably there will exist a divergence both in approach and thought. The wonderful aspect on this is that both can share and teach each other (presumably that both are open to change).??

3.????????Never assume or think that your personal experience is shared by your pupil-master. Hence, express to your pupil master unequivocally what runs in your mind i.e. your fears, expectations etc.

4.????????Try as much as possible to be indispensable to your pupil-master. Offer time, research and effort. In this aspect, you should know the nuances and expectations of your pupil-master. Ultimately, do everything possible to make your pupil-master come to the realisation that with you, his/her life is that much better. Don’t make him/her feel that you are dead weight. ???

5.????????Try to find out the interests of your pupil-master and align your thoughts and actions in that direction.

6.????????Be as genuine with the above. Never ever be fake or superficial. Here’s the warning - your pupil-master who has at least 7 years of practice can and would be able to spot mere lip-service, pretentiousness and fakery a mile away. Even if you think you talked your way out of things, chances are your pupil-master saw through it. ?On that note, you will never go wrong if your mindset is “to help everyone”.

7. Be concise in explaining facts and issues to your pupil-master. He/She does not want or need to listen to a word-by-word description. Summarise it. ?

8. Following from paragraph 7 above, the next part is to give solutions. You are groomed to be a lawyer. As a lawyer, come up with solutions. Never be the person who goes to your pupil-master to set out problems and ask him/her for solutions. "Wow" your pupil-master.

9. Never take for granted the time, effort and lessons from your pupil-master. Those resources could have been used for clients but instead channeled to you.

10. Ultimately if you do all of the above and yet not retained, do not be disheartened. Like all relationships, it boils down to the chemistry between you and your pupil-master. Until and unless your pupil-master makes an offer to you, don’t ever assume that you shall automatically be retained.

I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts. Feel free to comment.?