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4. Invest in professional development

Young lawyers must take the ultimate responsibility for their own professional development. Graduation from law school marks the beginning of the learning of the law, not the end. Using the analogy of a framed painting, the law school curriculum is only the frame while the painting is the accumulated knowledge, insight and experiences gained from the practice of law.

We have to constantly improve our legal knowledge and skills and be open to learning new things all the time. If we improve a little bit every day, over time, we will improve a lot.

In Malaysia, we are fortunate to have a robust Continuing Legal Education programme with wide-ranging lectures, workshops and seminars conducted by the Bar Council, the various State Bars and some private companies.

There are also vast legal resources in electronic formats on the Internet. As such, in this digital age, it is inexcusable for young lawyers for not tapping into the endless stream of available resources for the growth of legal skills and knowledge. We must stretch ourselves and place our careers on growth mode. If we do not invest in our own growth as lawyers, why would anyone else invest in us?

We must also be teachable and open to learning both legal and non-legal lessons from the people around us. Even the humble despatch clerk has many things to teach us if we open our ears to learning. We must also learn from our critics. Lawyers are known for holding strong opinions and we are often persuaded by the rightness of our positions.

However, there is a difference between having strong views and being obstinate. An obstinate person despises the views and ideas that are contrary to his own, and thus shuts the door close on a very valuable source of learning and development.

5. Create value wherever you are

Many young lawyers aspire, and some would demand, a high salary with numerous fringe benefits without a corresponding concern to the value that they are creating for the firms in which they are practicing. The focus of young lawyers should not be on what their employers and clients can do for them but on what they can do for their employers and clients.

We must avoid the attitude of entitlement like a plague. An attitude that is focused on “getting” will kill our chances in most places. Our work as young lawyers is only beginning and we are still lacking in terms of skill, knowledge and experience. Be patient.

The financial rewards will come, as we remain focused on achieving excellence in our practice. Someone has said, “Always do more than you are paid for and one day, you will be paid more than what you do.”

Also, a dose of enthusiasm will go a long way in making us better lawyers. If you look around the courts these days and see the grumpy faces of some lawyers, you will suppose that either they were forced to practice law or there is a durian growing on their backs. A joyless practice is a trap we must avoid at all costs.

As we start our professional journey, we must also remember to do good while doing well. Participate and contribute to your local Bar. Be involved in young lawyers activities. Learn leadership and communication skills as you organize projects for the Bar.

At the end of our lives, we will not be defined by what we get but by what we have given. So, be a value creator wherever you are.

Conclusion

The National Young Lawyers Committee is currently conducting a nationwide survey on the working conditions of the junior Bar in Malaysia.

The main purpose of this survey is to gather information on the practice demographics of young lawyers in Malaysia and to enable the National Young Lawyers Committee to better and effectively represent the needs and interests of young lawyers in Malaysia.

The data given on the survey forms will remain confidential with no names required to be given. It will be collated, analysed, consolidated and thereafter culminate in a report which will, inter alia, show the overall results of the survey.

With the report, the National Young Lawyers Committee intends to use a collective approach to improve the working conditions of young lawyers by engaging in dialogue with relevant parties. The dialogue may take different forms, and members will be notified of this in due course.

The report will also be a useful resource for employers who are interested to know the working trends of young lawyers. Employers who understand the needs and aspirations of young lawyers will be able to plan effective recruitment and retention programs to attract young legal talents to join their firms.
If you are a young lawyer, please take some time to fill up and return the survey forms to the Bar Council. You can make a difference in helping to promote a more conducive working environment for young lawyers in Malaysia.

Bibliography

1. “Twenty Lessons for Lawyers Starting Their Careers” by Dennis Kennedy

2. “Advice for Young Lawyers About Career Development” by Paula Nailon, J.D.

3. “Address to the American Association of Law Schools” by Janet Reno.

4. “The Ultimate Challenge: From School to Start Up” by Marie Beaudette

5. “The Fine Art of Firm Leadership – Building A Lasting Framework for Success, Change and Challenge” published by the Texas Lawyer editorial department.

 *The writer is the Deputy Chair of the National Young Lawyers’ Committee and Chair of the Malacca Young Lawyers Committee.

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