ADVICE TO LAW ASPIRANTS

Introduction & Most important Skill

Summary: After spending fifty-two years, I am often asked what advice I advise do I have for law students. I thought it would be a good idea to pen it down. Here is its first post introducing it and the most skill needed in the legal world.

Talking to the students of Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow after a talk on 27th March 2010 

ADVICE TO LAW ASPIRANTS

Introduction & Most Important Skill।। ।।

इस चिट्ठी को हिन्दी में यहां पढ़ा जा सकता है।

Law being all pervasive, its study opens up more options than any other discipline. You may opt for business or become an industrialist or take up civil services or jump in social service, politics. You think of a profession or vocation, and a law degree sufficiently equips you for that. However, here is some advice for those opting for the ‘Legal World’.

1st: Good Communication Skill

‘Legal world’ broadly encompasses, litigation lawyers (practising lawyers as well as law firms dealing with litigation), corporate lawyers (Corporate Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel), judicial services, and law teachers. The most important skill for the ‘Legal world’ is communication:

• Litigation lawyers communicate through their oral arguments and drafting of pleadings;
• Corporate lawyers through their legal planning and drafting documents;
• Judges communicate through their judgements; and 
• Teachers through their teaching skills. 

In the legal world, good communication skill in writing as well as speaking are essential. Better the language, better will be communication in that. 

It is important to improve language. A good knowledge of any language is always advantageous but a person in the legal world should have good idea about three languages:

1. Your State language – Most district-court proceedings, communication with local clients, and local records use it. Translations are often inaccurate; knowing the language helps avoid errors. 
2. English – The language of higher courts and the corporate world. Essential for anyone aiming to practise beyond district courts.
3. Hindi – The official language of India and the most widely understood across states.

Mastering these three, will help you to excel in the legal world. 

Conclusion: Law opens up more vista than any other degree and communication is its most important qualification. 

In the next instalment of Advice to Law Aspirants, I will discuss the how to improve communication. 

#AdviceLawAspirants #AdviceLawStudents #Advice #SelfImprovement