How to become a Lawyer

Lawyers provide advice, write documents and conduct negotiations on legal matters, and may represent clients in court and tribunal proceedings. They are described as solicitors or barristers, depending on the work they do.

Personal requirements for a Lawyer

Good oral and written communication skills
Able to understand, analyse and use facts quickly and logically
Able to work under pressure and deal with a variety of people
Integrity and good character
Organised and logical
Strong problem solving skills
Able to care and empathise

Education & Training for a Lawyer

To become a lawyer you usually have to complete a degree in law at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with English. Students are often advised to undertake a combined degree course that leads to two degrees. The prerequisite subjects required for entry into these combined courses depend on the non-law component of the combined course. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Bar examinations must be obtained after studying. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Additional information

To work as a lawyer in Australia you must obtain a Local Practising Certificate. To be granted a certificate, further study and an approved practical training course after completion of a law degree are required. On completion of the required academic and practical legal training you may apply to the Supreme Court for admission as a lawyer. To be eligible for admission you must satisfy the requirements of the legal board in your state or territory. Qualified legal practitioners may undertake further study to obtain a barrister's practicing certificate to become a barrister.

Duties & Tasks of a Lawyer

Lawyers:

Interview clients to determine the nature of problems, and recommend and undertake appropriate legal action
Prepare cases for court by conducting investigations, undertaking research, arranging witness preparation and attendance, and giving notice of court actions
Represent clients in court
Manage conveyancing and other property matters by preparing contracts of sale, mortgage documents, lease documents and other documents relating to the transfer of land and buildings
Prepare and critically review contracts between parties
Prepare wills
Provide advice on family law, company law, partnerships, commercial law and trusts
Act as trustee or guardian
Act as executor of clients' wills.

Tasks

Preparing wills
Managing conveyancing and other property matters by preparing contracts of sale, mortgage documents, lease documents and other documents relating to the transfer of land and buildings
May act as trustee or guardian
Interviewing clients to determine the nature of problems, and recommending and undertaking appropriate legal action
May act as executor of clients' wills
Preparing and critically reviewing contracts between parties
Preparing cases for court by conducting investigations, undertaking research, arranging witness preparation and attendance, and giving notice of court actions
Representing clients in court
Providing advice on family law, company law, partnerships, commercial law and trusts

Working conditions for a Lawyer

The distinction between solicitors and barristers varies from state to state. In NSW, Victoria and Queensland, lawyers practise as either a solicitor or a barrister. In the ACT, the NT, SA, Tasmania and WA, the work of barristers and solicitors is usually combined, with many lawyers describing themselves as a 'barrister and solicitor'.

Employment Opportunities for a Lawyer

Solicitors may work in private legal practices, either on their own or in a partnership. They may also work in state, territory or federal government departments, in community law centres or with business corporations.Barristers are self-employed but normally practise in chambers with other barristers. Barristers may be promoted to Senior Counsel and eventually be appointed as a judge. Barristers and solicitors may also become magistrates.Some lawyers do not remain within the profession, and move into administrative positions in commerce and industry or in the public service. With experience, it is possible to progress to positions such as magistrate or judge.

Specializations

Solicitor

A solicitor may specialise in areas such as property, probate, workers' compensation, family law, personal injuries litigation, commercial law or criminal law.

Barrister

A barrister provides legal advice and drafts documents in complex matters. They conduct negotiations and appear in courts and tribunal hearings on behalf of clients. Generally, the barrister is briefed by a solicitor, who instructs the barrister on behalf of a company or private person when a case requires specialist expertise or advocacy skills. A barrister may also undertake research and consult with clients and witnesses. Barristers wear wigs and gowns in some courts, while solicitors do not. It is common to practise as a solicitor for a few years before becoming a barrister.

Judge

A judge presides over civil and criminal proceedings in courts of law, making sure that trials are run fairly, according to the rules of law and evidence.

Magistrate

A magistrate hears criminal matters to determine whether defendants will be committed for trial, and judges criminal offences without a jury.

Lawyer

Average age
39 years
Future Growth
Stable
Gender Share
51% female
Average full-time
48 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,646
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
84% Full-Time
Employment Size
64,000 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 3.4%
NSW: 38.9%
NT: 0.7%
QLD: 17.2%
SA: 5.0%
TAS: 1.1%
VIC: 25.5%
WA: 8.2%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 3.5%
25-34: 34.8%
35-44: 24.9%
45-54: 17.6%
55-59: 7.4%
60-64: 5.9%
65 and Over: 5.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 0.8%
Bachelor degree: 68.7%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 0.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 29.1%
Year 10 and below: 0.1%
Year 11: 0%
Year 12: 1.2%
Years 11 & 10: 0%