A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients (individuals or corporations) about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other matters in which legal advice and other assistance are sought.
Arrangements
Law firms are organized in a variety of ways, depending on the jurisdiction in which the firm practices. Common arrangements include:
Sole proprietorship, in which the attorney is the law firm and is responsible for all profit, loss and liability;
General partnership, in which all the attorneys who are members of the firm share ownership, profits and liabilities;
Professional corporations, which issue stock to the attorneys in a fashion similar to that of a business corporation;
Limited liability company, in which the attorney-owners are called “members” but are not directly liable to third party creditors of the law firm (prohibited as against public policy in many jurisdictions but allowed in others in the form of a “Professional Limited Liability Company” or “PLLC”);
Professional association, which operates similarly to a professional corporation or a limited
Limited liability partnership (LLP), in which the attorney-owners are partners with one another, but no partner is liable to any creditor of the law firm nor is any partner liable for any negligence on the part of any other partner. The LLP is taxed as a partnership while enjoying the liability protection of a corporation.
Law work experience is a vital part of pursuing a law career. Whether you want to be a solicitor, a barrister, or any other type of legal professional, law work experience is essential. Edmonton law firms work experience, for example, will help you to confirm whether your chosen career path is right for you, as well as opening doors and providing a vital boost to your CV when applying for law jobs. This page gives a general overview of law work experience.
Benefits of Law Work Experience
For anyone considering a law career, obtaining law work experience is a crucial first step. The benefits are numerous:
It will help you to ascertain whether you want to study and ultimately practise law.
It is helpful in deciding which career path you wish to choose (for example, a solicitor or a barrister).
Hands-on law work experience looks great on your CV and will provide genuine and relevant content for inclusion in application forms and discussion at interview.
It will help to demonstrate and reinforce your commitment to studying law and legal practice.
It can help you to consider which area of law you may want to specialize.
It gives firms and chambers an indication of your interests in their organization.
It will give you a taste of the routine of a solicitor or barrister, and you will have the chance to see what they must do and how they must act in order to be a successful lawyer.
Make the Most Out of Your Law Work Experience
Whatever law work experience you undertake, it is important to give it your all! Many people think that obtaining law work experience alone is enough. In reality, it is only one step. In order to shine you must reflect on your experiences.
To assist you in this process The Lawyer Portal has provided a free personal portfolio tool, which enables you to track your law work experience, and what you have gained from it, in a simple and transparent way. Whether it be:
Gaining experience in teamwork.
Solving a complex problem.