After graduating and passing the bar, lawyers who take the path of professional legal practice have to decide on the nature of their practice. Some immediately go for private practice and apply for positions in top law firms, while some may prefer to go into public practice and serve the government. Read on to find out the similarities and differences between public and private practice.
Private practice
One main reason why lawyers go for private practice in law firms is the financial rewards. Private lawyers can earn thousands of dollars in handling just one case. But aside from firms, lawyers can also go into private practice by serving as legal counsels to corporate clients. Some big-time companies hire their own in-house lawyers whose main responsibility is to handle whatever legal issues the company may face in labor practice and laws. Lawyers who want to maximize financial gain from their law school education would do well to go into private practice because it’s more financially rewarding than public legal practice.
Public practice
Lawyers who go into public practice are those employed the state or government to provide legal counsel and services to groups and individuals who do not have access to private lawyers. Pubic attorneys, or public defenders, hold noble jobs in that they ensure that the citizens’ right to be legally represented in courts is not violated. Cases of criminal nature are the ones often handled by public defenders, although handling labor and property cases is also commonplace.
The salaries of public defenders pale in comparison to those of private lawyers. Often, lawyers have to provide legal services pro bono because they represent people who cannot afford to get their own lawyers. The state shoulders the wages of public attorneys, which is not that impressive but is made up for by the numerous benefits and civil protection that they get.
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The requirements to hold public office do not include having a law degree. However, being a lawyer or having a law degree lends a certain edge to those who venture into politics. The knowledge gained in law school often translates to deep and informed understanding of the law. In this sense, a lawyer-politician can be seen as more able in formulating policies and legislations. Leadership and organization skills are either inborn or acquired, but an intensive knowledge of the law and pertinent legal matters can only be gained through a law school education.
This is not to say that law students are better suited to hold public office, as there are many knowledgeable and responsible politicians who do not have law degrees. They are spurred by their desire and commitment to serve the country and uphold the greater good. What we are saying, however, is that lawyers and law graduates can become promising politicians if they choose to. They can opt to put their knowledge and skills to good use by going into policy-making with the core principles of the Constitution in mind. The skills that lawyers acquire and will prove to be valuable for good governance include:
Excellent communication skills
Lawyers are trained to listen to people, assess their situations, and express their opinions and thoughts in an articulate manner. They are also equipped with good debating skills, something that is necessary if a politician is to lobby for policies and laws to be passed. In this sense, lawyers can make good politicians because having good communication skills ensures that they will be able to represent their constituents and bring to the surface the issues that need to be dealt with.
Analytical skills
Another skill that law school harnesses in their students is the ability to read and understand large volumes of text on laws, policies, and legal procedures. This skill is essential in politics because as policy makers, politicians have to carefully evaluate bills and policies and ensure that these don’t override existing laws.
Logical and critical thinking
The ability to employ logical and critical thinking is an essential skill that politicians should possess. This is because holding public office entails coming up with ways to address current issues and deciding which among the proposed solutions is feasible and effective. This type of thinking is often employed by lawyers when assessing court cases. Lawyers can make good politicians because they have years of experience in thinking critically and logically when faced with stifling situations and cases.
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