Summary
Roles of the lawyer
Observance of the law
The lawyer is responsible for advising people, natural or legal, on all possible problems in the field of law. It organizes the application of laws and ensures compliance with regulations. He may also draft or have authenticated deeds drafted.
Defense of customers
The lawyer is often mandated to defend an interest. Thus it adapts the regulations to the needs of its customers. For this, he studies and interprets the texts.
Legal monitoring
The lawyer constantly studies the legislation. It also analyzes:
- regulations ;
- case law;
- the theory ;
- and all legal commentary.
Lawyer working conditions
Various fields
The lawyer is often specialized. It can intervene in:
- company law;
- business law;
- international law ;
- or industrial property.
The lawyer faces many constraints since he faces a multitude of situations and interlocutors.
Different statuses
The lawyer can be an employee of a company or a firm. In this case he exercises on behalf of his employer, who engages his own responsibility.
But the lawyer can also have a liberal activity and have his own firm. He is liable and may employ employees.
Strict conditions
The lawyer carries out a particularly regulated work. He must take an oath, guarantee professional secrecy… His hours depend on the place to which he is attached, but he may have to perform on-call duty.
Between papers and travel
The lawyer is often required to travel, even if he carries out substantial documentation work in his office. It actually goes:
- In the enterprises ;
- in the courts;
- meet customers…
How much does a lawyer earn?
Depending on the environment in which he works and his seniority, the lawyer can earn from €2,300 to more than €10,000 net monthly.
Training to become a lawyer
Minimum baccalaureate + 5
Several diplomas lead to the profession of lawyer, but rare are the candidates who carry out this profession without holding a master’s degree.
- research master’s degree in business law;
- research master’s degree in business law, specializing in business law;
- professional master’s degree in business law and taxation;
- professional master’s degree in labor relations law and practice;
- professional master’s degree in private law and judicial careers.
ECDD
Another training is particularly popular: the diploma of corporate legal counsel. It is accessible on file and is prepared after a baccalaureate + 4 in law.
Schools
The future lawyer can also decide to follow a master’s degree specializing in the legal sector, after his master 2, offered in major business schools.
Students who have followed a double course: law degree and specialized master’s degree from a business school are indeed highly appreciated, as well as training from an institute of political studies or an institute of business administration.
Mandatory English
The lawyer must master at least business English. A year abroad or an Anglo-Saxon diploma often make the difference.
Qualifications needed to become a lawyer
Know everything
The lawyer perfectly masters:
- the right of work ;
- social law;
- or business law.
It also has a good economic and financial culture. He knows the industry in which he works. And he continues to document and keep himself informed.
Analyze
The lawyer must be able to quickly identify a problem, and to synthesize it. He often has to explain this dispute: it must be clear and methodical.
Listen
The lawyer meets many people with different situations, sometimes particularly difficult. He must demonstrate patience, diplomacy and a certain tact when speaking to his clients.
Content updated on 05/06/2012