Logical reasoning and critical thinking skills are essential to the practice of law. Analytical skills are necessary for all practice areas, whether you're structuring a multi-million-dollar deal or developing a trial strategy. You might enjoy being an attorney if you like logic puzzles, research, and critical thinking.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born in Indonesia, Being a Lawyer is a Childhood dream!
I've wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember, so much so that I don't really remember ever wanting to be anything else! My earliest memories of wanting to be a lawyer date back to when I was in primary school but I can't remember what triggered the idea in the first place. I just remember telling my heart and my mind I was going to be a lawyer.
All I really knew about being a lawyer was that I’d get to talk in court a lot and argue - both strengths of mine at the time. I was always in trouble for talking too much or 'getting on my high horse' about something.
As someone who loves fashion, the childhood dream of becoming a lawyer was probably nothing more than the idea of getting to wear a fancy dress and stilettos every day.
Fast forward a few years and I'm in law school. At the beginning of university, I studied law casually and then built friendships. However, I reached semester 5, I started to study seriously and focused on joining a study institution in the faculty. Yes, I fell in love! Fall in love with the law!
I dedicate all my time to studying and organizing law. Became the Head of Student Representative and Elected as a Lecturer Assistant. In 2015 I completed my study. I graduated and hold a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Then I did an internship at a law firm at the same time without hesitation, I continued my professional lawyer/advocate education, pass the bar exam then exactly 2 years of internship as a condition for getting a license, finally, in 2017 I was called the Bar PERADI at the Jakarta High Court Indonesia.
Dreams become reality! As a ‘baby’ lawyer, I worked across all areas of law. I was fortunate enough to have some amazing experiences very early in my career such assist in criminal law and divorce trials. While the thrill of being in court was amazing.
I then changed jobs a few years after my admission and started working at Malaysian Lawfirm as an Associate Lawyer for Corporate Department. Practice around Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. I still have no idea why primary school girl Hilda wanted to be a lawyer but I'm glad she did! What I do know is that I love my job! Beauty Pageant Award.
Being a lecturer assistant during my college days led me to have the courage to take part in a beauty contest in the field of education to represent the city where I was born. I got the title of Princess of Education DKI Jakarta in 2019.
Being an Author – My Book will be launching soon!
Not only that, talking about lawyers cannot be separated from always learning, reading, and writing. With the initiative to share the knowledge that I have gained after years of being a lawyer, writing a book will be launching soon.
2. What do you think are the key differences in studying law in India and other countries?
Studying Law in India VS Other Countries: -
Some individuals feel that they will get a well-rounded education from studying in a different country. This is true in many ways; in fact, studying abroad can actually boost a person's job prospects in his or her own country.
However, a person studying law should be aware that studying law in another country is quite different from studying law in India. Following are some important differences of which a law student will want to be aware.
Differences in Length of Study Time: -
In India, The basic Law degree (LLB) is a 3-year course. However, another option is to pursue an integrated honors degree offered by autonomous law schools, which takes 5 years to complete. E.g.: B.A., LL.B. (Honors); B.B.A, LL.B. (Honors), etc.
The options available for specialization are Constitutional law, Business Law, International Trade Law, Crime and criminology, International law, Law & Agriculture, and Intellectual Property law. However, in many other countries, the law is an undergraduate degree and a person can start studying law after having obtained his or her high school diploma.
Once a person has obtained his or her undergraduate degree in law, then that person is able to become a lawyer bypassing the country's equivalent of the BAR examination.
Law System Differences
A person who is studying law should be aware that there are two law systems in the world. These are the common law system and the civil law system. The common law system is used in the U.K. and its former colonies, including countries such as Australia, India, Pakistan, and the United States.
However, many other countries of the world use civil law. Naturally, a university in any given country will teach the type of law that governs the country in question.
The Ability to Work Internationally
India only allows nationals of the country to become lawyers. However, most countries will allow foreign nationals to practice law if these individuals, you will be required to qualify in certain exams/tests conducted by their Law Association to practice in that country as a Lawyer.
On the other hand, there are a lot of countries that do not allow students with Law degrees from foreign universities to practice in their country. A lot depends on the level of commonality between the laws of the two countries (the one you graduate from and the one you wish to practice in).
3. Which top institutes would you recommend for studying law?
- United States Yale, Harvard
- The United Kingdom, Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford
4. What advice would you pass on to someone who wants to be a lawyer?
Legal systems vary and typically, a lawyer trained in the laws of one jurisdiction is locked into it. Ideally, it is best to study Law in the country you wish to practice Law in. This will not only ensure that you are well–versed with that particular country’s law, but will also create a much simpler pathway to becoming a professional Lawyer in that country.
However, studying abroad helps a student gain knowledge of the law of another country and develop a broader perspective of law as a discipline. It also helps students who may not be aiming for a career in litigation but for one in multinational corporations. Many countries also have transfer and conversion pathways for foreign lawyers to become
licensed and in many, foreign lawyers work in international law firms. Thus, acting as a gateway to international legal career prospects.
Becoming a lawyer is an exciting and noble goal. The profession generally pays well, and you get to put that cool lawyer before or after your name (in some countries with different jurisdictions there are differently called lawyers).
You can choose from a variety of specialties, including corporate law, tax law, entertainment law, criminal law and etc. Should you be a lawyer? Here are several factors to consider.
Law School Timeline
Law school is a three-year program if you attend full time. You can only qualify for law school after you've received your bachelor’s degree, which typically takes at least four years or more if you're attending school full time.
Frequent Testing
During law school, you'll be tested regularly on course materials. Once you have your law degree, you'll need to pass your country/state's bar exam. If you want to practice in multiple countries/states, you'll need to pass the bar in each country/state.
Public Speaking
As an attorney, public speaking is a part of your day-to-day life. You'll present information to clients, juries, judges, arbitrators, opposing counsel, witnesses, boards, and colleagues.
Trial lawyers present information in the courtroom. Corporate attorneys must be at ease in the boardroom. Regardless of your position, you'll be required to head committees and lead meetings.
Constant Writing
Words are a lawyer’s tool of the trade. Attorneys are expected to be good writers as well as excellent speakers. Trial attorneys will need to master oral and written persuasion as they argue motions, try cases, take depositions, and draft various legal pleadings. Corporate lawyers must master the art of negotiation and be proficient at drafting documents. From drafting emails to writing briefs, writing is an inescapable part of life as an attorney.
Logical Reasoning and Analysis
Logical reasoning and critical thinking skills are essential to the practice of law. Analytical skills are necessary for all practice areas, whether you're structuring a multi-million-dollar deal or developing a trial strategy. You might enjoy being an attorney if you like logic puzzles, research, and critical thinking.
If logical reasoning doesn't come naturally, you can still develop those skills over time. You might take classes in logic or pick up logic puzzles to hone your skills.
Long Work Hours
This isn't a requirement for all lawyers, but some value-conscious clients might expect you to be accessible around the clock. Most lawyers work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. Lawyers who work in public interest venues and academia might have more forgiving schedules, but they often trade high salaries for a better work-life balance.
Client Development
Most law firm attorneys are responsible for client development. Compensation, bonuses, draws, and partnership opportunities are frequently based on an attorney’s ability to bring in business for the firm, at least in part.
If you choose to work for a law firm, you must excel at marketing yourself and your organization to prospective clients. You'll face similar challenges if you go into private practice. Other types of law may not require as much marketing, but you'll still need to put your best foot forward with clients and supervisors.
Professional Dress
Most lawyers spend their workdays in suits and business attire. Casual dress is not the norm. This helps attorneys command respect, inspire trust, and convey a polished image. If the thought of spending all day in dress shoes makes you want to scream, avoid working as a trial lawyer. Other lawyers may have more latitude depending on where they're employed.
5. What are the various career scopes after being a lawyer?
Lawyer Career Path Ladder
The majority of lawyers work in law firms, which means private practice. In law firms both small and large, there is usually a standard progression of job titles you’ll take as you work your way up in a firm.
After being a lawyer, you’ll usually start out at a law firm as an associate. After around six to nine years at the firm, you’ll have a shot at becoming a partner and eventually a managing partner. Some lawyers also choose to start their own firm after gaining experience within the field.
Outside of law firms, there are a variety of places where lawyers work. Many corporations retain their own legal departments, which means you would be a full-time employee of that corporation, rather than a law firm.
Another large area of legal practice is public interest lawyers, who work for private or nonprofit organizations and provide legal services to disadvantaged populations, dealing with areas such as immigration and labor disputes.
There are also many spaces for lawyers in government positions, which range from prosecutors, who file lawsuits and charge parties on behalf of the government, to public defense attorneys, who represent parties who cannot afford their own attorney.
In addition, government counsels work as lawyers in the executive and legislative branches of government, writing and interpreting laws, writing legal reviews, and arguing civil and criminal cases for the government.
6. What does success look like to you in this job?
For me, the success was finding my passion as a lawyer – I'm on the right path. A sense of accomplishment (winning, closing a deal, helping others), intellectual stimulation, and professional recognition.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
The Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas McBride
This is a collection of letters to a fictional student about what it’s like to study law, and it also gives some basic explanations of the legal system. The main focus is on telling you how to study effectively and the advice it gives is pretty good. McBride gives all kinds of sensible and useful advice, from general topics like how much work you should be doing, to more specific things like how to make notes on a case.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A fiction book is about racism and society in 1930s America. The specific relevance to Law Student is that its main character, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer tasked with defending a man shunned by everyone else. The book is a great source of inspiration for those wondering why the law is important, and why rights must be protected. Legal heroes remind us why we’re studying law.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
You may think of this book as a self-improvement book, but at the heart of every successful entrepreneur is self-discipline and good habits. To gain the habits of highly effective people.
Interviewed By: Vanshaj Chawla
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