captures ones ’ heart can take years . I for instance , during my years in university was convinced that I have a niche for Criminal Law . It was the most intriguing course in my opinion and because of that I was confident that was what I would pursue after graduating . Fast forward ten years later , civil , employment and commercial litigation is what gets my blood running . It was not until I took an active part in cases that I was able to identify what truly interests me and what I see myself doing in the long run .
As young professionals , it is important to go beyond what is fun and enjoyable in class to identify what area of Law you wish to focus on . Get into the field , do the actual work , be part of a team , take the time to explore various fields of law . Attend seminars , workshops , and networking events to gain exposure to different practice areas .
Be so passionate about an assignment that you are unable to sleep at night , then and only then will you be able to truly identify what gets you hooked , and once you are able to do this , you will have achieved one pivotal thing , your aspiration . The next step is doing anything and everything you can do to excel and stand out .
Put yourself out there - speak up , share your thoughts and accept criticism
Developing the ability to articulate ideas and contribute meaningfully is essential for Lawyers . Whether in client meetings , conferences , or training sessions , sharing insights fosters learning and recognition . Prior research and consideration of superior opinions are essential , before public speaking , embrace corrections , welcome criticism , and view these as opportunities for growth .
Identify a mentor , a person you can learn from and receive guidance from
Having a professional mentor is invaluable for Lawyers . A mentor , ideally also a seasoned Lawyer , serves as a guide , offering advice and direction . However , do not limit mentorship to the legal sphere alone ; our careers can stand some guidance from all sorts of professionals , it is important to have someone who pushes you to live up to your potential , to go that extra mile and to take that extra step .
Set goals and make lists - monthly , weekly , daily , hourly
The legal profession naturally involves juggling multiple tasks . It is unfortunately
As young professionals , it is important to go beyond what is fun and enjoyable in class to identify what area of Law you wish to focus on . Get into the field , do the actual work , be part of a team , take the time to explore various fields of law . Attend seminars , workshops , and networking events to gain exposure to different practice areas .
very easy for certain things to slip through cracks and go unnoticed . Over the years I have found that making lists constantly helps me to ensure that whatever is needed to be done on a particular day actually gets done . It helps to make a comprehensive list of what needs to be done in a particular Week , and to further break the list down to what needs to be done in a day , in hours etc .
Consider rewarding oneself upon list completion . Lists generally helps with avoiding procrastination as well as avoiding wasting time unintentionally in tasks that are not of an urgent nature .
Accept that making mistakes is part of the learning process
I have found that many Lawyers tend to be perfectionists , finding it challenging to cope with errors . For those of us with this trait , nothing is harder to accept and to deal with than making a mistake . Twelve years ago , I worked as an Assistant to a very renown Lawyer in Tanzania .
My job was to ensure that the case files that this prominent Lawyer handles are ready for Court , this included doing research , printing out cases , drafting and filing of documents , etc .
In one instance , being the very Junior Legal Officer that I was , I missed a very important filing deadline for a Case that was at the Court of Appeal of Tanzania . I simply was not aware of the said deadline - as this was my first time to deal with procedural rules at the Court of Appeal of Tanzania . My supervisor gave me a lecture on procedures under the Court of Appeal Rules of Tanzania , and we brain stormed on how we could salvage the situation .
I felt as though my entire career was over
because of that mistake . I was lucky to have the supervisor that I had , as he took time to talk to me about how important it was to take this as a learning opportunity , and proceeded to tell me numerous stories of mistakes that he made as a young Lawyer . To-date , his words have stuck with me .
It is a natural aspect of our humanity to experience disappointment and even feelings of hurt when we perceive that we have not achieved the pinnacle of success . However , errors are inevitable , even among the most prominent figures in our profession . I am confident that seasoned lawyers have their own share of experiences and lessons learned from their earlier years .
The list shared in this piece is certainly not exhaustive . I encourage you to contribute to it with anything that aids in becoming the optimal version of yourself . Crafting a successful career demands dedication and perseverance , with numerous obstacles to navigate . It is not uncommon to have moments of self-doubt about professional excellence . Yet , this is a natural part of the journey , indicative of your commitment . It signifies the initial stride towards wholeheartedly dedicating yourself to the profession .
Ernestilla Bahati is the Senior Litigation Partner at AVC and Partners Advocates . She has effectively advocated for both corporate entities and individual clients in a myriad of cases , encompassing Civil , Employment , and Commercial Litigation . You can commune with her via email at : Ernestilla @ avcpartners . co . tz .