Being a lawyer means making reading a habit

So you still think that being a lawyer is all about standing in court to argue out cases? Education Times’ Collins Mwai talked to Richard Balenzi, a principal associate at Trust Law Chambers, to find out more about the career. So what exactly do you do as a lawyer?As a commercial lawyer, my duties involve drafting commercial contacts, reviewing them, negotiating them on behalf of a client and advising clients on how to go about the contracts. I also participate in solving commercial disputes on behalf of clients, before and after the dispute as well as representing my client in arbitrations. A commercial lawyer also advises clients who want to start companies in the country, list in the stock exchange and during mergers and acquisitions. Very few of these duties involve going to court. What training does one require to make it to this kind of career?I studied law at Nottingham University in the UK. While at it, I had a chance to go to France and study French Law during an exchange programme. After that I went to Law Development Centre (LDC) in Uganda for a year. I also have masters from Glasgow University. Starting this year, graduates don’t have to go to LDC in Uganda as a school of law has been set up in Nyanza; the Institute of Legal Practice and Development. In high school, I majored in History, Economics, Literature and French. A combination of Humanities and Languages would be good for anyone planning to pursue law; it sharpens you language skills and you acquire better arguments.Any other qualifications that come in handy?As a lawyer you need to have an enquiring mind. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to think on your feet will take you place because at times a client will expects immediate response or solution. Lawyers also need to be good readers; frequent and fast. One should be able to go through a brief and understand it fast to be able to give the client a response fast.What are the emerging trends in this line of work?Lately, the trend is moving from one-man law firms—where one lawyer did everything—to law firms where there are several partners. There has also been specialisation as opposed to days when most lawyers were general practitioners. For instance, one can choose to specialise in either Criminal Law or Commercial law. What are the best moments in this occupation?The job makes me versatile; the matters I deal with are varied, one day I am representing a company that is seeking to be listed in the stock exchange, the next day I may be working with a foreign company that wants to set up a plant in the country. The assignments I have are varied, giving me a chance to play part in different fields.Any challenges that come with this occupation?Anyone with ambitions of being a lawyer should be ready to work under pressure while observing strict deadlines. The job requires long working hours at times to beat deadlines which could be a challenge to some people. One is also required to read a lot and in-depth.What is the chain of command at work?At our law firm we have senior partners, associates (principal and junior) and then interns.How would one advance to higher levels in then? It requires both experience and training. While experience makes you a seasoned lawyer, further studies increase your scope of knowledge.How many hours per day do lawyers work?The official working hours are 8am to 5pm but at times you have to work longer to beat deadlines.What would make one a failure in this job? Forgetfulness will make one a sloppy lawyer. You get a lot of information from clients and people you work with and it is expected that you will remember it all. Poor time management does not go well with the profession; you need to be able to beat deadlines and not always rushing at the last minute.Not being thorough is also a recipe to failure. The tiny details you miss out could be the most important ones.A word to those interested in the profession?For anyone who wants to be a lawyer, I advise them to get into the habit of reading, read frequently and enjoy doing it. It will prepare you and increase you knowledge scope.Take time and have a talk with a friend or a relative who is a lawyer to understand what you want to get yourself into. Stay updated on relevant current issues, stay curious knowledge always comes in handy.