Are lawyers becoming more unconventional?
Do you think that, as a lawyer, you are already qualified? Is there a standard for this qualification? For a truly qualified lawyer, there must be a standard that is measurable. This article, from Lawyer Meng Denggao's blog, expresses the thoughts of a meticulous and excellent lawyer, but the editor feels there is no standardization. If you want to obtain the standard for a truly qualified lawyer, come to LTT!
Because there are too many things to handle and I'm too busy, and also because I hope to go further in the legal profession, I felt I should set aside some time to strengthen my learning in order to develop towards higher-quality clients and more high-end business. So I decided to hire another salaried lawyer with some practical experience to help me manage daily affairs.
But once again, I found it very difficult to hire an assistant.
Because the job posting clearly required the candidate to have more than two years of practical experience, the resumes received and the interviewees were all people who had worked for several years and had some practical experience.
First, the external image. At least one-third of the people were excluded for this reason. These people didn't look like lawyers; their attire was no different from most people in society. What I can accept is lawyers wearing formal attire, at least very neat and decent. A female lawyer's hair shouldn't be like a movie star's; I believe clients are generally unwilling to entrust business to such a lawyer, and lawyers are also reluctant to take such an assistant to meet clients. If requiring a shirt change every day is a bit harsh, at least the collar and cuffs shouldn't be dirty. A male lawyer should shave every day; a lawyer is not an artist or a laborer.
Second, the details. Details determine success or failure. Many times, a small detail can influence the outcome of a case. But I found that most lawyers don't pay attention to details. I called a female lawyer who had applied, based on her resume, and before I could say anything, I heard her shouting fiercely and impatiently on the phone: "Who are you? What do you want?" I naturally thought of the consequences if my assistant answered a call from a client's general manager in such a tone. So I gently hung up. I scheduled an interview with a lawyer for 2:30 on the weekend, but I arrived at the office at 1:30. I sent him a text message saying I had arrived, not to rush him, but just to say he could come a bit earlier. His reply was "2:30," nothing more! So I started working on my tasks, and he finally arrived at 3:00 without even sending a text message beforehand.
Finally, there is professional competence. Many lawyers claim to be well-versed in labor disputes, but when asked about key provisions in the "Implementation Regulations" and the "Arbitration and Mediation Law," they have no idea what they are talking about, or even that such laws exist—yet they have indeed handled several labor dispute cases. Many lawyers claim to have started drafting and revising large numbers of contracts and legal documents during their internships, but when asked about the basic approach to contract revision and common issues to note, they are completely off the mark. Many lawyers claim to have handled numerous personal injury compensation cases, but when asked whether Beijing currently allows dual compensation for work-related injuries and traffic accidents, the answer is "controversial." When asked whether a migrant worker hired by a contractor on a construction site who falls and gets injured is covered by work-related injury or ordinary personal injury, the answer is "no labor contract means an employment relationship." These are routine matters, and I believe they are the basic skills of a young lawyer.
During my internship, I was fortunate to follow two mentors, both leading figures in the Beijing legal community. One of them still works in the same firm as I do, in the office next to mine. Perhaps because I received strict guidance from them back then, coupled with long-term exposure, I was greatly influenced by them in both conduct and work. It may also be due to my years of independent practice, relying on my own efforts to develop my business and build a client base, that I have never dared to slack off in any matter, big or small.
The process of a lawyer expanding their team is the process of breaking through business bottlenecks.
The lawyer I mentioned earlier who now works next door to me, my former mentor, has more work than he can handle and almost no days off. He has tried hiring more salaried lawyers to share the workload, but the results have not been good, and he remains the same as before, handling most matters personally every day, exhausted to death. I feel I am becoming more and more like him, which I do not want. Yet, in this feeling, I have gradually built up my business and slowly given all my time to work.
I also know that I am too perfectionistic in my work, but I think it is quite frightening for a lawyer not to strive for perfection. Reluctantly, I have slowly turned myself into a "workaholic," unable to extricate myself. On one hand, I want to push my business forward, treating my legal work as a career. On the other hand, I greatly enjoy the joy that comes from the results of my hard work, as well as the respect and praise from my clients.
I feel that I am too demanding of both myself and others, and I am becoming increasingly tired, with a growing sense of loneliness. Sometimes I ask myself in my heart, am I really a bit of an outlier?
