Embrace uniqueness, or fit the mould? Lawyer offers advice to graduates
This article was provided by James & Wells
In a recent interview with NZ Lawyer, my learned friend Thomas Huthwaite, who I respect enormously, was quoted as advising to young lawyers:
“…embrace who you are. There seems to be a sense among young lawyers that you must ‘fit a certain mould’ to practice law. (I probably used to think that too!) But your personality, your background, your hobbies and interests, and your unique view and approach to any given issue, are all potential assets to your practice of the law and your place in the profession. While there are of course specific skills, responsibilities, etc. to be learned, I encourage you to maintain your sense of identity in becoming the practitioner you want to be.”
In an ideal world, I couldn’t agree more. But the reality is we don’t live in an ideal world, and it is my observation, derived from my years of practice and talking to young lawyers, that generally speaking young lawyers – and new, older lawyers (let’s not forget about them, because there are many) – are not typically free to maintain their sense of identity in becoming the practitioner they want to be, at least in their early years.
Why is this so? I suggest two reasons, principally: first, because new lawyers (regardless of age) need to get a job, and to get a job they typically need to ‘fit a certain mould’, as Thomas puts it, otherwise they’re seen as too risky and don’t get a look-in; second, because the legal profession is steeped in history, tradition and expectation, and while there are many ‘progressive’ firms, there are also many not quite so progressive firms – it’s not the music business or advertising industry, after all.
I was very lucky. As a 40 year-old ‘mature’ law graduate, I joined a firm which embraced both my unique background in marketing and design, and my personality, and saw both as assets. 15 years later, I am proudly a partner at the same firm, having been supported by the firm in many ways over the years to become one.
That doesn’t mean to say, however, that my journey has been smooth sailing all the way, because it certainly hasn’t. When I reflect on why it has been occasionally rough, if not due to my own fallibility, I can genuinely say it has been due to me endeavouring to maintain my sense of identity – i.e. doing exactly what my learned friend is encouraging young lawyers to do.
The legal profession demands a certain amount of conformity – it has to, of course, in order to function as a profession. So let us not instil unrealistic expectations in new lawyers. To them, I say this: embrace who you are, for sure, but just remember to conform to the extent expected by your employer and the profession, and you should get along just fine.
© Ben Cain, 15 January 2025