Of all the possible fields in the legal world you can get into, family law has to be one of the most complicated and emotionally draining.
It’s this area where your emotional fortitude is tested as you deal with custody battles and divorce proceedings affecting not just partners but also children.
While they’re sometimes unappreciated and often misunderstood, family lawyers play a crucial role in protecting all parties from the fallout.
In countries like Australia and the United States where divorce is more common than elsewhere, specializing in family law opens up ample career-advancing opportunities.
As you enter law school and decide which area to specialize in, here’s a guide to help you get started in a fruitful career in family law:
1. Understand the Role
Many would think that family attorneys only handle divorce cases.
That is partly true, but divorce cases constitute a part of a lawyer’s entire repertoire of functions.
Beyond this stereotype, lawyers in the field also have their fair share of handling alimony cases, prenuptial agreements, and juvenile offenders.
In most cases, an expert in family law can also be called on to handle cases of domestic abuse.
To a lesser degree, they can also facilitate a person’s request to have their name changed in official records.
By getting a good idea of what the specialty entails beyond divorce cases, you can identify which skills are necessary that will get you far ahead in the field.
2. Obtain the Right Skills
Like any other area, family law requires a set of skills that augment other abilities necessary in litigation.
Apart from having good communication skills and expert knowledge of legal procedures, a good family lawyer should also develop excellent research and negotiation skills.
Much of what you will be doing is to represent clients at the negotiating table where emotions are likely to run high.
You must have the ability to make advantageous settlement offers backed up by sound evidence.
It also pays to develop a strong sense of empathy toward your client and the other side.
Since divorce proceedings could have a profound psychological effect on children, you will need to make the process less stressful and ensure that everyone involved walks home in the most civil manner.
You can only develop this ability on the job but learning about it this early should put you on the right track.
3. Get the Right Training
You can only choose to work in family law once you have obtained the necessary licenses and documents required by the local or (in some cases) national bar association.
However, if you’re sure that family law is your preferred field, it matters to undertake your pre-law training through a proper degree program.
This determines your potential for success in this field.
The best trajectories to take that will lead to a fruitful career in family law are social work and psychology.
Training in social work equips you with principles and strategies for handling sensitive cases involving children.
On the other hand, a background in psychology is an advantage when you’re handling divorce cases.
4. Find Work at a Good Firm
Once you have passed the bar exam, you have the choice of starting your firm or applying as an associate at a firm that specializes in family law.
In Australia, for instance, you can look for a firm where successful family lawyers in Brisbane and Adelaide got started.
Look at the firm’s credentials and track record in handling relevant cases, from minor disputes to high-profile legal battles.
Additionally, be teachable and allow yourself to be mentored by senior partners.
If you haven’t passed the bar yet, you can always gain relevant experience as a paralegal at a family law firm.
Your exposure to administrative work and frontline functions should help enhance your knowledge and skills in the field.
It also matters a lot if you can participate in seminars and training sponsored by the firm.
That way, you will be able to adequately prepare for possible real-world scenarios even before becoming a member of the bar.
Endnote
Family law isn’t for the typical law school graduate.
It’s time-consuming and emotionally draining, so it requires a great deal of preparation.
If you’re able to pull it off with the tips above, it might be the springboard to a stellar legal career.
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