Unit 32 Career in the Law

Text A

A Lawyers

Several different words can be used to refer to a lawyer. Three law students in the UK are talking about the kind of work they would like to do when they have completed their law studies. Write the correct word for lawyer in the gaps: attorney, solicitor, in- house counsel, barrister.

Anna: So, what are you two planning to do later, when you’ve completed your degree?

Daniel: Well, right now, I’m planning to become a 1) _______, because I’d really like to plead cases in court.

Anna: You’ve been watching too many of those American films, when the handsome young 2) _______ wins the case against the big, bad corporation!

Daniel: Very funny. I just like the idea of arguing a case. I think it would be exciting. What about you?

Anna: Actually, I’d like to work for a big corporation and advise them on their legal affairs, as 3) _______. I’ve heard the work can be very challenging. What are your plans, Jacob?

Jacob: I’m thinking about becoming a 4) _______. I‘m not that interested in pleading cases in court. I’d rather do research and legal advice – I think that would suit me better.

B Discuss these questions.

1 Does your native language have more than one word for lawyer? Do they correspond to the different English words for lawyer mentioned above? If not, how do the concepts differ?

2 What is each type of legal practitioner in your jurisdiction entitled to do?

3 What English term do you use to describe your job or the job you would like

to do?

C a Combine the nouns in the box with the verbs below to make combinations to describe the work lawyers do. Some of the verbs go with more than one noun.

b Choose three pairs of words and write sentences using them.

cases clients contracts corporations decisions defendants disputes law legislation

1 advise

2 draft

3 litigate

4 practise

5 represent

6 research

D Choose the words from the box which can be combined with the word lawyer to describe different types of lawyer. Say what each one does.

bar corporate defence government patent practitioner public-sector sole tax trial

A lawyer’s curriculum vitae

E Read the following CV (curriculum vitae) of a young British lawyer and answer these questions.

1 Where did he work in summer 2002?

2 What languages does he speak?

3 Where did he complete his first degree?

4 What was his main duty at the European Commission?

5 What is he doing now?

Linus Walker
Address: Frejg 17, SE-118 25, Stockholm, Sweden Nationality: British Email address: linuswalker@eli.se Date of birth: 12 May 1982 EDUCATION
2005- present 2000- 2004 2002- 2003	University of Stockholm, Sweden Master’s Programme in Law and Information Technology Course covers the legal aspects of Information Technology and the legal implications of the use of the Internet University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom LLB (English & French law degree) Course included all the core legal subjects, with a focus on contract law, company law, common law, property law and European law Université, Paris X, Paris, France DEUG (French law degree), Nanterre Part of the degree programme at University of Essex included an intensive course in French. Among subjects studied: European Community Law, Information Law, Civil Law and Penal Law
LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE
June 2004- February 2005 Summers 2001- 2004 Summer 2000	European Commission, Brussels, Belgium Legal Assistant within the Legal Departament of the Service Commune Relex (SCR). Drafting options in English and French dealing with contracts awarded for projects. G. R. Foster & Co. Solicitors, Cambridge, UK Liaison with clients; conducting research into multiple areas, including family law, tort law and contracts; assisting with trial preparation. Westlake Chambers, Bath, UK Mini-pupillage, involving shadowing a number of counsel; assisted in daily activities.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICAIONS
Languages: Computing: Membership:	Native English speaker; fluent in French (written and spoken); upper-intermediate Swedish Proficient in Word, Windows, Lotus Notes, email The Law Society
Strong researching and writing skills INTERESTS
Skiing, French history, chess References available upon request

Text B

Main Stages of a Solicitor’s and Barrister’s Career

The typical stages of a solicitor’s career are as follows: being a trainee solicitor; becoming a practising solicitor at a partnership or a solicitors’ firm; and finally, the ultimate ambition of any solicitor is reaching the position of senior partner in a law firm.

The main career stages of a barrister are as follows: a junior tenant, a full-time practising barrister and an experienced barrister with his own practice. Experienced barristers who have built up a thriving practice at the Bar may apply to become a Queen’s Counsel (the highest position a barrister can have). Barristers are appointed to this rank by the Sovereign on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. A QC wears a silk gown, that is why becoming a QC is referred to as ‘taking silk’. A QC is not allowed to appear in Court without having a junior with him, therefore it is more expensive to have a QC in one’s case.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1962

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