First 3 years as a Lawyer – Aqeel Ahmad Yousafzai

The practice of law is an incomparable and never-ending journey of hustling, learning, and fulfilment. It keeps you on your toes at all times (quite literally most of the time) and demands your utmost commitment and undivided focus. You might think passing law school is a massive accomplishment, and while you have every reason to celebrate that – you must remember, it is only the first step towards becoming a lawyer. The second obvious step is getting registered with the provincial bar. Once you have passed the bar exams, and you have received your licence to practice law, you’ve earned yourself the title of an ‘Advocate’.

I was in Lahore, working with a human rights law firm when I got myself that title. I still remember walking into District Courts and being completely unable to locate the Court I was supposed to appear before. And when I found it, I was overwhelmed by the proceedings happening before the Court. Hands down, I had never felt so ignorant and unprepared as I did that day. And that feeling continued for that whole year, and the year that followed and the one after that. Truth be told, the feeling still lurks somewhere in there, and keeps coming back every now and then. Someone mentions a legal issue that you have not dealt with before, and it crawls back up. But as time flows, you learn to handle it. Another challenge that you encounter during the first few years is keeping your financial boat afloat. The way the legal industry in Pakistan operates, a massive majority of the chambers/firms you’ll be associated with won’t be willing to pay you a penny. So, you’re pretty much on your own. I was fortunate to work with a firm that paid me just enough to cover my rent and food. And I went to work in that arrangement for a little less than two years.

So, the first two years are the hardest. But then things start looking up. You begin to feel more confident in your abilities as a lawyer. Your networks begin bearing fruits and you start getting referrals. You land advisory and consulting roles. You are not as loaded as you would like to be, but hey, you’re making it work. You’re not the wisest and most knowledgeable lawyer you thought you’d be at this point, but you know how to deal with complex legal situations and you can take it. Now, you can focus on choosing your niche and the journey that follows is only onwards and upwards.

On my journey of legal practice, I have found certain things to be of immense help. See some of the best advice I have received and things that I have learnt along the way.

1. Be patient: As obvious as it sounds, you cannot keep it together for the first couple of years without being patient. It all comes together in time. Be willing to play the long game. A day spent in courts, reading law, conducting research or drafting petitions is never a day wasted.

2. Walk around the court’s premises as much as you can: A bit of unconventional wisdom but I keep telling my students; knowing the location of each court and understanding what kind of cases are adjudicated before a certain court is a good 40 percent of being a lawyer.

3. Be absolutely shameless in seeking help: Ask strangers in the court’s premises for directions, ask your seniors for advice, and ask your peers for help. You’ll be surprised how helpful the legal fraternity can be.

4. Read: Again a no-brainer but as a lawyer, you’re expected to know a little about everything. Read the law. Read the newspaper. Read poetry and literature. Read anything and everything that you can get your hands on.

5. Be a problem solver: Find solutions to people’s legal issues. Be willing to do whatever it takes, remaining in the confines of law and ethics, to protect the interest of your clients.

6. Treat your legal credentials and talents as an opportunity to help others: Speak up for the marginalized ones. Help those who can’t stand up for themselves. Represent the vulnerable ones. And if you’re a heavy hitter, stand against oppression and injustice in whatever form you come across.

You do some of these things, and I guarantee you, you’ll do great. Nothing comes even remotely close to the thrill, excitement, enlightenment, and fulfilment of being a lawyer. No force on this earth can stop you from getting rich with money, friends, and community. The question is, are you willing to put in the work?