Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has shared eight pointers to consider when choosing Law as a career.
Mahere said a bunch of brilliant A-level graduates have been in touch seeking pointers about studying law and becoming lawyers.
Below are a few pointers she shared:
1. Spend at least 2 weeks at a good law firm doing a work placement/internship before you commit. If you have “Suits” in mind, you may be in for a shock.
2. Speak to lawyers so you get a detailed sense of what you’re getting yourself into.
3. Make sure you love reading, further reading and more reading after that. Ideally, you must have strong oratory, writing and people skills too.
4. Pick the right law school. If you’re going to train in Zimbabwe, your biggest considerations include the quality of the law library, the teaching faculty and whether there are law firms and a High Court (at least) in the vicinity.
5. Think about where you want to live and work after law school. If you want to work outside Zimbabwe, check the legal and immigration requirements for law practice. Some countries require you to be a permanent resident before you can register and be licensed to practice law.
6. If you plan to train abroad but come back to Zimbabwe, ensure the country you’re getting your law degree from is recognized by the Council for Legal Education so that you can convert your degree within a reasonable time to enable you to practice.
7. Forget about specializing for now. You don’t yet know what’s out there and what your true legal interests will be.
8. Have a very open mind. You may be on the cusp of something big and beautiful. Studying law can open many doors when it’s the right fit for you.
Good luck!
