Become the Lawyer You Want To Be - Leading Women Lawyers

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Law on Your Terms -
Become the Lawyer You Want To Be

So are you still in love with the law? Or have you fallen out of love?

People become lawyers for all sorts of reasons – some drift into the profession. Others have a strong sense of purpose and direction and have their eyes firmly fixed on where they want to be in 10 years time.

Whatever the reasons for joining the profession, what is clear is that many lawyers are discontented. What has become crystal clear over recent months to many lawyers is that the loyalty and dedication they have shown towards their firms counts for nothing when hard times strike. The “redundancy survivors” are likely to adopt a different approach to their work in coming months. Partnership, the once holly grail is now regarded with cynicism by the Y generation.

In the macho environment of the law, to express any vulnerability, lack of confidence or self-doubt has traditionally been regarded as weakness. Many women lawyers who were regarded as 100% capable, reliable suddenly find that their commitment is challenged through no fault of their own when they start a family.

What would it take for you to become the lawyer you truly want to be?

Refocus on what is really important to you. Build your resilience and re-energise.

Action Steps

Make a list of everything that is important to you about your career. What have you achieved over the last 5 years? What are your strengths and weaknesses? How can you turn you weaknesses into strengths?
What would being a lawyer on your terms look like? How would your life be different? Spend 10 minutes thinking and writing down your goals - short, medium and long term
List all the things that are likely to block your progress
Separate the blocks into those that you can influence and those that you cannot
Decide to let go of everything out of your control
Concentrate and only use your energy on those things that you can influence
Commit to taking one small step every day towards your goals
Remember to be successful you need both technical and “soft skill” expertise
Review your progress regularly
Enlist the help of a mentor (inside or outside your organisation). Use them as a sounding board and cheerleader to spur you on or give you that extra boost when your confidence dips

Until next time and best wishes

Jane Wintringham

Leading Women Lawyers, Develop4choice, 20 Thornfield Road, West Park, Leeds LS16 5AR, United Kingdom
Tel 0113 305 3604 | Email: info@leadingwomenlawyers.co.uk