Lawyers? We imagine them mostly in front of judges, busy defending their clients. But they can also play several other roles: most of them spend a lot of time negotiating or writing.
Description
Smooth talkers in robes who spend their time arguing in front of the judge? Not really! Lawyers have very diverse roles. Most of them spend much more time writing and negotiating than pleading.
The lawyer represents his clients. He helps them resolve their problems in court: in the event of divorce, wrongful dismissal or criminal charges, for example.
The lawyer is also an advisor. He helps his clients understand their rights and finds answers to their legal questions. For example, an employer may consult him to ask for an opinion on the validity of its human resources management policy.
Some lawyers also act as mediators, for example, when it comes to determining child custody following a divorce. They do not take sides with one parent or the other, but rather bring them to an agreement.
Finally, the lawyer is an officer of justice. Which means that he must serve justice and conduct himself with honor, dignity and integrity.
A lawyer is expected to have the following qualities, depending on his or her specialization:
prudence and rigor, for a lawyer who works as an advisor in a company;
ability to convince and react to the unexpected, for a lawyer responsible for defending his client before a judge;
ability to understand the point of view of others, for a lawyer responsible for finding common ground in a negotiation.
The work
The main tasks of the lawyer
Lawyers can work in very different fields (criminal law, intellectual property, employment law, etc.), but their tasks are generally similar:
listening: the lawyer must inspire confidence in his clients, understand them and ask them the right questions, even in difficult circumstances;
advisor: he knows the laws and must help his clients understand and respect them;
negotiate: he spends a lot of time trying to resolve conflicts;
analyze: he understands and uses documents and laws. He must know how to adapt them to various situations;
represent: he represents his clients in court;
writing: he drafts many legal documents, which will, for example, be presented to the court or given to his clients.
The working conditions and environment of the lawyer
Some work for themselves.
For example, some spend hours locked in their office analyzing lengthy contracts or doing research. Others spend most of their time meeting with clients and representing them in court.
The training
After the baccalaureate, the candidate must pass the exams of the École du Barreau du Québec , which assesses the knowledge of all future lawyers who will practice in Quebec.
If the candidate passes the exam, he or she then moves on to the second stage of professional training: “experiential learning”. This stage consists of participating in a legal clinic and technical clinics to become familiar with the legal profession in a practical way.
Finally, he will complete a six-month professional internship before being sworn in. This swearing-in gives the lawyer the right to represent clients and give legal advice.
Lawyers must continue to train throughout their careers, by following a continuing education program.
The salary
In a large company or firm, some lawyers make a lot of money. Other lawyers work for themselves and receive a much lower salary. Many lawyers work very long hours!
Some lawyers charge an hourly rate. This rate can vary greatly. Some lawyers charge less than $50 per hour while others charge over $500 for the same hour! In general, a lawyer does not charge clients for every hour they work!
More info
The Quebec Bar
The job market information site of Emploi Québec
Integrate legal education into your activities
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The information that Éducaloi provides you with generally explains the law in effect in Quebec.
It is not a legal opinion or advice.
To find out the rules specific to your situation, consult a lawyer or notary .