Creative and logical careers

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a four-part series of columns by career coach and consultant Michael Melcher. Send questions or suggestions for future articles by clicking here and putting “Careers Inbox” in the subject line. Or simply discuss the topic in the comments below.The legal field doesn’t constrain people’s potential. But it tends to constrain their way of thinking about potential. Lawyers sometimes don’t see the possibilities before them and they therefore don’t act in ways that take advantage of those possibilities. At the extreme, lawyers become the keeper of their own cells, walled off from new ideas and energies. The reason? It has a lot to do with issue-spotting.When we spot issues—when we “think like a lawyer”—we take things apart, compare possibilities against evidence, anticipate cracks in arguments and contemplate risks. Lawyers who work for the ExxonMobil do this, and so do lawyers with the … [Read more...] about Why Thinking Like a Lawyer Is Bad for Your Career

From a sociological perspective, law firms are very different from many other businesses. On the one hand, law firms have the clear distinction between fee earners and staff (the non-fee earners). Although both categories are part of the same organization, they form two distinct separate classes: an upper class (fee earners) and a middle class (staff). These two classes do not mix well. Even a nonlawyer CEO or COO will be seen in the end as part of the middle class. Typically, when a corporate event such as a skiing trip is organized, it is only for the fee earners (upper class). For staff there are often no such perks. The other relevant distinction is between equity partners and the rest. This type of social class system found in law firms is rather unique and is rarely found in such a distinctive way in other businesses. In most “normal” types of business, all employees would be seen as more or less equally important, and even though there might be the distinction … [Read more...] about Equity partners should not be superheroes

From a sociological perspective, law firms are very different from many other businesses. On the one hand, law firms have the clear distinction between fee earners and staff (the non-fee earners). Although both categories are part of the same organization, they form two distinct separate classes: an upper class (fee earners) and a middle class (staff). These two classes do not mix well. Even a nonlawyer CEO or COO will be seen in the end as part of the middle class. Typically, when a corporate event such as a skiing trip is organized, it is only for the fee earners (upper class). For staff there are often no such perks. The other relevant distinction is between equity partners and the rest. This type of social class system found in law firms is rather unique and is rarely found in such a distinctive way in other businesses. In most “normal” types of business, all employees would be seen as more or less equally important, and even though there might be the distinction … [Read more...] about The 6 most important qualities for an equity partner

Justice V R Krishna Iyer (1915-2014) had it all that takes to be the cream of the crop among his contemporaries in terms of judgeship, statesmanship, leadership and much more that shaped him up as a dynamic legal practitioner, prominent legislator, minister for key portfolios in Kerala, member of Indian Law Commission, Judge of High Court and later of Supreme Court. He who began his legal practice as an advocate in 1937 at Taluk level subordinate court in Telliserry, Kerala beseeched, defended and argued in the trial and appellate courts and engaged in debates in the matter of legislation processes at Madras Presidency and Kerala Legislative Assembly. Having acquired training in the art of drafting recommendations and reports while serving as a member of Law Commission (1971-1973), he also had the privilege to witness the pre and post constitutional courts, adjudicatory process and legal developments. He stands distinguished among his contemporaries for his versatile knowledge coupled … [Read more...] about The Life And Times Of Justice V R Krishna Iyer

This piece is the fourth piece in the series of articles on clinical legal education in India. To that extent, this piece should be read in continuation of the former pieces which can be found here : Part I, Part II and Part III. This piece shows that it is important to draw upon the lessons of both the Indian experience with clinical legal education and the Harvard Law School (HLS) experience, to come up with a blueprint to reform clinical legal education system in India. First up – there are several challenges that create an obstacle in having a robust model of clinical legal education in India. Some of these challenges have been highlighted in the earlier pieces. Lack of funding, lack of trained clinical instructors, no academic credits for clinical work, lack of practice component to clinical education are some of the major challenges. Besides there are different stakeholders involved in the process. To bring everyone on the same page, to agree on a set of minimum reforms and … [Read more...] about Clinical Legal Education – [Part IV] Building A Roadmap For Clinical Legal Education In India