You may have heard the term litigation mentioned before but might not be familiar with exactly what it means. Simply put, litigation is the act, process or practice of taking legal action in order to resolve a dispute. Litigation lawyers are legal professionals who represent and protect their clients’ interests when a dispute is raised, whether it’s a commercial, civil or criminal matter.
Tasks of a litigation lawyer are varied and will change based on the nature of the dispute itself as well as if the lawyer is representing the party responsible for initiating the dispute (plaintiff) or the party responding to a dispute (defendant). This article will take a look at the role of a litigation lawyer, the advantages of working in litigation and when one should think about hiring a litigation lawyer.
What Does a Litigation Lawyer Do?
A litigation lawyer’s main duty is to advocate on behalf of their client whilst maintaining the integrity of their client’s information without misleading the court. Contrary to what television legal drama programs would have you believe, litigation lawyers do not spend the majority of their time dramatically fighting for their client’s rights in a courtroom full of people. In fact, the aim of any good litigation lawyer is to resolve a dispute before the matter proceeds to a court in front of a judge. Therefore a majority of litigation matters are dealt with via meetings and correspondence.
How Long Do Litigation Lawyers Study For?
A litigation lawyer is simply a lawyer who practices in the area of litigation, therefore the requirements and qualifications to practice as a litigation lawyer are the same as a lawyer. To legally practice law in Australia, one must obtain a law degree from a recognised university, complete an accredited legal practice course, be admitted to practice in their respective state, and hold a valid practicing certificate. Altogether, studying to be a lawyer in Australia takes a minimum of 4 years, and it is expected that lawyers complete 18 to 24 months of supervised practice at a law firm.
What Are the Advantages of Working in Litigation?
While at the best of times being a lawyer involves long hours, high stress and mountains of paperwork, there are some distinct advantages that come from being in the legal profession. Aside from the social recognition factor and a higher than average salary, litigation lawyers often report high satisfaction that comes from advocating for, representing and providing genuinely helpful services to their clients. Lawyers who have an analytical and strategic mind, the ability to collaborate and a passion for working with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds will most likely thrive working in litigation law.
When Should You Hire a Litigation Lawyer?
Ideally, you should consider hiring a litigation lawyer before you plan to lodge a dispute or as soon as you need to defend yourself against one. Litigation law and even the law in general is an especially tricky sector for the average person to try to navigate on their own. Litigation lawyers can advise and walk you through any complicated legal details of your case.
