2. Context of Law Practice

Have you ever felt left behind or confused by the terminology used to describe some aspect of law practice? You are not alone! Immersing yourself in a new field, surrounded by people who know what they’re doing (or seem to), can be daunting. This is particularly the case for students who have no lawyers in their family, or perhaps have never met a lawyer. Like in most professions, there is language, a ‘way of being’, a particular set of knowledge – much of which can only be gained through practice.

This first Chapter aims to demystify some of the concepts that are sometimes taken for granted in law practice. The Chapter begins with the seemingly simple question, “What is a Lawyer and how are Lawyers Regulated?”. It includes examples of how legal workplaces are organised, how lawyers are paid, and how legal organisations apart from firms are funded.

This Chapter introduces students to the importance of the regulatory environment and business structures in legal service provision. Understanding the context of a workplace can help give insight into how and why certain clients and communities are served and in what legal areas, the diversity of the workplace, levels of wellness and job satisfaction, and so on. It also helps students understand a firm or clinic’s business practices (for example, billing, reporting structures, etc.).