Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an attorney

Selecting the correct career is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.

Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with business people, professionals and other role players, focusing on a specific career every week.

By doing this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers navigating their career choices.

This week, we give a platform to the attorney career. Tsakani resident Terrance Magadla has been an attorney for a year. He said his interest in resolving complex societal issues through applying the law led him into this field.

“The advantage of doing law is that it is so broad, and you can work in any industry. The disadvantage is that because the law is broad, it is often easy to get lost in it and be unable to find your niche.

“As a result, you end up unemployed because you cannot find articles of clerkship (practical vocational training),” he said.

What is the difference between an attorney and a lawyer?
A lawyer has completed an LLB degree at a university. Private and public institutions offer LLB degree programmes.

After completing a law degree, one can become an advocate or an attorney. The main difference between them is that the latter can open a law firm and practice from their own account.

However, an advocate can only receive work through referrals from attorneys unless the advocate is a “trust advocate”, meaning they can directly source clients.

The discussion will focus on attorneys and, for one to become an attorney, they must complete an LLB degree, do articles of clerkship for two years, attend practical law school, write and pass four board exams and apply to the high court for admission as an attorney.

What does an attorney do?
An attorney mostly does everything law-related, but some take different paths in their careers, and others are in practice, meaning they appear in court, be it a civil or criminal matter.

The attorney manages the client’s case from the initial phases through litigation until finalisation. Other attorneys do not appear in court but provide legal advice to private and public institutions.

The work attorneys do is vast because almost all institutions, at some point, would have a legal document requiring an attorney to get involved.

What high school subjects do I need to become an attorney?
There are no restrictions, but you must get a bachelor’s pass. It will be handy to do history and English because they will help hone your reading and writing skills.

What skills should I have to become an attorney?
• Written and oral communication skills;
• People skills;
• Interpersonal skills and
• Organisational skills.

How long does it take to become an attorney?
The process is long and often arduous, particularly because of the financial burden. You must pay for practical legal school, and the process is lengthy after completing your legal degree.

Here’s a breakdown:
• An LLB takes about four years to complete.
• Doing law articles generally takes two years working as a candidate attorney.
• Completing the board exams is the next step. They consist of four papers one must complete.
• Passing these exams is crucial.
• Attorney admission is the final step to becoming an attorney in SA.

To become an attorney in SA takes at least six years.

What are the responsibilities of an attorney?
• Communicating with clients to learn about their legal needs and concerns and giving them advice.
• Developing strategies to resolve cases favourably and cost-effectively for clients.
• Explaining legal options to clients and bringing possible outcomes or threats to their attention.
• Building relationships with clients based on trust.
• Developing arguments and representing clients in criminal and civil legal proceedings.
• Preparing legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions and pleadings, accurately and promptly.
• Staying informed about current legislation, especially concerning legal specialities.
• Finding ethical solutions to legal matters.

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