If you believe what you see on Ally McBeal, being a lawyer involves quirky clients, unisex toilets and flirting with beautiful people. This may be what some firms are like, but legal training offers a lot more than a set of unusual work conditions. There are 12,000 firms in private practice in the UK, giving a massive choice of the type of law firm and law sector to specialise in. Involves Resolving disputes through going to court, arbitration or mediation. Also buying, selling and setting up companies. Attributes neededAn understanding of cross-border issues A detailed knowledge of the law Ability to deliver practical solutions to achieve clients' commercial goals Work/Social life balanceForget about your social life. Corporate lawyers work longer and harder than any other lawyers. Opportunity to travel Occasional opportunities for overseas travel InvolvesBeing a criminal lawyer involves dealing with people from all walks of life. It is a demanding job, both physically and mentally, but the diverse nature of the working day is what attracts people to specialise in it. Attributes neededYou need to be able to communicate with people who are under pressure and to be able to reassure them whilst representing them. Work/Social life balanceDue to the erratic nature of criminal activity, criminal lawyers may have to be on call 24 hours a day and can find themselves at the police station at 3am. The high levels of pay (unless you are involved in legal-aid work) make up for the long hours but a criminal lawyer has to be prepared to live to work rather than work to live. Opportunity to travelCriminal law is generally locally based, so unless you are involved in a high-profile extradition case, you have no chance of clocking up your air miles. InvolvesCarrying out legal compliance audits, assisting in applications for licences, advising developers on environmental impacts. Attributes neededGood research skills as material changes rapidly Advocacy and negotiation skillsNeed knowledge of tort, criminal, land, EU, corporate, contract, civil and criminal law. Work/Social life balanceLike most jobs, you can get snowed under with work at certain times, while it's not so bad at other times. Weekends are sacrosanct to some lawyers, whilst others choose to work. Opportunity to travelLots of opportunity to travel worldwide, but be warned, you'll see more foreign offices than sandy beaches. You'll have a chance to experience the foreign nightlife courtesy of the company credit card. InvolvesDrafting contracts between lenders and borrowers Formation of commercial agreements Attributes neededAccuracy Diligence Attention to detail Ability to switch focus quickly due to speed of transactions Avid interest in business An ability to get on with people Need to understand how company, tax, and finance interrelate Work/Social life balance Long hours due to the time zones you're working to, but the buzz of closing a huge transaction makes up for it. Need to socialise with clients so lunches, dinners and cocktail parties are all part of the job. Opportunity to travel International travel is a common aspect of the job. InvolvesResolving disputes through letters, meetings and court action as a last resort. When you're a trainee, you have to do research and preparation for senior lawyers. Attributes neededNeed to understand contract and tort Tactical skills of a chess player Need to be able to take criticism from clients and colleagues An understanding of cross-border issues is essential Work/Social life balanceYou may have to work long hours in a pressurised environment, with little time for partying. Opportunity to travelLots of opportunities due to cross-border work. InvolvesDealing with divorce proceedings and financial agreements. Attributes neededPatience Good listening and communication skills Sensitivity due to emotional nature of cases Work/Social life balanceGood balance between the two, which can only be a good thing. Opportunity to travelDepending on where husbands and wives are situated, family law is generally confined to national areas, with no chance of international travel, unless you are very lucky InvolvesDrafting contracts Advising on dismissals and redundancies Dealing with claims of inequality on the grounds of sex, race or disability Attributes neededGood people skills due to dealing with difficult situations Advocacy skills needed for conducting your own cases at industrial tribunals Work/Social life balanceLots of paperwork, but not so much that a social life is unheard of Opportunity to travelPlenty of opportunity for international travel InvolvesCommercial drafting of computer licences and maintenance contracts Litigation in software disputes Attributes neededNeed to be able to adapt due to diverse nature of work. Intellectual property and commercial law are essential. Understanding of UK and EU competition law is beneficial. Work/Social life balanceNot much paperwork involved and you have a good chance of a healthy social life. Opportunity to travelDue to international nature of the work, international travel is part of the job. | 
