Nick Jarrett-Kerr suggests routes towards the expansion of educational horizons for lawyers
After years of expensive study, newly-qualified lawyers often settle back and reassure themselves that their educational travails are over for good. The problem is that law is a somewhat narrow area of study and lawyers who are no more than proficient technically sometimes find it difficult to advise their clients holistically or to manage their teams proficiently. Many larger law firms now insist that law firm partners have more strings to their bow than just a legal qualification. Areas such as construction law, employment law, banking law, finance law, and medical negligence law (to name a few) are all examples of specialisms where a dual qualification offers immense benefits. Additional language qualifications are also beneficial—some lawyers are now learning Mandarin, for instance, as the importance of the Chinese economy increases.
Ownership & management
As careers develop, so does the need for a wider educational horizon. Law firm partners have to fulfil three roles—those of owners and managers as well as producers. Ownership and management each require skills not
