But even assuming that portrayals of lawyers in these types of popular TV shows are in part correct, there are many parts of being a lawyer that is not portrayed in the mass media or entertaining TV shows. So where does one get details and information about this, short of actually tagging along with all sorts of lawyers during their typical day. At most, most law students get a couple opportunities during summer internships to get a sense of just one specific legal career field over the course of a few weeks. I found this type of conversation to occur over and over again with many students from many backgrounds and universities in the United States and other regions.
From a global perspective, the added supply of available lawyers who possess practical legal skillsets will allow the private and government sector to choose from more lawyers with more focused specialties whereby such lawyers can add value immediately in their particular fields.
Thus onshore businesses will be able to afford to hire specialized lawyers for specific departments for negotiations and global expansion efforts. At the same time, Korean government branches, both related and unrelated to law, will have access to a greater pool of government lawyers who can articulate and negotiate the interests of the Korean republic when confronting other states head-to-head at the negotiation table.
But of such wide array of career fields, which one best fits which type of person? This is an answer that can only best be answered by understanding the “typical day” of traditional and non-traditional professionals.
* Professor Jasper Kim is department chair and Associate Professor at Ewha Womans University. He has worked in various traditional and non-traditional careers as a lawyer, banker, consultant, author, columnist, and academic since graduating from law school. This article is adapted from an excerpt from professor Kim’s just-released book, “24 Hours with 24 Lawyer: Profiles of Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers.”
Professor Jasper Kim
evoice@ewha.ac.kr