Lawyers as alphabet shapes
I shaped, T shaped, O shaped. Not only are there many different practice areas, there are now also letters to describe the type of lawyer that we may become.
What happened to just being a good lawyer?!
I'll explain.
With the help of tech and the SQE, the legal services industry is about to embark upon a huge shift. If we want to keep up with this shift as lawyers, we must be equipped with the skills we will need to prosper.
This is where the letters come in.
First, lets take a look at the meaning behind what seems like attaching random, alphabet shapes to the legal profession.
Makes sense huh?!
The Reality
Over the past 30 years or so, the legal profession has championed one, traditional route to qualification. Although there are alternatives to this including the legal apprenticeship, the LLB/GDL, LPC & training contract process is undeniably the most prominent.
Despite such alternatives emerging, it is argued that the slow pace of change in the profession means that this qualification process produces lawyers that aren't equipped to support clients of the modern world.
As stated by Dan Kayne, General Counsel (Regions) Network Rail:
"We are not un-tapping the potential of people that come to our industry who are bright eyed, bushy tailed and want to change the world...we stick them for two years dealing with photocopying and proof reading- whatever else it takes- because the prize at the end is huge."
Dan believes that we have a once in a generation opportunity to change this.
Welcome the O Shaped Lawyer movement.
What does this mean for lawyers of the future?
With the rise in Alternative Business Structures, more organisations are now delivering legal services to increasingly informed and sophisticated clients. The emergence of legal tech is already shifting the role of a lawyer away from transactional tasks. Add to this landscape current societal issues including diversity, inclusion and mental health, and one need look no further for reasons why the legal industry must adapt.
What remains is the human service provided by a lawyer who not only understands a client's problem, but strives to solve it as if it were their own. The days where a lawyer is appreciated for giving the correct advice without applying emotional intelligence will soon be gone. An I or T shaped lawyer will no longer be enough.
It's time for us to become more 'O'.
Through a junior lawyer's eyes
Now I didn't say that this is going to be easy. Change, especially within well-founded organisations, is tough. This is the part where I add my perspective.
With all credit given to my in-house training, I genuinely believe I am on the path to becoming an 'O' shaped lawyer. This however, doesn't always make me feel comfortable, and I'll explain why.
From speaking to many aspiring and qualified lawyers, I know that many of us suffer from time to time with not feeling like we are enough. For me personally, one of the main elements of this has been my belief that I don't live up to the type of individual that is expected within my prestigious industry, and that subsequently I am not attractive to traditional legal organisations and their clients.
More specifically, as a junior, I battle with the act of keeping up appearances. On one hand, I'm trying to show my working out and deliver my role in a way that conforms to what is expected and proves that I can do the job. On the other, I'm trying to challenge the status quo and be original in my thinking. See the clash? All whilst trying to become better technically. Hmph.
I truly believe that in order for young lawyers to embody the O Shaped movement, the presumption that one must have earned their stripes before one can start to suggest new concepts, ideas and ways of doing things must be dropped. The O Shaped Lawyer movement needs to be adopted by all in order for us to see the change we are all longing for.
What now?
Although this pains me to write, I do wonder whether we should adapt our alphabet shape to the situation we are in.
(I thought that if I struck that through you wouldn't take any notice, and deep down I hope that is the case.)
If we get the SQE right, maybe some young lawyers won't feel like they have to temporarily dim their innovative streak until their voice feels loud enough. Maybe, just maybe, we can break down the boundaries created by a hierarchical system that has been embedded into the industry for so long. Put simply, I think we still have some work to before lawyers and professionals of all levels can fully embrace the human side of what we do.
For now, let's focus trying to embody the O Shaped Lawyer movement's vision, in the best way that we can, within the stage we are at:
"To lead the creation of a legal ecosystem which values people as individuals, which gives everyone a voice and which fosters a culture where legal providers and customers can work together to build trust and deliver excellent services."
You can find out more about the O Shaped Lawyer movement here: