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How junior barristers can prepare for a future post-coronavirus
COVID-19 may have taken over the courts and slowed down usual processes, but junior, new and soon-to-be barristers should still be using this time to build a portfolio and create opportunities, said Victorian Bar’s Katherine Lorenz in conversation with Lawyers Weekly.
Naomi Neilson
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic hit the courts and the wider justice system with new challenges and opportunities, and although it meant delays and an overhaul of typical processes, it should not mean the end of networking for junior barristers.
This has meant not just a delay to the courts and working practices, but for some time the courts had no activity and “it’s only just starting to gear up now in a limited way”.
Much like the courts found opportunities to adapt, so too should new barristers. Ms Lorenz said it is important that they are agile and to understand the changes in this market as the coronavirus pandemic forces new practices onto a historic and traditional system.
“The market has certainly temporarily changed, and they permanently [changed] as a result of COVID-19,” Ms Lorenz said. “If they want to market themselves, they do need to be IT savvy and they need to be prepared to do things in ways they may not have thought of.”
When the pandemic first hit Australia, and the justice system, admission ceremonies were one of the first aspects to either be postponed or entirely cancelled. This was followed by financial assistance, and major changes in barrister and chamber practices. However, the courts have been able to adapt quickly, including the recent 48 virtual bar admissions.
To ensure new and junior barristers are keeping up with these changes and ensuring they are preparing for their future, Ms Lorenz said it is important they are prepared.
“The other thing [junior barristers] need to do is to be flexible and be prepared to do things they may not have done before, in terms of practice areas. [They should] speak to their ultimate end clients to find out what they need from lawyers in this time,” said Ms Lorenz.
“It may not be what they expect.”
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Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
