Lawyer Career Insights: Why We Chose to Keep Going—or Not (Part 1)

💡 Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a lawyer—or if it’s worth continuing in the profession? In this video, I sit down with my former supervisor, April, to share our honest journeys in law: why we started, what it’s really like, and why we chose to continue—or not.

👩‍⚖️ In this conversation, we cover:

• Why we decided to study law

• The realities of becoming a lawyer

• Why we continued—or stepped away—from practising law

• Lessons and advice for anyone considering law school, a legal career, or deciding whether to keep going in law

Hello everyone! In this episode, we discussed our journeys in law, why we chose to study it, what it’s like to practice as a lawyer, and how we made decisions about continuing or stepping away from the profession. If you’re considering a career as a lawyer, this post offers insight into the realities of the profession.

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Why We Chose to Study Law

April and I had different reasons for choosing law. April was inspired by her father, a public prosecutor in China specializing in financial crimes. From a young age, she was fascinated by law and decided it was her calling.

For me, I chose law because my math skills weren’t strong in high school, and law seemed like a “fancy” option that didn’t rely heavily on advanced math. It was my comfort zone at the time.

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Our First Experience as a Lawyer

I started practicing law in Australia in 2017 and quickly realized how demanding the profession is. Being a lawyer isn’t just about understanding legal theory—it’s about managing people, handling conflicts, and ensuring every decision is accurate.

April explained that whether you’re preparing contracts, negotiating deals, or handling litigation, you constantly need to “fight”—not in a hostile way, but to advocate for your clients, stand your ground with colleagues, and manage expectations.

For me, this fast-paced environment was overwhelming at first. Lawyers face continuous phone calls, emails, and urgent tasks, often interrupting ongoing work. April’s mentorship helped me navigate these challenges, prioritise tasks, and approach legal problems strategically. She didn’t just supervise me—she inspired me to find my own path as a lawyer.

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Why April Continues to Practice Despite Challenges

April continues to practice law and is even pursuing specialisation in property law. Her passion for learning and embracing challenges shows how fulfilling a legal career can be for those who enjoy problem-solving, debating, and exploring new challenges.

I, however, realised that the traditional law firm environment wasn’t aligned with my personality, so I chose a different path.

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To Be Continued. . .