Listening 3: Law firm structure 27 = Linus Walker has applied for a position at a law firm. Listen to his job interview and answer these questions. 1. What does Mr Nichols say about the atmosphere of the firm? 2 What does Linus say about the size of the firm? 28 = Listen again and complete this organigram of the firm using the words in the box. Associate Full Partners. Mr Robertson Paralegal__Real Property Salaried Partner "Ms Graham, Mr Nichols 2) = - cc Department | Secretary) | Debtor-Creditor Department | Secretany | Salaried Partner 4) - Seay | 2 Associate 5) 6) 4 Paralegal — A Associate Paralegal I Paralegal — Associate ) Speaking 3: Describing a law firm 29 Look at the following phrases used by Mr Nichols to describe the firm. Which can be used to speak of department or company, and which of a person? Which can be used for both? .. is/are headed by is/are assisted by .. .. fs/are managed by is/are responsible for ... is/are in charge of ... report to 30 Using the phrases in Exercise 29, describe the structure of a law firm with which you are familiar or the one just described in Listening 3. Refer to the positions and duties of the personnel. Unit» The practice of law34. 4 Listen to five lawyers talking about their firms, practice areas and clients. Tick the information you hear about each speaker. ‘Speaker 1... 1 has a few years’ working experience. 2 works as a clerk at a mid-size commercial taw firm. 3 will get to know other departments of the firm. 4 meets with clients regularty. 5 plans to specialise in commercial litigation. ‘Speaker 2... 1 is a sole practitioner. 2 works in the area of employment law. 3 deals with wage disputes. 4 represents clients in mediation. 5 has many clients who are small businesses. Speaker 3 .. 1. works in the area of secured transactions, 2 carries out trade-mark registrations 3 assists clients who are in artistic professions. 4 serves as an expert witness in court. 5 is a partner in a large IP firm. Speaker 4 .. 1 is a senior partner in a mid-size law firm. 2 specialises in competition law. 3 represents clients before the employment tribunal 4 deals with infringements of the Competition Act. 5 has clients in the telecommunications sector. ‘Speaker 5 ... 1. owns shares in his firm. 2 argues cases in court. 3 works in the area of real property law. 4 represents landlords but not tenants. 5 teaches courses on litigation at the law university. 32 Discuss these questions ooo000 ooOoo0o oooooO ooooo oooo00 1 Which kind of firm do you work in or would you like to work in? 2 Which areas of the law have you specialised in or would like to specialise in? Listening 5: Law firm culture 33 Read this excerpt from an article in a law-school newspaper about law firm culture. Which type of firm would you prefer to work for? Why? One factor which plays an important role in the culture ofa law firm is its sole practitioner) to global firms employing hundreds of attomneys all size. Law firms can range | over the world. A small from a one-person solo | law firm, which typically Practice (conducted by a | engages from two to ten lawyers, is sometimes | lawyers, while a large law known as a boutique | firm is considered to be firm, as it often specialises | one employing 50 or more in a specific area of the | attorneys. law, A mid-size law firm generally has ten to 5034 ¢ Listen to Richard, a law student, talking to a group of frstyear law students at an ofientation event at law school. He tells them about his experience as a clerk in different law firms. Answer these questions. 1 Why do the professors encourage students to do work experience? 2 How long have Richard's clerkships generally lasted? 3 What is Richard's final piece of advice? 35 © Listen again and tick the advantages of small and large law firms Richard ‘mentions. In some cases, he says both types of firm have the same advantage. Cie ee ee ‘more autonomy and responsibility i ‘opportunity to work on prestigious cases i ‘chance to rotate through different practice areas asked to write briefs and letters ‘allowed to conduct research and manage court books 36 Discuss these questions. 4. Do you have any experience working as a clerk in a law firm? In what ways was it similar or different from Richard's experience? 2 What kinds of tasks and responsibilities do clerks in your firm have? 3 Do you agree with the way Richard characterises small and large (avr firms? GA) ona ‘To improve your web-based research skills, visit www.cambridge.org/elt/legalenglish, click on Research Tasks and choose Task 1. Units The practice of law 9