Kazakhstan
Asem Kaparovna, age 29, hometown — Sarkand, lawyer
About career choice
Lawyer carer was not my childhood dream. Initially, I was aiming for a career in journalism, but during school years I e showed a keen sense of justice. In the eighth grade, I fought against the injustice of the teacher and persuaded the class to write a statement of refusal of pedagogical services.
The head of the law firm "Korgaushy" inspired me to practice law and taught me all the nuances of the profession.
I used to work as a corporate lawyer, but after three years of work, I realized that I want to expand the range of responsibility. So I did an internship with a working lawyer, passed a qualification test, sent documents to the Ministry of Justice and got a lawyer's license.
In the beginning, it was difficult to adapt to the judicial-executive system, learn all the rules of conduct and other nuances.
About advocacy in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's bar has changed significantly over the past ten years. Previously, the lawyer was considered a figurehead of the process and could not influence the course of the case. Now the lawyer is a full participant in the process. A lawyer can help the innocent find justice and punish people who cross the law.
The peculiarity of advocacy in Kazakhstan is the mentality of the population
The peculiarity of advocacy in Kazakhstan is the mentality of the population. In Kazakhstan, lawyers are often approached by friends and relatives, from whom the lawyer does not take money. The lawyer works on enthusiasm and desire as the main part of work has a charitable character.
A lawyer in Kazakhstan is a universal worker who collects documents for the trial, speaks in court, looking for evidence. Lawyers in Western countries distinguish between activities: a solicitor keeps records, barrister argue in court.
In the United States, a lawyer can get $50,000 from one hearing which is an unthinkable amount in Kazakhstan.
The main difference between the Kazakhstani and Western advocacy is the fee for services. The peculiarity of advocacy in Kazakhstan is the mentality of the population.
About working conditions
I work 13 hours 6 days a week. I've had a four-day vacation in the last five years.
I am a member of the Almaty City Bar Association. Association arranges seminars, training and master classes with the participation of foreign experts.
Also, I run a community "Coffee with a lawyer". I used to hold informal meetings with young lawyers and attorneys, gave advice and answer questions, but now I decided to transform it into an online format, I conduct video tutorials on Instagram.
My job is to protect the client at trial, consulting, pre-trial defence and other duties.
About the plans
In the future, I plan to open a law firm that will operate throughout Kazakhstan.
Canada
Dimitriy Trofimov, age 36, hometown — Omsk, lawyer
About career choice
Since childhood, I have dreamed of becoming a lawyer, defending human rights and fighting for justice. My career started in Russia, but professional growth in Canada. First, I passed a ten-month internship, without which it is impossible to obtain a license.
In the legal profession, connections play an important role, so at first, it was difficult to find professional contacts. Also, for young lawyers, it's difficult to form a permanent client base, as first, you need to prove yourself.
About advocacy in Canada
Advocacy is one of the oldest professions with established traditions and norms of behaviour. Every province has peculiarities, and advocates create organizations and regulate the field.
There are mandatory and voluntary communities. To maintain a license, a lawyer must pass specialized courses.
The main changes in the legal profession related to technology. The introduction of professional software changes the usual course of work. Under a specific type of civil or criminal case, created a program to enter all the data.
The introduction of computer technology simplifies the work of the lawyer and allows detailed consideration in contentious cases
The introduction of computer technology simplifies the work of the lawyer and allows detailed consideration in contentious cases. The number of programs depends on the field of activity, and commercial advocacy involves a huge number of programs in comparison with criminal cases.
To become a lawyer in Canada, you must obtain a bachelor's degree in any speciality, pass the entrance exam to law school. The school lasts for three years, after which the license exam is passed. The exam consists of two tests taken two weeks apart. Each exam lasts seven hours.
About working conditions
My speciality is family law and criminal law. I work in my law firm. The working week consists of 50 to 80 hours per week.
The main holiday season is in December, during the Christmas holidays.
The work process begins with a paid consultation, where a work plan is built. If the client wishes to continue the work, the deposit is transferred to a new account, accompanied by reports on the actions of the law firm.
Impossible to determine the average salary of a lawyer, as earnings depend on many factors. Lawyers with experience can earn $400-600 per hour, and beginners start from $200.
Laws are changing every day, and without the help of colleagues, it's impossible to learn about all the possibilities.
I advise beginners to work in a team. Laws are changing every day, and without the help of colleagues, it's impossible to learn about all the possibilities. A professional lawyer is not able to perform all the processes.
About the plans
I plan to develop in my field, increase the network of professional acquaintances and gain a foothold in the niche.
As the chairman of the NGO for the development of women, we plan to organize events where the rights of women and children will be discussed.
Russia
Anton Samokha, age 39, hometown ― Kaliningrad, lawyer
About career choice
I decided to become a lawyer after 15 years of working in a related field. The advocacy was an ideal option for comfortable and professional development.
I did not pass an Internship in employment, as it is necessary for professionals without experience.
Understanding of the defendant is an art that needs to be studied.
In the first two years, it was difficult to establish contact with the client. Understanding of the defendant is an art that needs to be studied.
About advocacy in Russia
In the Russian judicial system, a lawyer has low power than a prosecutor.
In the Russian judicial system, a lawyer has low power than a prosecutor. There is a belief that a lawyer in the process is an extra person. The evidence presented by the lawyer is questioned, although in Europe and the United States the court unconditionally accepts all materials provided by the lawyer.
Competition in the Russian legal profession is high, and each specialist is in constant search of clients. Also, the competitive market is formed by lawyers who, without license provide legal services. Such lawyers often violate the lawyer's code and promise the client a specific result, but the lawyer's code clearly says that the lawyer has no right to make a promise.
About the working conditions
Work schedule depends on employment. If there are a lot of customers, there no time for rest.
Previously I worked only on criminal cases, but after moving to the advocacy retrained in divorce and division of property cases. Now 50% of my activity — criminal cases, 50% — civil cases.
In the Russian judicial system, a lawyer has low power than a prosecutor
The duties of a civil lawyer depend on the terms of the contract between the lawyer and the client. In criminal cases, if you're admitted to the case, you work until the very end.
I advise beginners to explain actions to the client to make it clear and transparent for them. Due to such approaches, clients will show loyalty and trust.
About the plans
In the future, I plan to write a book of tips with legal advice and run a course on online promotion for young lawyers and attorneys.
Ukraine
Alyona Kalugina, age 27, hometown — Dnipro, lawyer
About career choice
I entered the field of jurisprudence by coincidence. In the tenth grade I entered the law school and during the study fell in love with this profession.
I was inspired to become a lawyer by American films and TV series, where lawyers defended the rights of the innocent.
A year and a half ago I started a legal business because I decided to invest money and energy in my own business. Creating a business is not an easy task, which required knowledge in the field of management, marketing and accounting basics. A sense of responsibility for the team and new responsibilities pushed to the development.
About advocacy in Ukraine
The advocacy in Ukraine has stepped forward. There are more than 50,000 registered lawyers and their number is constantly growing. At the beginning of 2019, into force came standard, only lawyers can argue in courts.
The reduction of law enforcement officers has led to increased competition, as they have more experience and knowledge in criminal cases. This encourages specialists to create new approaches to work and build a loyal approach to the client. Lawyers turn to marketers, conduct business audits and adjust to new realities. This is a positive movement that develops advocacy.
The peculiarity of the Ukrainian advocacy is the approach to work. A lawyer in Ukraine is a universal employee who maintains all documentation, conducts both criminal and civil cases. Colleagues in the West find a niche in which they conduct their activities. Narrow specialization increases the credibility, as the client understands that in this case, the lawyer is competent.
A lawyer in Ukraine is a universal employee who maintains all documentation, conducts both criminal and civil cases
There are two types of lawyers in the Ukrainian advocacy — specialists of the old and new approaches. Innovators organize communities, define a niche and develop in a specific direction. Adherents of the old approach work alone and lead cases for many years.
To become a lawyer in Ukraine, you need to have experience in the field of law for at least two years. Pass the exam, undergo a six-month internship and pass the approval of the Advocacy Council.
About working conditions
As a lawyer, I work no more than three hours a day, the rest of the time I devote to the development of the company. I schedule working time by myself, on the necessity I plan the weekends.
Lawyers depend on the schedule of court sessions, so they can not spontaneously go on vacation. In our company, colleagues back each other up, and this is another advantage of working in a team.
The lawyer is obliged to be a member of the Bar Association in his/her area, to pay annual dues. In return, the organization conducts training seminars.
The average salary of a lawyer in Ukraine is $600 per month, but earnings depend on the workload of the specialist.
About the plans
I plan to further develop the company and achieve a new level. We are working on a project to automate the work of lawyers.
