News and Updates from FWA
Jul 2018
Given your skills profile, ask yourself if you are working in the practice best offering scope for personal and professional development? Is there a skills profile/firm profile match? A property lawyer operating within a mainly corporate practice may ultimately be limiting his/her options for partnership or even senior level positions. Think about how far you can take your skills profile. Similarly, will you become too experienced and too well paid to be able to make a sideways move (to a more junior level position as you see it) and retrain within a different specialist area? Others may view this as a downward step, given the salary/experience ratio, and firms may be less willing to offer you that opportunity than to a more junior level lawyer. This allows the firm to match salary and experience, as well as allowing them to train up staff within that specific corporate culture.
More senior lawyers bring experience, market knowledge, reputation, followings and the corporate cultural baggage of another firm! You may consider your years of experience as a strength you bring, other firms may form a different opinion. They may consider this as a weakness and as a result draw conclusions, rightly or wrongly, about your adaptability to new corporate cultures. This is why it is very important to consider the retraining issue, and not wait 6-8 years before looking closely at the skills profile/firm profile match. If there is no match, then how likely is this to change in the short to medium to long-term future? Given current trends to specialise, then you should be looking to find yourself in the working environment most suited to your skills that will allow you to develop and progress. Career planning is integral to your professional and personal success.
Jul 2025
Career breaks are increasingly common in the legal sector, whether undertaken for family commitments, health reasons, or to pursue other professional interests. However, returning to practice can present unique challenges. Below are five recommendations to support a successful re-entry into the legal profession: 1. Update Your Legal Knowledge The legal landscape evolves rapidly. Consider […]
Jun 2025
Meet FWA’s furry team members – Ting, Merlo, and Gigi – our loyal (and very fluffy) office companions. Whether they’re sitting in on video calls, offering quiet encouragement, or reminding us to take a break (AKA, take them on a walk), they’re always adding a little joy to the workday. One of […]
Jun 2025
This week is a timely reminder to check in — not just with our bodies, but with our minds and one another. Men’s Health Week is about raising awareness around the unique challenges men face in maintaining their health. From physical wellness to mental resilience, it’s time we break down stigmas and open up real […]