Publication date: 05.06.2024
How to get a job as a lawyer in Ukraine
The legal profession in Ukraine has always been and remains one of the most prestigious. Despite economic fluctuations and political changes, the need for qualified lawyers does not disappear. Especially now, when the country is going through large-scale transformations, lawyers are becoming key figures in many processes. But how can a young specialist find his place in this field? Let's consider this issue in more detail.
The first step is to decide on a specialization. Jurisprudence is an extremely broad field, and being a "general lawyer" is not enough today. One of the promising directions is labor law. Why? For several reasons: firstly, labor relations lawyer affect almost everyone; secondly, in the conditions of reforming labor legislation and changes in the labor market, this direction is very dynamic.
Indeed, the demand for specialists in this field is growing. For example, searches for "employment lawyer" and "employment lawyer" on Google have increased by more than 30% in the last year. And in Kyiv, where a large number of enterprises are concentrated and where difficult labor situations arise more often, the search for "lawyer for labor disputes Kyiv" breaks all records.
So, you have decided to become an employment lawyer. What's next? Education is certainly important, but in real life employers are increasingly looking at practical skills. Oleg Savchenko, managing partner of a law firm specializing in labor disputes, says: "When a young specialist comes to us, it is not important to us what grades he has, but whether he understands the realities of modern business. For example, whether he can advise a startup on registration of freelancers."
How to acquire such experience ? There are several ways:
1. Internship. Many law firms offer internship programs. Look for those that specialize in employment law. Yes, you may have to work a lot for a nominal fee, but you will gain invaluable experience.
2. Pro bono. This is the practice of providing free legal services. For example, you can cooperate with trade unions or public organizations, protecting the rights of workers. This is not only experience, but also an opportunity to earn a reputation.
3. Online consultations. On such platforms as "Legal assistance online" or "Lawyer-online", advice on labor issues is often sought. By answering there, you not only practice, but also build your online portfolio.
4. Publications. Keep a blog about labor law, write articles for specialized publications. Employers value lawyers who can simply explain complex things.
The next stage is job search. Here it is important to understand that "lawyer on the labor code" or "lawyer on labor matters" jobs are available not only in law firms. Such specialists are needed:
- In corporations - in positions of HR lawyers.
- In trade unions - to protect the rights of workers.
- In consulting firms - as labor law experts.
- In state bodies - for example, in labor inspectorates.
Be prepared for practical questions during the interview. You may be asked to analyze a real labor dispute or be offered to draft a statement of claim. Employers want to see how you think, not just to test your knowledge of the law.
Separately, it is worth saying about private practice. Many experienced professionals start out as a "labor dispute lawyer" on a freelance basis, and then open their own offices. This path requires not only legal knowledge, but also entrepreneurial skills.
Kateryna Ivanenko, who opened her own practice in Kyiv three years ago, recalls: "At first, I worked at home, gave labor lawyer consultations online. Then I took on several cases in court as a lawyer in labor disputes. People saw the results, and they sent recommendations. Now I have office and three assistants."
Continuous learning is another key to success. Labor law is changing rapidly. Last year, more than 50 changes were made to the Code of Labor Laws. Therefore, a labor law lawyer is not just a position, it is a lifestyle where learning never stops.
Attend conferences, subscribe to professional newsletters, participate in webinars. For example, the annual conference "Labor Law in Action" gathers more than 500 participants, from beginners to Supreme Court justices.
Networking is also important. Attend events where you can meet colleagues - labor lawyers, corporate lawyers, trade union representatives. Such connections often lead to interesting job offers.
The last, but very important point is reputation. In a world where the keywords "employment lawyer services" produce thousands of results, trust becomes a major asset. Adhere to ethical standards, keep promises, do not take on matters in which you have doubts.
"Once a large company approached me and offered me a lot of money for consulting on how to optimize the staff to circumvent the law," says Andriy Lysenko, a well-known labor law attorney.
