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Choosing a specialisation in the legal field can be difficult for many new practitioners. Emily Windsor, a barrister with experience in agricultural and property law, offers some perspective on the importance of flexibility and openness when developing a legal career.
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Embracing Career Evolution
An essential part of developing a legal career is acknowledging that your path may shift along the way. Emily Windsor reassures new lawyers that having a rigid career plan from the start isn’t necessary.
“When you’re starting out, the key is to keep an open mind,” she says. “Sometimes the area you think you want to specialise in isn’t the one that ends up being the best fit. And that’s perfectly fine.”
Emily Windsor shares from her own experience that when she was beginning her career, she worked in various fields, including international law, clinical negligence, and general common law. She didn’t initially plan to become an expert in agricultural law—that specialization developed naturally as her career progressed.
This approach of remaining open to different possibilities allows new legal professionals to gain broad exposure to different areas of law before settling into a specific niche.
Adapting to Changes in the Legal Landscape
The legal industry is constantly changing, making flexibility a crucial skill for sustained success. Emily Windsor reflects on how significantly the profession has evolved throughout her career.
“When I started, telecommunications law wasn’t even a thing,” she points out. “Now it’s a booming field. And that’s just one example.”
Even within established areas like agricultural law, Emily Windsor has witnessed significant legislative changes, including new succession rules for tenant farmers. These developments require even experienced practitioners to continuously update their knowledge and skills.
To stay current in her field, Emily has written a legal textbook, though she acknowledges there are many other ways to maintain expertise, such as training sessions and online resources.
Allowing Your Path to Develop Naturally
If you’re feeling uncertain about your legal focus, Emily Windsor suggests having confidence in the journey of career development.
“You don’t have to have all the answers right away,” she says. “The important thing is to stay curious, keep learning, and be open to where the journey takes you.”
Emily emphasises that career changes aren’t failures but opportunities for growth. What might begin as one area of practice could evolve into something entirely different as new opportunities emerge.
She is aware of the difficulties that are naturally part of a legal career. “The Bar is a challenging profession, and setbacks are inevitable. But if you’re tenacious and believe in yourself, you’ll find your footing,” she says.
Practical Approaches to Finding Your Niche
Emily Windsor suggests paying attention to the type of work that energises you. This self-awareness can help guide career decisions more effectively than rigid planning.
“I’ve always enjoyed debating,” she explains, “and I knew early on that I loved crafting a solid argument and seeing how the law could shape an outcome.”
To identify potential areas of specialisation, Emily recommends asking yourself practical questions: What types of cases can you see yourself working on long-term? Do you prefer detail-oriented fields like contract law or more dynamic areas like family law?
She reinforces that law is a dynamic and expansive field where professionals can carve out their own space by experimenting with different specialisations and roles.
