Year: 2022

“Law” is a system of rules designed to regulate behavior in both public and private society. Social and/or governmental institutions create and enforce these rules. Humans have been making laws for thousands of years. Early examples include ancient Egyptian law, Babylonian law, ancient Chinese law, and Old Testament law. There are many categories of law, including criminal law, civil law, and so on. Why does law matter at all? Here are ten reasons why:

#1 Laws set the standard for acceptable (and unacceptable) behaviors

At its most basic, the law is about mitigating conflict. When creating laws, societies reckon with what drives conflict. Some things – like murder and theft- are obvious and have been included in laws stretching back to ancient times. However, as time goes on and societies change, what’s considered acceptable changes, too. Legal systems adapt so they can provide clarity and context for unacceptable actions. They also offer guidelines for appropriate consequences.

#2 Laws provide access to justice

If it’s against the law to punch someone in the face, someone who gets punched can do something about it other than simply swinging back. In a perfect world, justice is equal. It doesn’t matter who got punched or who did the punching. What matters is that the law against punching was broken. Everyone in a society – and not just a privileged few – must have equal access to justice through the law.

#3 Laws keep everyone safe

Laws don’t only respond to injustices and harm. They work to prevent them. Food safety laws are a prime example. In the past, the food industry was horrendously unregulated. In the 18th and 19th centuries, American food producers went to extreme measures in their quest for profit. They watered down milk and stirred in materials like chalk for color. They mixed dirt into coffee, tea, and spices and added lead to beer and wine. In 1906, President Roosevelt and Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, as well as the Meat Inspection Act. This marked the beginning of modern food safety and monitoring. Today, food safety laws protect the public from potentially-fatal food poisoning.

#4 Laws protect the most vulnerable in society

Many laws are specifically designed to protect certain groups of people. Laws like the Civil Rights Act (the United States) and the Sex Discrimination Act (Australia) make it illegal to discriminate. These types of laws protect what’s known as “negative rights,” which is the right to be free from something, like discrimination. Anyone can be discriminated against, but as history shows, certain people are more at risk. Laws designed to prevent discrimination based on race, sex, gender, religion, and more protect these groups and give them better access to justice.

#5 The process of creating laws encourages civil and political engagement

As societies change, laws must change, too. Advancements in technology are a prime example of why. In recent times, revenge porn has become a major issue. According to one study, around 10 million Americans have had explicit photos shared without consent. While there are state laws, there is no federal law. In Australia, an electronic petition called upon the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly to criminalize revenge porn. The Assembly listened. This is a great example of people engaging with the law-making process and making law matter as issues evolve.

#6 Laws offers people a variety of career options

As a career, law is varied and versatile. Because there are so many different areas of law, there are hundreds of job options. Lawyers can specialize in everything from contracts to immigration to criminal law. A person can also become a professor of law, while there are also jobs for paralegals, consultants, and researchers. The legal system is big, so there is room for all kinds of skills and expertise.

#7 Laws are important to maintain peace

Earlier in this article, we touched on how law is essentially about mitigating conflict. That makes law essential to maintaining peace. This is because injustice fuels conflict. If destructive behaviors are allowed to flourish without remedy, people will suffer and become dissatisfied with their government. If justice is applied unequally, this also fans the flames of conflict. For the sake of peace, societies need to strengthen their rule of law and ensure that it’s fair.

#8 Laws are important for social progress

We’ve discussed how legal systems should adapt and evolve with the times. If laws remained stagnant, so would societies. Throughout history, law has been employed as a tool for social change. It was laws that made slavery, segregation, and apartheid illegal. Laws prevent people from getting fired from their jobs because of who they marry or because of a disability. The concept of law as a mechanism for social change is complicated because if the majority of a community doesn’t agree with the law, it’s likely that the law won’t be enforced. However, having a law on the books gives people more power than if the law didn’t exist at all. It’s an important step (though not necessarily the final step) to real social change.

#9 Laws make human rights a reality

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor once said, “I firmly believe in the rule of law as the foundation for all our basic rights.” Basic rights are the human rights that everyone is entitled to. This includes the right to life, the right to marry, the right to be free from discrimination, and more. These are listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but that document is not legally binding. To make human rights a reality, they have to be protected through laws. Without law, human rights would be an abstract concept. If you would like to learn more about human rights, consider studying a masters.

#10 Laws are not always good for society

The fact that law can be used to harm is the last reason why it’s so important. Laws are not always beneficial to society or they’re only beneficial to a select group. Governments often use laws to increase their power and punish critics. Laws can also be problematic when they fail to address the root causes of a problem and even end up making it worse. Fines, which are meant to encourage people to follow laws, can add up to the point of putting people in debt and criminalizing poverty. The war on drugs is another key example of how laws can hurt people. Instead of treating drug addiction as a public health issue, laws have turned it into a criminal one. In these cases, laws end up violating human rights instead of protecting them.Share

Getting along with colleagues can sometimes be easier said than done. While everyone’s job is focused on the practice of law, personal differences sometimes outnumber similarities, and disparities in temperament, work ethic, efficiency, and general work habits can cause friction among colleagues and undermine the success of the law firm.

Although you can’t – and shouldn’t try to – be everyone’s friend, with some effort, it is possible to have a positive work relationship with all members of your legal team. Here are some ways to help facilitate a collaborative law firm work environment:

Make a good first impression

If you are starting a new job, focus on getting off to a good start with coworkers. Everyone has had a “first day,” and it will take time to get to know your coworkers, but a good first impression is the best way to start your relationship. Be friendly and show that you are willing to learn.

Research from Psychology Today discusses “Predictive Outcome Value Theory,” the idea that:

“During an initial conversation, we form a positive or negative judgment about forming a future relationship with a person. The theory argues, and research supports, that if we form positive judgments, then we will communicate more with this person and seek more information. Conversely, if we form a negative judgment, we will restrict our communication.”

This first impression can plant the seed that will hopefully blossom into a collaborative work environment.

Adopt a team mentality

Working at a law firm involves being part of a team. Every role is essential, from the senior partner to the support staff. Make an effort to get along with all employees, and avoid treating one member differently than another according to rank or supposed level of importance.

Be a good listener

Ever wonder how balanced your conversations are? Do others enjoy talking with you or do they feel overshadowed? Try to spend one-third of conversations speaking and two-thirds listening. Remember that listening is an active practice that involves focusing intently on what is being said. Train yourself to pay attention to what your colleague is saying without getting distracted.

Being a good listener at work can give you a boost in productivity, fewer misunderstandings, better progress toward goals, and stronger relationships with your coworkers.

Avoid office politics

Office gossip, taking sides in a dispute and complaining about others happen to some extent in any place where people are working closely together for long periods of time. But you can avoid getting tangled in office politics, and keep from being the person who instigates. Try changing the subject or focusing on the positive if gossip comes up. Avoid sharing personal or job-related issues with colleagues who may not keep the information to themselves. If all else fails, claim a deadline and just walk away.

Welcome diversity

Not everyone looks or thinks the way you do—and that’s a good thing. Today’s law firms employ people who are diverse in background, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and age. These aspects should always be celebrated and respected, and every employee treated with dignity, consideration, and respect.

According to Entrepreneur, diversity benefits the workplace by driving innovation, increasing creativity, and improving access to the market. When firms can access a variety of ideas and experiences, they are better equipped to understand and anticipate their clients.

Have a can-do attitude

According to Canadian Lawyer Magazine, “Attitude is everything. Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”

During stressful times at a law firm, you can help reduce friction among coworkers, by demonstrating a willingness to work with everyone and anyone to get the job done. Offer your assistance whenever you can, and show that no task is beneath you.

Aim for harmony at work

Discord at work is, unfortunately, all too prevalent. Discourage negative workplace interactions and do your part to build a harmonious relationship with your coworkers. Show that you are a team player, that you are not interested in generating strife or contributing to bad feelings. Keep in mind that little things, such as a genuine thank you, can go a long way to creating comfort, rapport, and trust in the workplace.