Law: Candidate attorney

Doreen Lyomba said a candidate attorney, also known as a law clerk or articling student in some jurisdictions, is someone who is gaining practical experience in the legal profession as part of their path to becoming a fully qualified attorney or lawyer.

“This training period bridges the gap between finishing law school and becoming a practicing lawyer. During this period of practical training, candidates will work under the guidance and supervision of qualified legal practitioners,” she said.

Participation in practical legal training courses provided by institutions like the Justice Training Centre is crucial, she noted, adding that these courses complement practical experience and cover various aspects of legal practice.

Her motivations for pursuing a legal career include factors such as her passion for justice, an attraction to intellectual challenges, a desire to influence legal decisions and policies, advocacy skills, diverse specialisation opportunities and complex problem-solving opportunities, she said.

She added that her penchant for continuous learning and the array of career prospects within and beyond traditional legal practice played a significant role in driving her passion toward the legal profession.