Included to showcase the journal layout. Review and adapt before using it as your academy’s editorial content.
Begin with curiosity, not a permanent choice
Law students often feel pressure to choose a practice area early. A more useful first step is to explore the tasks involved and notice which ones hold your attention. Your interests can develop as you gain experience.
Try a litigation-style exercise
Choose a publicly available judgment suitable for your level. Prepare a short chronology, identify the issues and distinguish the court’s reasoning from the parties’ arguments. Then write a one-page case note in your own words. Check every proposition against the judgment rather than relying only on a summary.
Try a commercial drafting exercise
Using a fictional transaction, list what each party will provide, when performance is due and what could go wrong. Draft a short clause that addresses one of those risks. Review whether a reader can identify the obligation, trigger and consequence without guessing.
Reflect on the experience
- Did you prefer investigating facts or organising a transaction?
- Did you enjoy comparing authorities or refining precise wording?
- What questions did you need help answering?
- Which task would you willingly practise again?
These are exploratory exercises, not a complete picture of either field. Litigation and corporate work both involve research, drafting, judgment and communication, and practice varies across organisations.
Use your next opportunity deliberately
Before an internship, set two learning goals and ask how you can contribute. Keep a private reflection on skills you practised without retaining confidential documents. Speak with practitioners about their actual working routines, and use that context to choose your next learning step.