6 Pupillage Lessons That Will Transform You into a REAL Lawyer!

Thinking of becoming a REAL lawyer? Read this!”

Before you enter pupillage in Ghana… PLEASE listen to this. These 6 lessons transformed me — and they will transform you too!”

Lesson 1 – Communicate Clearly

First one — COMMUNICATE! If you don’t understand a task, ASK. Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Don’t wait till 4:55pm to say, ‘Oh, Senior, so what exactly should I do?’
A 20-second clarification can save you 5 hours of embarrassment.

Lesson 2 – Be Your Own Clerk

Number 2 — BE your own clerk… sometimes.
If printing, binding, or organising something will take less than 10 minutes, just do it.
Pupillage is not the time to form ‘I’m a lawyer now’. No task is beneath you.

Lesson 3 – Be Early for Court

Number 3 — BE EARLY.
In court, early is on time. On time is late. Late is disrespect.
Arrive 30 minutes before your case, settle, breathe, and prepare. Those extra minutes will save your career more times than you think.

Lesson 4 – Ask Questions Before Holding Brief

Number 4 — If you’re holding brief for your senior… ASK. EVERYTHING.
Don’t go to court empty.
Know the facts. Know the reliefs. Know the file.
Or else… you will embarrass yourself publicly. And trust me — nobody forgets.

Lesson 5 – Respect Court Interpreters

Number 5 — Court interpreters can make or break your day.
Greet them. Respect them. They are your bridge to the judge.
Be kind, and they’ll help the process flow smoothly.

Lesson 6 – Research BEFORE Drafting

Number 6 — Before you draft anything… RESEARCH.
Drafting is 80% thinking, 20% typing.
Use LexisNexis, CLJ, cases online — whatever you have.
A well-researched draft saves you from being torn apart by a senior… or a judge.

Final Advice

And please remember… it’s NEVER lawyer vs lawyer.
It’s client vs client.
Be professional. Be respectful. Build relationships.
That’s how you survive — and thrive.