New Lawyers Bring Modern Skills, Not Declining Standards, Says Law Firm
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Advocate Ariel Yosefi of the Herzog law firm asserts that new legal interns and lawyers bring valuable contemporary skills, countering any notion of declining standards. The firm recruits promising candidates from both universities and colleges, integrating them deeply into legal work and client relations. Herzog offers a structured internship program, allowing interns to choose their specialization and providing extensive internal training. Yosefi also noted that the high number of lawyers in Israel does not negatively impact the firm's ability to recruit top talent.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- New legal interns bring contemporary skills, enhancing professional standards, according to Advocate Ariel Yosefi.
- Herzog law firm recruits strong candidates from universities and colleges, valuing diverse backgrounds and skills.
- Interns are integrated into teams from day one, gaining significant practical experience and client exposure.
- The firm allows interns to choose their specialization after an introductory period, maximizing career alignment.
- Herzog provides a comprehensive internal training program alongside social and wellness activities for interns.
Contrary to potential nostalgia for past eras, new cohorts of interns and junior lawyers are not only maintaining but enhancing professional standards, according to Advocate Ariel Yosefi. He asserts that each new group of interns brings a fresh set of contemporary professional skills that benefit the entire firm. Yosefi, speaking on behalf of the Herzog law firm, stated that there is no perceived decline in the quality of new legal professionals. He highlighted their maturity, professional independence, proficiency with advanced technology, experience gained from significant national service, and diverse cultural backgrounds as key indicators of their high caliber.
The Herzog firm actively recruits excellent candidates, generally favoring university graduates due to their more rigorous admission standards, which often correlate with higher success rates. However, the firm also welcomes outstanding college graduates who demonstrate academic and professional excellence. Yosefi noted that while a year-and-a-half internship model was briefly piloted before the war, it presented asymmetries in recruitment cycles and needs. The firm has found that a one-year internship is sufficient for interns to perform significant work and for the firm to assess their suitability for future roles.
Interns at Herzog are integrated into specific departments or teams from day one, gaining deep exposure to legal issues and client interaction. Unlike some firms that assign interns to specific departments during the hiring process, Herzog allows interns to choose their specialization after an introductory period, maximizing their alignment with their interests. The firm also provides a comprehensive internal training program, including lectures on topics not covered in academia, alongside social, team-building, and wellness events.
Regarding the bar exam, Yosefi acknowledged it as a significant, though not sole, indicator of a candidate's professional level, noting that its difficulty varies annually. The firm offers positions to interns who demonstrate exceptional performance and suitability during their internship, regardless of the exam's specific difficulty in a given year. He also commented on the high number of lawyers in Israel, stating that while it increases the pool of potential interns, it also leads to a significant number of individuals leaving the profession. For Herzog, this dynamic allows them to attract a strong professional tier, making the overall number of lawyers less impactful on their recruitment strategy.
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