The best approach is to try to become an “autonomous learner”, that is, a professional able and willing to proactively take charge of his or her own language development. Just as we are ultimately our own career managers, we are also responsible for developing our own language skills. When it comes to working in English, every Dutch lawyer has a… Read more
When newly minted Dutch lawyers work in English, there is a tension between two opposing factors. On the one hand, making mistakes (and being willing to make mistakes) is essential to learning. But on the other hand, law firms and clients do not easily accept that lawyers make mistakes, especially when the lawyers bill out their time at such high… Read more
The time pressures on a busy lawyer are enormous. But when it comes to working in English, these time pressures will affect the quality of your work. Try to find the time. There is no choice but to slow down and become more careful when practising law in English. It is frustrating at the start, but your speed will improve… Read more
Which category do you belong in? The Crawlers. Some Dutch lawyers are only occasionally faced with the task of doing something in English. For the lawyers in this group, their skills are not really up to it. They do not work in English at all or do so only rarely. Lawyers in this group have a very small comfort zone… Read more