Why choose law?

Law is a popular career choice, and for good reason. It’s stimulating, complex, and constantly changing, and it can also come with an attractive remuneration package. Law affects all areas of life, from the moment we are born, and lawyers are the persons qualified to give legal advice in one or more area of the law. As law covers virtually all areas of society, there are numerous opportunities for specialisation and career progression in the legal sector.

See: Legal Jobs in Malta

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Legal Job Opportunities in Malta

Studying law is no walk in the park. It takes on average five to six years to graduate from a course which is renowned to be exceptionally intense with the added requirement for graduates to obtain a warrant in order to embark on their professional career. In spite of these challenges, law definitely provides for a vibrant career which allows for specialisation in an area of law that you are passionate about. It brings with it a huge amount of personal satisfaction, and puts you in a state of continuous learning, thanks to the uniqueness of each case you’ll handle and the constant amendments to legislation that you will need to keep up-to-date with. It also comes with attractive remuneration packages with starting salaries in Malta typically hovering around the €15,000-€20,000 mark.

Practicing lawyers typically divide their time between research and preparation, meetings with current and potential clients, drafting of letters, contracts and other legal documentation, liaising with government bodies and court sittings.

Skills Needed:

Generally, lawyers must demonstrate:

  • Acute listening skills
  • The ability to getting their points across accurately and concisely
  • The ability to establish trust with clients
  • A keen eye for detail and reading between the lines
  • Excellent negotiation skills
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Flexibility and openness to new ideas
  • Utmost respect for confidentiality

Below are some of the most common legal roles in Malta:

Corporate Lawyers

Corporate lawyers are typically responsible for providing corporate advice and consultancy services to the businesses, including the setup and maintenance of companies. This includes preparing constitutive documents as well as ensure ongoing compliance with the relevant local and European laws and regulations. It develops further into a more advisory role on corporate structuring and restructuring, re-domiciliation and passporting, liquidations, mergers and acquisitions together with the constant liaison with clients, banks, legal and tax advisors, the regulatory authorities of the country and other jurisdictions. Corporate lawyers are also regularly entrusted with reviewing and drafting of contracts and all other aspects of commercial law.

Corporate lawyers must be diligent, motivated and have excellent analytical skills, and must demonstrate strong leadership qualities. They must also be excellent communicators and have a natural aptitude for dealing with clients.

Financial Services Lawyers

Financial Services Lawyers are responsible for assisting and advising clients operating in the financial services sector. This includes advice on the obtainment of licenses from regulatory authorities, assisting in compiling of the required documentation, drafting up of agreements and providing ongoing advice and support on regulatory affairs and anti-money laundering compliance procedures.

Financial services lawyers must be capable of working under pressure, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a keen interest in developing within the area of financial services, including mergers and acquisitions. Excellent compliance skills are essential for development within this area.

Maritime Lawyers

Maritime lawyers are responsible for completing vessel registrations, mortgages financing and re-financing procedures and documentation, annual vessel maintenance with the authorities as well as deletions of vessels. In certain maritime lawyer roles, you might be involved in handling a variety of maritime claims, including hijacking, salvage, arrest and towage claims. Within the maritime field, a constant liaison with counterparties with the aim of settling disputes or obtaining the required documentation and information is essential.

Maritime lawyers are required to be assertive, and communicate clearly across different levels and different parties. They must be organised, efficient and have an eye for detail, as well as being able to think in a flexible manner and enjoy a hands-on approach to work.

Opportunities for Career Progression

Career progression within the legal field is largely dependant on the individuals concerned. Hard work, dedication and commitment are key factors in ensuring steady growth in responsibilities, exposure and, of course, remuneration.

Although there are no fixed time lines in terms of progression, they are clear indicators depending on the sector, company or law firm. Typically within a law firm, you will start out as a trainee lawyer following which, upon completion of the law course and the warrant, you should progress to junior associate or junior lawyer. After 1 to 2 years in this role, you would probably have enough experience to be within the associate rank. A further 3 to 4 years will see you progressing to senior associate. Partner level or of counsel would typically be the next step, following however a good 5 to 7 years as a senior associate.

A law firm is however not the only option available for lawyers, contrary to popular opinion. With Corporate Services Providers mushrooming on every corner and the constantly updated legislation in their regard, opportunities are endless in this field. Additionally, financial services institutions as well as other large companies operating within different industries would require in house counsel to join their legal departments.

In all the above scenarios, rather than a question of title, the responsibilities would be what would make the difference and provide additional challenges. More senior roles would see you being more active in compliance matters up to MLRO, company secretary roles, managing the legal team and assisting the company from a strategic perspective with the added advantage of legal knowledge to assist you in driving the business forward.

KONNEKT offers a number of legal jobs in Malta. Apply directly for one of our legal roles, or get in touch with us by email on careers@konnekt.com