On becoming a lawyer again
It was not in my plan. When I migrated to New Zealand in 2005, I knew that I would no longer make use of my licenses as a Certified Public Accountant and a lawyer though I am a lifetime member of both the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Both licenses are not recognized in New Zealand.
After a stint in the High Court of New Zealand, I availed of a student loan so I could become a lawyer. Good that the New Zealand Law Society acknowledged both my legal education as well as experience as a lawyer in the Philippines, that all I needed was complete papers in six core subjects or sit down in examinations. I preferred the former, enrolling in the University of Waikato-Faculty of Law.
The entire school year in 2016, I became a full-time student. I thought I’d be the oldest in the class consisting of about 100 students, but then about one-fourth were as mature as I was. Forewarned that passing the subjects would be difficult, I resided in the library when I did not have classes. There were no class recitations as professors lectured almost uninterrupted with slides projected on large screens.
Examinations were announced in advance and grades released promptly. One good thing was that each subject had assigned tutors who reviewed the lectures and mentored attendees on how to answer examination questions. For my part, I formed a study group with each member assigned to master a topic and lecture among us.
Having taught for more than 25 years back in Cebu, I found student life both fascinating and challenging. When I learned that I hurdled all the subjects, it felt like passing the CPA Licensure Exam and the Bar Exam all over again.
What happened next was tricky. After I took my oath in the High Court as an enrolled barrister solicitor, I could not practice law on my own. The only way to secure a practicing certificate was to work in a law firm.
According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in its Occupation Outlook: “With a very large number of law students graduating each year, and a limited number of entry-level lawyer positions, it is difficult for a new graduate to get work as a lawyer. Many recent graduates are getting jobs in other industries instead.”
I experienced that first hand but with enough perseverance and prayers, I was hired as solicitor by Nolan & Lu Lawyers in Hamilton where I reside. Two days after I turned 62 years old, I was a lawyer again, having been issued a Practicing Certificate as Barrister and Solicitor on Nov. 8. So here I am ready for a new challenge.