An interview with ATTY. GIOVANNI C. OFENDA, Public Attorneys Office (PAO) of San Pablo, Laguna.

1. Is it advisable for a new lawyer to work as an apprentice or assistant or to have his/her own law office?

ANSWER:

It is not only advisable but imperative for a new lawyer to join other experienced lawyers at the start of their career. There is no such thing as expert lawyer under the rooster of new bar passers. This rule applies regardless of the scholastic record or bar exams standing of the new lawyer or the school where he/she came from. However, there is such thing as seasoned lawyer. It is from seasoned lawyers that you least vast part of practice of the profession. There is still an exception. A new lawyer may go his own way and not to start as apprentice if he will indulge into the academe and not involve himself to trial practice. This is so because a lawyer who is an expert in theory may not be similarly expert in trial. There are rules of court which are neither learned inside the law school nor provided in the Rules enacted by the Supreme Court. These rules of court are learned as you indulge and go deeper into trial practice. Thus, to have somebody from whom you ask for advices and pointers whenever appearing in court trial is a must. Unless, again such new lawyer has a mentor whom he need not work in the same firm.

2. What are the qualities of a successful trial lawyer?

ANSWER:

The qualities of a successful lawyer depends on the particular field that he has engaged himself. For as long as he can practice his profession in full and without fear or favour, then he can be considered as successful in his own way/perspective. Practice of profession for this purpose must be understood in line with the definition rendered in the case of Cayetano vs. Monsod. To some, success is quantified through economic capacity in relation to practice of profession. However, money should only be treated as an incident or reward for good practice. it must not be the gauge of success.

3. Is private practice financially rewarding?

ANSWER:

Private practice may be financially rewarding. However, private practice does not guarantee fountain of wealth. There are lawyers who are in private practice but economically challenged.

4. I joining the Pubic Attorneys Office (PAO) or the Prosecutors Office a good option in starting a new career?

ANSWER:

Joining the Public Attorneys Office or the national prosecution service is understandably a good choice to start ones career as a lawyer. Such new lawyer will be able to hone his/her skills if he is part of said offices. This is simply because they are bombarded with numerous and different kinds of cases. These type of lawyers are obliged to win battles based on methods that they have to define and discover themselves.

5. Which is better - to practice law in the province or in Metro Manila?

ANSWER:

It doesnt matter. Success in practice of law profession is not confined in one place. Whether practice is focused within or without Metro Manila does not guarantee good play. Success in law practice depends on the person and not the place.

Atty. Giovanni C. OfendaPAO, San Pablo Laguna