Oleh Valendiuk, Managing Partner of Benchers Law Firm, shared his views on the transformation of a lawyer on the way from civil service to private legal business at the IX International Forum for Promotion of Legal Services (PLS-2021). Mr. Valendyuk noted that the important thing is to make well-considered and conscious choices.

Mr. Valendiuk noted that the important thing is to make well-considered and conscious choices.

The speaker mentioned the following challenges incurred in the transition from civil service to a private business:

◾️getting out of the comfort zone (it is necessary to have a clear-cut motivation, be aware of the adaptation problems and have a method to arrange the transition process);

◾️be ready to adjust the worldview, legal views and psychology;

◾️change attitudes towards potential clients and other lawyers.

“After years of work in law enforcement agencies, many of my colleagues became prone to prosecutorial bias in law enforcement. The first step to adapt to the new environment is to eliminate this imbalance,” said Oleh Valendiuk.

Thanks to all the speakers and participants for the discussion, and to the organizers for such an excellent event.