In contrast to commercial law, where partners handle acquisition and business operations are organized centrally, social lawyers are responsible for their own business operations. This means they must not only apply their legal expertise but also develop knowledge in finance, administration, and laws and regulations to keep their practice running. Many social lawyers start as self-employed individuals without employees, which makes the entrepreneurial aspect even more complex. This leads to questions such as: who is your target audience? Do you work exclusively on addition, or do you also take on commercial cases? How do you organize your administration and what legislation must you comply with?

Due to a grant from Stichting Allemansrecht, the masterclass was organized for a small fee from participants, making the course attractive to students who have not yet started their careers as social lawyers. With valuable insights and practical tools, beginner social lawyers are given a better start as entrepreneurs. Sil van den Hoven, a student at UvA, shares his experiences from the masterclass.

"The visibility of social advocacy really needs to be increased"

Van den Hoven reflects enthusiastically on his participation: “I received practical tips, especially regarding the financial aspects of the profession. What I found particularly interesting was that we could see, per legal field, how many cases you need to handle to make ends meet and what the income looks like,” says Van den Hoven. He emphasizes that many students have a skewed perception of the financial possibilities within social advocacy. “The prevailing idea is that it’s difficult to make a living as a social lawyer, but that’s not necessarily true. If you approach it correctly, you can earn a good income.”

Van den Hoven notices that there is often a lack of interest in social advocacy among his fellow students. “Many of my classmates are interested in commercial law or other areas of law.” It is crucial to raise awareness, especially among law students. "The visibility of social advocacy really needs to be increased."

The importance of social advocacy and the need for support

Social advocacy is crucial for access to justice for many citizens. However, social lawyers are increasingly facing budget cuts and high workloads. Many lawyers starting as self-employed end up quitting due to the overwhelming pressure and the heavy workload. Rising starting salaries and government budget cuts do not contribute to an attractive working environment.

Van der Hoven points out that the first steps toward self-employment are often confusing due to the many regulations set by the Dutch Bar Association. “It’s a challenge to find your way as a beginner social lawyer in the legal and administrative landscape. There’s a lot of legislation you must deal with right from the start. You really need a sparring partner, a colleague with experience who can answer questions like: what’s involved in entrepreneurship in the legal profession? What are the pros and cons of self-employment?”

The emotional burden should also not be underestimated. Social lawyers often work with vulnerable clients, and there are always cases that linger. Therefore, a safety net of like-minded individuals and colleagues is just as important as acquiring clients. “Your strength as a social lawyer is ownership, but that can also be the pitfall. You shouldn't try to do it all on your own. Brainstorming with others is essential. And it’s important to know that you’re not alone in facing these challenges,” says Van den Hoven.

Core characteristic of social lawyers

Van der Hoven views the social lawyer as a highly socially engaged professional. “It’s not the job that makes you a millionaire, but it is work that truly means something for society. It’s also a profession that intellectually challenges you. As a social lawyer, you must be able to make tough decisions, both legally and personally.”

“Engagement is absolutely the most important characteristic. The profession requires people who want to dedicate themselves to others, who prioritize the client’s interests, and who are not afraid to take on difficult situations. Additionally, it’s important that as a social lawyer, you’re able to find the balance between professional detachment and empathy.”