sikeveo said:
I dont mean to be racist, but with law being so hard to get into (i.e uais are high), and heaps of asians/curries getting in, I never see them around the courts in the city? Do they pursue jobs elsewhere or are they still in uni (i.e this trend hasnt been for long) ??
Sorry if the answer is really obvious.
A recent phenomenon
I think that it is a combination of factors but the main reason is, as you suggest, because the trend hasn't been going on for that long. The universities are spitting out a lot of asian graduates nowadays so the numbers of asian barristers should be significantly higher in about 15 years.
Familiarity with English
However another factor is that a lot of asian graduates, primarily because they are not as comfortable with the English language, may not be as suited to becoming barristers. Those taking on jobs in the legal profession tend to become solicitors in firms. The president of the UNSW Law Society, for example, is a guy who is extremely hard working, determined and capable - and will go on to work in a huge law firm. But comparatively, he has poor grammar and English, and speaks with a thick Honkie accent. Not exactly the ideal picture of a barrister one might have in mind.
Interest
Additionally, from my own observations, the proportion of asian law students who are not very interested in the law (and becoming a lawyer) are quite high in relation to others. (This ratio might be said to be threefold when you restrict it asian Com/Law students.)
Character and culture
Also, the number of asian law students who fit the typical 'advocate' mould - that is, a good speaker, adroit with language, etc - is quite low. Though I would imagine that the extent to which this is interest is outweighed by the extent to which it is personal character, it undoubtedly stems from a number of factors - background, conditioning, etc.
I cannot speak for all those who are asian but my guess is that there may be an element of upbringing involved in some situations. I was quite a loudmouth and very bossy when I was a child but I'm not sure if this would be appreciated (read: tolerated) as much in particular cultures. Considering the ability and love of arguing is a defining feature of barristers, cultures not as receptive to debating or questioning authority, particularly parental authority, may be a factor.
The old boys club
As you probably are aware, law used to be a very 'elite' profession, and it sort of still is, but the superficialities have been reduced on the employers' part. That is, one stood a far better chance if they were a white, anglo-saxon male with good connections, and with respectable schooling. Of course nowadays employers are concerned with a great range of factors, including university marks, personal skills, etc. But I mean, the idea of there being asian barristers 50 years ago would be laughable to the legal profession in those days.
Thankfully, though there may be residue in some corners, in regard to lawyers these days I think that this is no longer really a pressing issue. (Besides, some might say that the law firms won't have that much choice sooner or later.)
A caveat
Don't get me wrong, there are a number of great asian law students who are good orators and who are interested in becoming advocates. It's just that, due to the aforementioned reasons, that number is relatively small at the present time.
