A firm grasp of the law and a knack to persuade an audience might seem like the perfect recipe for a successful lawyer. However, the profession has evolved through the decades. And today, if you want to rise in your career, you need more than a couple of traits to give you the boost.
When you take on a new client, you have to make them feel important without making false promises. As such, being a lawyer can be tricky – to find the right balance between humanity and the stress behind the job.
Apart from the knowledge of the law and legal procedures, here are some intellectual qualities that can help you with your career.
Communication Skills
Before you even check if you should go to law school, you would already know the importance of oral communication in the legal profession. Having evidence on your side will not suffice if you are not able to present it clearly, concisely, and logically to others. In order to be able to advocate your position, you will need a flair for the words.
That said, you should not overlook the significance of written communication as well. From composing simple correspondence to drafting complex legal documents, you need a good command of the language as well as the terminologies.
Reasoning Skills
It goes without saying that analytical and logical reasoning is one of the core skills that every lawyer needs. When you are processing information, these will help you draw inferences and make connections.
Alongside, you will also have to hone the problem-solving and organizational abilities that will allow you to evaluate cases.
Legal Research
When you have already established your career, you might have associates or paralegals who can get the research work done for you. However, until then and after, having strong research skills can always come to your aid. In fact, your legal research skills can play a significant role in the success of your advocacy.
Mastering research techniques can be highly beneficial when you need to locate legal authority and to do proper legal citation.
Technological Skills
Like any other sector, the legal industry has also been integrating technology into its procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced legal firms to rely on software that could make their profession more manageable. From virtual notaries to video calls to time management, you can no longer go old-school when practicing law.
If you are an aspiring student, make sure that you update yourself with the technological developments related to the legal industry.
Client Services
Many lawyers tend to overlook the importance of giving your dealing with clients. As a customer-centric industry, how you manage your communication with clients can easily dictate your professional growth. As such, you need to work in client development and service skills that will make them have confidence in your abilities as a lawyer.
TeamWork
It is rare that lawyers work as a one-man army. More often than not, you will be working with co-counsel, consultants, and support staff. If you think your interpersonal skills are lacking when it comes to teamwork, it is necessary that you address it right away,
Cultivating positive relationships with colleagues and clients can pave the way for your success. If you want to be an honest and competent lawyer, you will have to work on all these skills. At first look, it might seem like a lot. But you will note that all of their traits go hand-in-hand and can easily contribute to your proficiency.