The road to becoming a lawyer isn’t an easy one. Arduous assignments, rigorous testing, and studying in law school help prepare aspiring lawyers for what they will encounter once they graduate and begin practising law; however, as well as working hard, there are many other qualities a good lawyer must possess in order to be successful in their field. We will examine a few of the top characteristics and skills that excellent lawyers have in common.
Knowledge of the law: While this first one may seem obvious, having a deep knowledge of the law in your area of practice is vital. Many attorneys specialise in personal injury, education, or corporate law, and they must be experts in those areas in order to ensure they understand and can interpret the law to help their clients. Star lawyers are experts in their area of practice.
Communication skills: This may immediately bring to mind how a lawyer speaks in court or cross-examines a witness on the stand. However, beyond having exceptional public speaking skills – which is an important aspect – writing ability is just as crucial. Many lawyers spend more time writing and crafting intelligent legal documents to advance their case than they do presenting oral arguments in a courtroom. Additionally, being a good listener is a communication skill, which is necessary to ensure no small detail is missed when writing a legal document or questioning a witness in court.
Research and analytical skills: Facts always decide the case, so lawyers must be willing to dig deep and research how to approach and interpret their case. Exceptional lawyers know how to research laws and regulations, use online resources, and work with investigators to strengthen their case. These investigative skills are paramount, but they must be paired with excellent analytical skills to accurately interpret the law – and ultimately win the case.
Possessing good judgement: The law can be very complicated, and it leaves a lot of room for interpretation and perspective. This can be a double-edged sword, as many lawyers may not consider how their argument may be perceived or its points of weaknesses. A star lawyer must carefully consider the approach of their argument and use discernment and sound judgement when delivering their statements.
Being creative: As previously mentioned, the law is open to interpretation at times. While creativity may not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a lawyer, it is an important aspect of the job. Since the law can be complicated and hard to comprehend for those not in the legal field, knowing how to creatively explain or offer a perspective that will resonate with the jury is key. Sometimes thinking outside the box will produce a solution that may not have been obvious from the start.
While this is not an exhaustive list of superior characteristics that star lawyers may possess, it does give insight into the field of law. It is an intricate and detailed field, but it is not an exact science. The top lawyers know when to push the envelope of creativity and employ lateral thinking – and when to focus on the facts and cite past cases that support their argument to achieve victory in the courtroom.