With any career, there are certain skills needed to achieve true success. However, this is especially true for lawyers.
Law is, without question, a demanding career path. And with the average cost of a law degree being as much as $60,000 per year for a top-notch education, you need to be sure that you have what it takes before you begin.
But what makes a good lawyer? What skills should you hone to perfection in order to have a thriving career in law?
If you find yourself asking these questions, you’re in the right place! Listed below are 5 skills that the best lawyers possess.
1. Communication
To excel in law, you need to have communication skills. You must be able to communicate effectively both in speech and in writing.
More specifically, your public speaking skills should be outstanding. It’s one thing to speak well with people you know, but speaking in front of a courtroom full of strangers is something different entirely. Likewise, it’s also important to develop your executive presence as this constitutes many aspects such as how you act, look, and sound that projects your confidence and competence and sets you apart from the crowd
2. Persuasion
While in court, your job will be to convince a judge or jury of your client’s position. This is where persuasiveness comes in. You need to be skilled in the art of swaying people to your way of thinking.
Lawyers essentially debate for a living and the key to any discussion is to have good points and communicate them well.
3. Negotiation
Any highly reviewed lawyer will have excellent negotiation skills. There will come a time when things aren’t going your way in the courtroom and you will need to negotiate the best terms possible for your client.
Or maybe you’re trying to help your client avoid the courtroom entirely. Either way, negotiating with others is a major portion of any lawyer’s regular tasks.
4. Organization
As a lawyer, you will be juggling a thousand things at once at all times. From paperwork to meetings to interviews, there will always be multiple things on your plate.
Because of this, it’s imperative that you’re organized. The last thing you want is to make your clients lose confidence in you because you’re all over the place.
5. Persistence
When you’re fighting for your clients, you must have a never give up attitude. You have to be able to keep going until the very end, no matter the circumstances, which makes persistence a vital trait.
Yes, you will fail or lose every now and then. But you’ll need to take it all in stride and project confidence and strength, both to your clients and your opponents, as often as you can.
Learn What Makes a Good Lawyer to Advance in Your Career
Now that you know what makes a good lawyer, you can hone the necessary skills to become the best you can be. By taking the time and effort to improve yourself, you’re much more likely to reach new heights in your career.
Communication is key and should be tackled first. You cannot become an accomplished lawyer without this ability. Once you’re a master communicator, it’s time to move on to the finer points of debate.
Looking for more tips on getting ahead in your chosen profession? Be sure to take a look at our blog!
