It is no secret that the legal field is over-saturated. This is why it is so important for attorneys to ensure that they stand out from the crowd.
It is imperative that an attorney equips herself/himself with certain skills to build a reputation as formidable in her/his field.
These skills, however basic, will serve an attorney well over the duration of their career. These skills will contribute to a successful career as an attorney but are also transferable to other professions.
There are 9 essential skills an attorney should possess to thrive:
1. Clear and logical thinking: Attorneys need to be able to clearly differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information and be able to logically arrange and structure the information provided.
2. Clear and concise writing: An attorney is only as good as her/his writing skills as 90% of the information they have to convey takes a written format, be it pleadings or letters to opposing counsel.
3. Attention to detail: The devil is in the details. As an attorney, it is imperative that you not only read and write with purpose but also ensure that it is extremely detailed.
4. Dealing with stress and difficult people: It is no secret that working as an attorney is one of the most stressful and fast-paced professions. As such it is extremely important that they put mechanisms in place to ensure that they can deal with the demands placed on them. This can range from diary systems to weekly updates and delegating day-to-day functions to legal support staff.
5. Work ethic: Hard work always pays off, and there is no shortcut in this regard. If you want to achieve success in the legal field it will require long hours at the office, research, networking, and elbow grease.
6. Problem-solving ability: 99% of an attorney’s job is to find amicable solutions to their client’s problems. It, therefore, requires great clarity and problem-solving abilities on the side of the attorney to identify the issue and create the most satisfying solution.
7. Research skills: This is something that no good attorney can go without. In order to provide the best advice and litigation strategy, an attorney must be able to plumage through vast pieces of information to forge a clear path forward.
8. Public speaking: It is no secret that attorneys need to be able to communicate effectively and this involves public speaking. Whether it is appearing in court or arbitration, you need to be able to talk confidently in front of crowds.
9. Working in a team: No man is an island, and the same can be said for attorneys. It is important to be able to work well with others, whether you are part of a team or a sole practitioner, there will always be someone to report to or manage and being an effective leader and team player will all but ensure success in your field.
You may already possess some or all of these skills and if you do not, there is room for improvement. The Gawie le Roux Institute of Law offers various courses, workshops, and webinars aimed at improving the professional conduct and productivity of attorneys, candidate attorneys, and legal support staff working in law firms.
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