qualities of a good lawyer

Your choice to become a lawyer was probably one of the biggest choices of your life.

As a lawyer, you help people who are going through a difficult time or have a big decision to make.

You are part of defending laws that are the foundation of the U.S. legal system and influencing growing and emerging legal trends. So what qualities does a successful lawyer of the future require? 

A lawyer must connect with their clients and their case, and they must be able to communicate their arguments clearly and effectively.

The following list explains good qualities in a lawyer.

Writing Skills

Lawyers write a lot. They write memos, briefs, and court motions. So a lawyer must be able to write clearly and understandably. Their writings need to have sound legal reasoning.

Lawyers must know how to paint the facts and law most favorably for their clients. A lawyer’s writing should also be free of spelling and grammatical errors. Any such errors would diminish their credibility.

Organization

No matter the job, one should always be organized. The legal profession is no different. Lawyers deal with many papers, files, and other types of evidence daily.

All this needs to be kept in a specific place. This ensures easy access and prevents unwanted persons from accessing confidential information.

Being organized is the key to keeping appointments and court dates.

Analytical Mind

Having an analytical mind is one of the skills needed to be a lawyer. From case facts to the law, lawyers process a lot of information.

Lawyers need to take the facts of the case and correctly identify the law it affects. They then need to apply the law to their client’s case.

They must create a strategy from the information to help their client achieve a favorable outcome.

Compassion and Understanding

Often a client is having a bad day when they go to a lawyer. A lawyer can’t judge a client or criticize a client’s choices. Part of a lawyer’s job is to make their client feel comfortable.

To do this, they must be kind and compassionate. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can help a client feel better.

Confidence

A lawyer needs to be comfortable in their own skin. They need to have faith in their abilities and knowledge as a lawyer. It can be challenging for a client to trust a lawyer who has no confidence.

It can also be easy for opposing counsel to feel empowered by a lawyer who has no confidence. And if a lawyer has no confidence,  a jury won’t be persuaded by anything they say.

Negotiation Skills

Of all the good qualities in a lawyer, one of the most important is having strong negotiation skills.

Most cases do not go to trial. They are settled between the parties through negotiation. Thus, a lawyer must have excellent negotiation skills.

A lawyer has to ask questions like:

  • What is most important for their client?
  • What does the other side want? 
  • What is the other side willing to let go of? 

Identifying this information lets a lawyer negotiate and compromise with the other side.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are an essential asset for a lawyer. A lawyer must be able to argue their client’s case before a judge, jury, or the opposing side.

A good lawyer can articulate their argument clearly, effectively, and persuasively. Good communication skills usually involve good public speaking and good analytical skills.

Listening Skills

Good communication is only one side of the equation. A good lawyer must also be a good listener. Clients seek lawyers out when they are going through a difficult time or making an important decision.

A lawyer should listen to the client’s fears and concerns, so they can devise an effective solution to the client’s problem. 

A lawyer must also have good listening skills when interviewing witnesses or talking to opposing parties. A lawyer needs to be able to listen and identify:

  • What is the client saying?
  • What aren’t they saying?
  • What did they accidentally say?

Good listening skills are the difference between a good lawyer and a not-so-good lawyer.

Professionalism

A good lawyer will have a reputation for professionally handling themselves. Not everything will go perfectly all the time.

A lawyer must be respectful through the bad as much as the good. A good lawyer controls their temper, acts courteously, and is always patient.

Contact Us to Rent Office Space from Mesilla Legal Center

At Mesilla Legal Center, we offer high-tech office space to rent. Whether you are a local attorney or an out-of-state attorney, we have a space for you to conduct your business meetings.

Our amenities include:

  • Free high-speed internet,
  • Teleconferencing,
  • Speaker phones,
  • Webcams, and
  • On-site parking.

And if you need any help, our friendly reception staff can assist you. Book your space now by contacting Mesilla Legal Center.

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