To get into the field of law and becoming a well-known lawyer, there are some skills which every aspiring lawyer should have or should try to build. Advocacy is a crucial profession and it is required for students who want to pursue this legal profession to know about and master these skills which will going to help them in every aspect of their legal professional lives. Apart from getting a degree, skills are the most important part of any student’s journey so that we can get efficient and productive lawyers.
Below are the list of Skills, which a law-aspirant needs to work upon:-
Communication
As today, we are aware of the importance of Communication skills in our lives, but keeping all other profession aside, in Legal profession, the most important soft skills for professionals is Communication.
Communication focusing on:-
- Fluency
- Clear
- Concise
- Persuasive
- Factual/ Logical
Also it’s not just about a one-way communication. Being a good listener is also very important simultaneously.
Writing Skills
In legal professions, having a good command on writing skills in equally important as lawyers need to create legal documents in various formats. Some of the legal documents are like Writ petitions, Court applications, Licensing Contracts and Power of attorney. Every lawyers needs to know the way of drafting these.
To master this skill, they must practice:-
- Understanding the Client
- Using suitable action words.
- Write persuasively using passive voice.
- Organized way of keeping draft
- Proper editing
Logical and Analytical abilities
Legal documents reviewing many times and analyzing their complexities, identifying the pain-points and focusing on reasoning processes is a must have skill. Lawyers need to have a very logical and factual ways of understanding things and temperament so then they will be able to handle the arguments wells and build a problem-solving capability.
Apart from being analytical Students need to focus on thinking creatively which helps in tackling complex cases. Logic, critical thinking and creative thinking all should go hand in hand.
Research ability
A core skill to become a lawyer is to have an ability to research properly also from a valid sources. For that they need to use proper citations, incorporate the techniques of statuary interpretations and studying the legal research database software and other credible sources available online.
Coherent Client Service
To handle client and being factual and logical, while dealing the client a lawyer must be empathetic towards them. Use a positive language and tone, draw inferences for actions, and knowing what your client wants from you and trying to adapt with their expectations keep their client content with their service. Imagine a doctor, how a good doctor build trust with you and you feel safe while taking his treatment. Likewise, Having patience, self-control and a kind of responsible approach is crucial for the student aspiring to become lawyer. This will help them in increasing their client base, which will be more reliable for other people to come to you and lead to a growth in their careers. As there a lot many cases which need to deal with sensitively.
Adapting the new Technology
Being flexible enough and changing with the change in time and following productive changes is not only good for lawyers but also for other professions. Indian legal landscape is making some changes because of the influence of technology and ultimately making it easier, transparent and portable.
For an instance, there are some universities which enabled their students with legal practice related software applications. Which is helping students in becoming skilled in legal research, Litigation support software, document management systems and electronic delivery processes.
Knowledge about the Law and legal processes
The knowledge about legal proceedings, acts and laws are important for students who want to become professional lawyers. Clients like going to such lawyers with proper understanding of the subject and they are more trustable and credible. Have a good understanding and knowledge about the expected work.
Apart from having proper knowledge lawyers needs to have a very good focus and attention span and a habit of putting attention on small things is important.
Law doesn’t allow you to do a minute mistake. Any mistake can lead to a very unfortunate result. Being Accurate in reading and understanding, Spot the inaccuracies and mistakes, recalling facts are some important skills for lawyers.
Organized
Lawyers needs to be good at managing various documents and data. Being organized means having a great deal of managerial abilities in your field. Filter out the unrelated information with a well-structural data catalogue. That’s why today many lawyers shifted to use some technology applications and it helps to manage their case filed efficiently and effectively.
Apart from being organized in such work, being organized with the time is also important. Lawyers needs to know how to manage their time well. As they need to manage deadlines, manage court hearings and legal calendars. Focusing on ways like setting priority and the art of delegation plays a good role in this profession.
Working well under pressure
Lawyers needs to go through a lot of pressures. Apart from having just a job-pressure being a lawyer is something which holds a lot of responsibility too as you are the protector of justice. Working under high pressure situation should be your habit. Managing high work-load with patience and focus is a tough job to do. The resilience is tested every day. Some cases will be more complex and meeting deadlines.
This skill can’t be learnt very quickly but with time and experience it will be tested and built. With the time you will get to know the art of being calm and composed even on tough situations.
- Negotiations: – In legal practice career, Negotiation is also an important skill. This shapes our outcomes, resolving the conflicts and advances the client’s interest too. The art of Negotiation is vast. And this include pillars like:-
- Active listening: – Focus on hearing while understanding, processing and empathizing with your client’s perspective.
- Problem-Solving Ability: – Be creative, analyze the problem well, think smart and come to a good conclusion and win- win outcomes.
- Flexible and adaptable: – Be open to perspectives and flexible enough to adjust your approach on the basis on new information and changing conditions.
- Building Trust: – Lead a cooperative environment. Trust helps in negotiations where there is more security in sharing expectations.
- Emotional intelligence: – EQ is one of the most important soft skill where an individual not only recognize, understand and manage their own emotions but also the other person’s emotions. With this skill you can negotiate smoothly.
These are some of the most important skills which students who wish to become legal professionals need to know about. This profession is not only powerful but also affect and impact people, so consider it a responsible profession is important for students. Also knowing about ethics in Legal profession and maintaining them is crucial to become a good, successful and respected lawyer.