Legal Tips

8 Skills Every Attorney Must Have

Although the practice of law can be practiced in different areas, whether private practice, government agency, human resources, or as a corporate lawyer, there are countless legal skills that every lawyer must have and that will help you to perform successfully.

legal skills

Good oral communication

Language is one of the most fundamental tools for any lawyer, who must communicate persuasively, explain his position in court, to a client or other lawyers in a clear, concise and logical way. In addition, it must be able to represent and advocate for a cause eloquently and dominate the legal terminology. He must also have good ability to listen and react to what he listens in a coherent way.

Good written communication

To write documents as simple as letters to more complex documents, such as motions, writing is an integral function of any legal position. Law professionals must have to: master the writing style, master the fundamentals of grammar, learn how to write in an organized and persuasive manner, and write legal documents such as motions, memorandums, resolutions and legal agreements that are effective.

Customer Service

Private legal practice is undoubtedly focused on meeting and satisfying the needs of clients. That’s why Law professionals must have customer service skills, good communication with their clients and ability to attract new clients.

Logical and Analytical Reasoning

Law professionals must learn to summarize and assimilate large volumes of complex information efficiently and effectively. Analytical and logical reasoning includes: reviewing complex documents, drawing inferences, and making connections between legal authorities; develop logical reasoning and ability to organize and solve problems, structure and evaluate arguments; and finally, to use inductive and deductive reasoning to make inferences and reach conclusions.

Legal Investigation

Lawyers should investigate legal concepts, jurisprudence, judicial opinions, regulations and other important legal information. That is why lawyers must master the investigative skills, learn how to locate and synthesize legal authorities, master the interpretation of statutes, learn how to cite and master digital legal research resources.

Technology

One of the professions that have the more impact received through the technology is the legal profession. In order to be effective in their profession, lawyers must master the word-processing programs, time-management applications, billing and applications required by the Judicial Branch. They must also handle communication technologies such as video conferencing, voice message systems and become familiar with the discovery of electronic evidence and the handling of digital documents.

Substantive knowledge of the law and the legal procedure

All legal professionals must have a basic knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure. Legal professionals must have general knowledge of the local, state and federal court system, relevant deadlines for filing documents, fundamental principles of law in the practice areas in which they work, and all relevant terminology.

Time management

The legal profession has a business model that strictly links productivity with financial gain. Lawyers have the strong and constant pressure to handle large amounts of work and bill for it. That’s why they must develop the ability to handle several tasks at once, a strong sense of ethics, the ability to handle delivery dates, and organizational and scheduling skills.