1: Listening:
An attorney should high level of listening skills. He or she has to listen to clients, suspects, judge and the rival attorney. A person who does not appreciate the importance of listening is more likely to fail in professional career as an attorney. It is also important to understand that listening is not only about keeping quiet when others are speaking. Instead, a lawyer or an attorney should be able to actively listen to others and make appropriate conclusions.2: Speaking:
Listening is only half the story. A good attorney must also have the ability to effectively speak and convince others. No one can be a good lawyer until and unless he or she has shown good speaking skills. Making compelling arguments, giving logical remarks and bringing necessary level of emotions in discussion, are all part of the jobs of an attorney.
3: Problem solving skills:
Each individual legal case presents a specific problem. It does not matter if you are fighting to save someone’s property or life or you are fighting to prove others guilty, there is always a specific problem and you must be able to find a useful solution to this problem. The problem solving skill should also be complemented by critical thinking and analytical approach. In the absence of these skills, most problems are unlikely to be solved effectively.
For some people problem solving is natural. For others it may not be the case. You can considerably improve your ability to solve problems if you follow the right approach and practice it. Whenever you hear about any problem in general life, consider it as yours. Try to consider each and every possible aspect of the problem. Critically analyze these aspects and try to present a logical and rational solution.
4: Reading Comprehension:
You must be aware of the fact that as an attorney, you will be expected to read thousands of pages on weekly basis. You will have to take complex cases and win them in order to make your name in the market. The general rule is that the more complex a case is, the more you will have to research and study. At times, you will have to read hundreds of old cases.
In other times, you may have to read tens of books on any particular matter. While reading hundreds or thousands of pages may be a challenge in itself for some people, the real challenge is to have the ability to comprehend the read knowledge and information.
Closely related to it is the ability to research. Research may be internet based or it may require legwork. The thing is that you must have the ability to understand your needs and research accordingly.
5: Negotiation:
It is highly unlikely that you will be winning at all the times. A good attorney is always a good negotiator. You must possess the ability to negotiate effectively in order to provide maximum benefits to your clients. Try your best to adopt this trait and practice it as much as you can if you have to become a good attorney.
Above were some of the most important traits which a good attorney should have. We hope that you already have all or most of these qualities. However, there is nothing to worry about as these qualities can be developed with practice. If you are determined to see yourself becoming a successful attorney, then you will have to make deliberate efforts and embed these qualities in your personality.
