Having the right lawyer beside you is something that makes the biggest difference when it comes to winning cases – and one that must not be taken lightly. Regardless of what your purpose is – whether you want to set up a business, want a tough case settled, or are looking for sound legal guidance, you need an attorney that is nothing short of exceptional.
As a layperson, however, how would one know what that means? Below, we have listed the ten traits to look for in a competent lawyer.
They Must Be Able To Communicate Well
Dealing with people daily is part of a day’s job for most attorneys. It is thus only paramount that an attorney who is great at their job has equally great communication skills. While being articulate in the courtroom is a major part of this, the definition of skills goes beyond it – encompassing active listening and communicating with court officials, the opposing party and of course, clients.
An attorney who is competent should have complete knowledge of all jargon, but must also be able to break them down and explain to their clients. This keeps clients from feeling alienated, helps them stay trustful of their legal representation, and also helps them get a full grasp of the situation at hand, their options and how different choices will ultimately dictate the outcome of the case.
Last but not least, good communication skills help with court and negotiatory proceedings. Lawyers who are seasoned at presenting their clients’ cases in a convincing manner, while simultaneously able to anticipate and counter potential arguments from the opposition are indeed invaluable.
They Must Have The Ability to Analyze
The world of law and legal proceedings is rarely a straight-forward one – lawyers must have razor-sharp analytical capabilities to successfully navigate them. From a big picture point-of-view, this entails the ability to look at a given situation via differing perspectives, and subsequently forming a strategy that helps gain a winning outcome.
A lawyer who is great at their job will be able to take into account large datasets and boil it down into its key points, then use the same to drive the strategy accordingly. They also need to be able to anticipate any legal roadblocks and stop them before they end up derailing the case for their client. Being able to execute all of this requires the complimentary skills of critical thinking and deductive reasoning.
Finally, being analytically strong allows lawyers to better gauge what their opposition can come up with. This allows them to be best prepared and less vulnerable to surprise problems.
They Must Be Ethical & Have Good Integrity
Being ethical and having integrity is essential in any area of life – and the legal world is no exception to this rule. Clients, who for the most part are laypersons with little-to-no idea of the law, need to be able to fully trust their legal representation – not just with their highly sensitive information but also with the faith that their lawyer will act to give them a better outcome, no matter what the circumstances.
Not only should a competent attorney have in-depth knowledge about all things legal, they should also understand ethics, and adhere to the guidelines in this regard. In a nutshell they must maintain full transparency about things like their fees and probable outcomes, and must be fully honest and sincere in their behavior.
A lawyer with Integrity will help create a strong relationship between the attorney and the client, which in turn will foster confidence and trust. Having one’s clients be fully assured of the fact that their lawyer will always work in their favor and maintain full confidentiality is an asset like no other.
They Must Be Tenacious But Also Be Able to Persevere
Anyone who has ever spent time in the legal world can say with confidence that procedures that take place here take time to say the least, and can be additionally complicated and challenging to say the most. In such circumstances, the attorney, being the main person who steers the boat, needs to be tenacious and have the capacity to persevere.
Any attorney worth their salt will always be dedicated to staying true to their client and their cause – no matter the circumstances. They might face setbacks, but they should be able to take them in their stride and hit back with new and improved strategies. Having such an attitude will go a long way in handling cases that tend to be more complicated, and require attorneys to maintain calm yet be able to keep working towards their goal.
They Must Be Understanding & Have Empathy For Their Clients
Having in-depth knowledge of injury law and peripheral skills are non-negotiable for any lawyer. That said, being a competent one also requires them to be able to understand and empathize with their clients. Matters of the law are often taxing and stressful, and having the attorney’s support makes a huge difference to the client.
A lawyer who has empathy for their clients will endeavor to grasp their unique personal situation, as well as the things that worry them. Besides legal counsel, they may also provide a safe space for clients by actively listening to their woes, thus creating an environment of support.
They Must Be Able To Think Strategically
An attorney is as good as their ability to think strategically. After all, being able to plan and execute a long-run strategy to protect one’s clients’ best interests is not something that comes without strategic thinking.
While focusing on the outcome at hand is a good place to start, a good attorney will never stop there. In fact, they will anticipate any potential future outcomes and make alternate plans to tackle them.
Last but not least, an attorney who can think strategically will be able to gauge what motivates their opposition and predict how they would move. This will allow them to outsmart their opponents and get their clients to the best-possible outcomes.
They Must Be Composed and Confident
An attorney worth their salt will always give off an aura of authentic confidence, which in turn will instill faith within their clients. Said confidence must be based on facts – namely, rigorous preparation and in-depth understanding – both of the case and of the law at large.
Displaying confidence also helps attorneys present in court with grace, negotiate well, and be a formidable influence on juries, judges and even the opposition.
It is also essential for attorneys to be composed, especially in the face of stressful situations or sudden developments. Lawyers who can display calm, make informed decision, and avoid emotional upheavals are the ones who can make their clients feel that they can be trusted.
They Must Be Adaptable & Flexible
A lawyer who can be adaptable and flexible is capable of responding to sudden changes in situations and adjusting themselves accordingly. Having such flexibility can be critical in cases where sudden developments warrant immediate responses.
Furthermore, an attorney who is open to learning and upskilling with the times will be the one best capable of representing their client. Dedication to being adaptable and flexible will ultimately make them superior to other lawyers in delivering favorable results for clients.
They Must Have Attention-to-Detail
Having attention-to-detail is a must in any field that requires precision, the legal one is no exception to this rule. An attorney worthy of their cause will make it a point to analyze every evidence and document that comes their way, being fully aware that the tiniest overlooked detail will have major repercussions.
Yet another area where this is applicable is a lawyer’s capacity to find and identify mistakes and inconsistent elements. Having this skill helps identify and eliminate any weakness and build an iron-clad case, thus keeping the client’s interests safe and sound.
They Should Be Open To Building Connections & Networking
Being able to network and build connections with others can be a great asset to an attorney. Those good at their job are always in the pursuit of building their network with other professionals in the space, such as insiders and experts, to help authenticate their arguments.
A lawyer with a well-built network will use the same to help their clients get extra opportunities, resources, and insights.
To Conclude…
Having the right lawyer by your side greatly determines the result of your case. While choosing a suitable attorney for your case, you must make sure that they possess the above-mentioned traits. This will help you maximize the chances of getting a favorable outcome.
