2 answers
Jason
Student
Yorba Linda, California
1
Question
Asked
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What is the most important skill to be a good attorney?
I am a junior in high school and planning on becoming an attorney. I was curious about the skills that I should be focusing on throughout my education so I can be better prepared for this career.
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2 answers
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
43
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Jason,
Aside from time and project management skills, I would say you'll need to have good people skills. No matter which area of the law you end up practicing in, you will likely have to interact with different people ranging from your clients, opposing counsels, witnesses, other stakeholders, and your own team. A good attorney, in my opinion, understands people as well as their needs and underlying interests, which may not always be apparent. You'll also need to develop your communication skills and know when to adjust your style based on who you're interacting with.
These skills are important even if you're not in a role that requires a whole lot of talking (think litigators). So I would encourage you to take classes in public speaking or interpersonal communication if you can. Good luck!
Aside from time and project management skills, I would say you'll need to have good people skills. No matter which area of the law you end up practicing in, you will likely have to interact with different people ranging from your clients, opposing counsels, witnesses, other stakeholders, and your own team. A good attorney, in my opinion, understands people as well as their needs and underlying interests, which may not always be apparent. You'll also need to develop your communication skills and know when to adjust your style based on who you're interacting with.
These skills are important even if you're not in a role that requires a whole lot of talking (think litigators). So I would encourage you to take classes in public speaking or interpersonal communication if you can. Good luck!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Jason,
From what I've seen when I used to do support services for attorneys, I'd say that would be Time Management, Multi-tasking, and being able to shift gears at a moment's notice - flexibility. Everything in law revolves around the calendar. Miss a deadline, and your client pays the price.
In school, you see how this works - when is the term-paper due, when should you start working on it? If you procrastinate for no good reason, and something else comes up (your Mom is admitted to the hospital, for example) is your teacher going to give you additional time when you had known about it for six weeks? I truly hope not. If they do, they aren't helping to prepare you for the real world. Because a judge wouldn't extend such a deadline.
The more self-disciplined you can become at a young age, the more it will carry forward to your college studies, and beyond.
Best of luck!
Kim
From what I've seen when I used to do support services for attorneys, I'd say that would be Time Management, Multi-tasking, and being able to shift gears at a moment's notice - flexibility. Everything in law revolves around the calendar. Miss a deadline, and your client pays the price.
In school, you see how this works - when is the term-paper due, when should you start working on it? If you procrastinate for no good reason, and something else comes up (your Mom is admitted to the hospital, for example) is your teacher going to give you additional time when you had known about it for six weeks? I truly hope not. If they do, they aren't helping to prepare you for the real world. Because a judge wouldn't extend such a deadline.
The more self-disciplined you can become at a young age, the more it will carry forward to your college studies, and beyond.
Best of luck!
Kim