Whether you are planning to begin a career in law yourself, or are simply looking to instruct a solicitor, it always helps to know exactly what qualities are shared by the best examples in this challenging profession. Being a solicitor can be a highly varied role, and being able to rise to the many demands placed upon you means having certain skills at your disposal. Read on to discover the five essential skills that a good solicitor will have to offer.
Skill One: Great Communication
When you work as a solicitor, a large proportion of your time is likely to be spent communicating with other people. This can and will include anyone from your colleagues such as judges, fellow lawyers and legal secretaries, to your clients who may have very different levels of understanding when it comes to legal matters. This means that an ability to explain laws, concepts and processes in a clear, easy-to-understand manner will be essential, both in writing and verbally. As described here, you will also need to be confident speaking in public, often in formal settings, where debating skills will also be highly beneficial.
Skill Two: Research And Analysis
Being a solicitor often requires taking in a lot of facts and figures, in order to back up or build a case. This means that knowing how to find – and use – the right information is a critical part of the job. This can take the form of hunting through books, statute and online resources, to reaching out to fellow professionals for insights. And of course, being a good solicitor means that the information gained must be carefully and effectively analysed in order to use it to the best possible advantage. You’ll never stop learning as a solicitor, so being committed to study is a vital quality.
Skill Three: Organisational Abilities
As a successful solicitor, you will invariably have a variety of different tasks to juggle, from attending court to drawing up contracts. For example, a transfer of equity solicitor will not only need to keep track of the needs of various clients, but will also need to draft legal documents, and more. This means that a natural ability to stay organised is a must.
Skill Four: A Creative Outlook
Having a creative outlook is a great asset in a solicitor. If you’re looking for an experienced transfer of equity solicitor, then you may not think that a creative streak would be an essential trait, but in fact, this quality applies to all areas of law. This is because creating a legally binding solution can require a deft approach to problem-solving, meaning that the best solicitors are able to “think outside the box” when applying their legal knowledge.
Skill Five: Teamworking
These days, it’s rare to find a solicitor who doesn’t have to work as part of a team, and this, of course, means the ability to work well with others is a must-have quality. From helping with research on a major case, to supporting colleagues with developing a strategy, or simply sharing their own wisdom and experience, no good lawyer works in a vacuum. The ability to motivate, support, and assist colleagues is, therefore, an important part of the job.
