The practice of law may lead to a wide variety of careers. Despite the differences in career paths, the essential skills necessary to be an effective attorney are constant. Not everyone will excel in the skills necessary to be an effective attorney. The first skill required is the ability to effectively work with others.
Lawyers make their living by helping people to resolve legal problems.
Lawyers must, therefore, enjoy working with other people and derive satisfaction from helping others through difficult periods. While needing to empathize with their clients, lawyers also must be able to objectively recognize and analyze the potential legal problems of the client and give advice that is consistent with both the needs of the client and the requirements of the law. Attorneys thus must exhibit considerable tact because they will confront many situations in which the client views no options as desirable. A second set of skills required of all attorneys includes the ability to clearly express themselves through speech and writing. In order to be successful, an attorney must be able to convince others through written briefs and oral arguments that they have reached the correct solution to the legal problems presented in their cases.