What makes a great lawyer? Qualities & Characteristics

Someone can become a great lawyer with any combination of skills and knowledge. But time and time again, we see some similarities between solicitors & barristers that suggest a common thread. So, today, we’ll look at the qualities and characteristics of a great lawyer.  

Do you have these characteristics? 

Great talker 

You need to be persuasive and yet empathic; be able to draw a crowd yet silence a room. Amazing lawyers are good communicators through and through. This applies to negotiations, arguments and written comms as well. And we don’t just mean ‘gift of the gab’ - you need to have a powerful vein to your communications. 

Deep thinker 

Can you cut through the noise to see the heart of the issue? Great lawyers or solicitors can apply critical thinking to analyse evidence, spot loopholes and develop logical arguments. And this requires quick and sound decision-making based on logic. If you love bouncing an idea around for hours until you really find the right approach; law could be the best place for you. 

Strong ethics 

Great lawyers or solicitors have a deep sense of ethics and are highly trustworthy. This is critical because you’ll need to build a bond with your client and the courts quickly. If you’re honest, heart-felt and have high integrity; you could have the makings of a great lawyer. 

Good researcher 

You’ll need to dig into case law. And this means a lot of researching and reading. If you like that, you could have what it takes to be a great lawyer or solicitor. You’ll need to seek out relevant legal information eagerly and apply it to your cases effectively and consistently. 

Creative problem-solving 

Cases are never cut and dry. You’ll interact with complex legal problems that require creative and strategic solutions all the time. And great lawyers can get to the root of a problem to find innovative strategies to represent the best interests of their clients. Can you do that? 

Advanced advocate 

Remember that ‘best interest’ part from before? Great lawyers are advocates for their clients. And this could be in negotiations or courtroom proceedings. Wherever you are, you’ll need to put them first, create a persuasive argument and make compelling oral and written submissions that act on their behalf - putting them in the best light. 

People person 

Lawyers don’t act in a vacuum. Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, colleagues, magistrates and other legal professionals is a big part of your job. You’ll need to take social cues, practise active listening, value the strengths of others and love networking to do your work most effectively. 

If you have a few of these qualities, then you might make a fantastic lawyer or legal professional. Why not further these traits with some formal studies? Visit Bolton and see #UniAsItShouldBe first-hand. We have amazing legal lecturers and environments on campus to hone your native skills into a great lawyer or solicitor, barrister, magistrate, paralegal or any other sort of law-focused role you might be interested in. Email us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call +44 1204 903774 to get started.