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Top Ten Legal Skills

While legal positions vary greatly in scope and responsibility, there are several core legal skills that are required in most legal f unctions. If you are considering a career in the law, it is wise to polish these top ten legal skills to excel in todays competitive legal market.

1. Oral Communication
Language is one of the most f undamental tools of the legal prof essional. Legal prof essionals must: Convey inf ormation in a clear, concise, and logical manner. Communicate persuasively. Advocate a position or a cause. Master legal terminology. Develop keen listening skills.

2. Written Communication
From writing simple correspondence to draf ting complex legal documents, writing is an integral f unction of nearly every legal position. Legal prof essionals must: Master the stylistic and mechanical aspects of writing. Master the f undamentals of English grammar. Learn how to write organized, concise and persuasive prose. Draf t ef f ective legal documents such as motions, brief s, memorandums, resolutions and legal agreements.

3. Client Service
In the client-f ocused legal industry, serving the client honestly, capably and responsibly is crucial to success. Legal prof essionals must master: Rainmaking and client development skills.

Customer service skills. Client communication skills.

4. Analytical and Logical Reasoning

Legal prof essionals must learn to review and assimilate large volumes of complex inf ormation in an ef f icient and ef f ective manner. Legal analytical and logical reasoning skills include: Reviewing complex written documents, drawing inf erences and making connections among legal authorities. Developing logical thinking, organization and problem-solving abilities. Structuring and evaluating arguments. Using inductive and deductive reasoning to draw inf erences and reach conclusions.

5. Legal Research
Researching legal concepts, case law, judicial opinions, statutes, regulations and other inf ormation is an important legal skill. Legal prof essionals must: Master legal research techniques. Learn how to locate and analyze legal authority. Master the art of statutory interpretation. Learn proper legal citation. Master legal research sof tware applications and Internet research.

6. Technology
Technology is changing the legal landscape and is an integral part of every legal f unction. To remain ef f ective in their jobs, legal prof essionals must: Master a variety of word processing, presentation, time and billing, and practice-related sof tware applications. Master communications technology including e-mails, voice messaging systems, videoconf erencing and related technology. Become f amiliar with electronic discovery, computerized litigation support and document management sof tware.

Become prof icient with legal research sof tware and Internet research. Develop the tech know-how to make wise technology decisions.

7. Knowledge of Substantive Law and Legal Procedure

All legal prof essionals, even those at the bottom of the legal career chain, must have a basic knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure. Legal prof essionals must have a general knowledge of : Local, state and f ederal court systems. Relevant f iling deadlines. Fundamental principles of law in the practice areas in which they work. Relevant legal terminology.

8. Time Management
In a prof ession based on a business model (billable hours) that ties productivity to f inancial gain, legal prof essionals are under constant pressure to bill time and manage large workloads. Theref ore, legal prof essionals must develop: Superior multi-tasking skills. A strong work ethic. The ability to juggle competing priorities. The ability to meet tight deadlines. Calendar management skills.

9. Organization
In order to manage large volumes of data and documents, legal prof essionals must develop top-notch organizational skills, including: The ability to sort, order and manage large volumes of exhibits, documents, f iles, evidence, data and other inf ormation. The ability to identif y objectives, catalogue data and create an ef f ective organization structure f rom massive amounts of unrelated inf ormation. The ability to use technology applications that assist in managing case-related data.

10. Teamwork
Legal prof essionals do not work in a vacuum. Even solo practitioners must rely on secretaries and support staf f and team up with co-counsel, experts and vendors to deliver legal services. Moreover, since the needs of the client may transcend the skills of one attorney, one paralegal or one practice group, teamwork is essential to individual and organizational success. Teamwork skills include: Collaborating with others to reach a common goal. Coordinating and sharing inf ormation and knowledge. Cultivating relationships with colleagues, staf f , clients, experts, vendors and others. Attending and participating in team events, meetings and conf erences.