Solicitor Skill Mastery: Learn What It Takes to Succeed

Oct 26, 2023

Written By Nandini Jadeja

This article is a comprehensive guide to the critical skills that aspiring solicitors should focus on mastering. It will provide insights into each skill and their roles in legal practice, so you can get a head start on mastering them before entering the legal world.

Legal research and drafting

Legal research is important in every aspect of being a lawyer. This includes things you might have researched at university, like statutes, regulations and case law, but also newer things, like keeping up to date on business and commercial developments.

Trainees are often required to draft legal documents, including contracts, briefs, opinions and correspondence. The writing skills needed here will be different to the ones you have used previously, so it’s a good idea to think about how you might develop these skills. This might include: thinking about different audiences and how your writing will differ to suit them, asking your lecturers for essay feedback, writing about commercial awareness topics that interest you, and reading legal journals and law firm websites for inspiration.

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Communication and advocacy

A large part of being a lawyer is conveying complex information to clients who do not have the same legal knowledge that you do. Communication between clients and lawyers is paramount, and you can develop this by listening actively, being empathetic and building a relationship with your client wherein they trust and rely on you for advice.

Advocacy is also a key skill to master, as lawyers need to present their client’s case convincingly. Part of this is mastering oral persuasion and argumentation, which is built on the previous point of being an active listener. The best lawyers listen carefully and use the information accordingly to help their clients. You can develop these skills by taking on leadership or public speaking roles at student societies, or by volunteering at a legal clinic.

Problem solving and critical thinking

Critical thinking is at the core of a lawyer’s job as they are required to think creatively about different legal problems and make well informed decisions. Equally, analytical skills are also necessary for dissecting complex legal problems, statutes and case law. Solicitors use these skills to evaluate legal precedents and apply them to their client’s cases. You can develop these skills through things like watching debates or court cases and thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments that are raised (independent of your personal views).

Commercial awareness

Commercial awareness is not just important during the application cycle! It continues to be important throughout your legal career, and mastering how to be commercial aware is essential to being a successful lawyer. Solicitors need a deep understanding of their client’s businesses and industries, without this they will be unable to provide the tailored advice that aligns with their clients’ strategic goals. Staying on top of legal market trends, such as regulatory changes and emerging practice areas helps solicitors to be consistently proactive and produce high quality, relevant work for their clients. You can become more commercially aware by keeping up to date with developments in business and law, reading business journals and industry publications, setting google alerts, and attending networking events.

Time management and organisation

Effective time management is crucial in a profession where deadlines are tight and demand is high. Solicitors should prioritise tasks, set realistic deadlines, and minimise distractions to ensure they meet client expectations. Time management works alongside organisation, which is critical for managing caseloads, documents and client interactions efficiently, as well as for minimising errors and maintaining a work life balance. As a student, you may be familiar with time management techniques such as schedules, to-do lists and the pomodoro technique: these will continue to work well into your legal career.

Networking and relationship building

Building a professional network is essential for solicitors. It includes connecting with colleagues and other solicitors who can offer guidance, support, and opportunities for career growth. Cultivating positive client relationships is vital for securing repeat business and referrals. Solicitors should focus on communication, responsiveness, and understanding client needs. You can develop these skills by actively participating in networking events, by making a list of questions to ask at the event, and jotting down contact details for later.

Continuous learning and development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an ongoing commitment to learning and development in the legal profession, and something that is being increasingly emphasised in law firms as client’s require new and creative solutions to legal issues. Solicitors should engage in CPD activities to stay updated on legal developments and can enhance their skills and marketability by pursuing specialisation in specific legal areas, seeking advanced training or qualifications, or gaining new experiences.

Conclusion & encouragement

Your career as a solicitor starts well before you have qualified. Using the skill areas summarised in this article, you can be ahead of the game by beginning to master these skills, which will require continuous refinement throughout your career. Skill development is crucial, and often separates good lawyers from excellent ones.

So, with all this information at hand, you are ready to create a skills action plan! One way to begin is to block out time in your calendar to work on these skills, or even set up a skills group with fellow aspiring solicitors where you can meet, network and talk through legal developments. This will also allow you to keep track of your journey to mastering the skills it takes to succeed as a solicitor.

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