The Skills Required To Become A Solicitor

There is more to becoming a solicitor than getting a law degree. There are many skills that potential employers are looking for and that will set you up for a successful career. Before you decide to become a solicitor, you should know what some of the skills you need to have are.

Academic Ability

In order to become an Injury Law solicitor, you will need to have a law degree. Potential employers will generally be looking for candidates with a 2:1 degree which means that you need some academic ability. If studying is not a skill that you excel in, you might have a hard time in this profession.

The academic ability not only relates to the degree you have. The law often changes and there are new standards that you have to keep up to date with. This profession requires continued study and without good study skills and academic ability, you might find it hard to keep up to date.

Communication

Strong written and oral communication is vital if you want to be a successful solicitor. Miscommunication is something that you need to avoid in the legal field because it can cause serious issues. You should be a confident speaker as you will need to argue your case and negotiate with other solicitors. You also need to be able to communicate in a persuasive manner.

Your written communication is also important when it comes to the drafting of legal documents. You will need to be able to weave technical and legal language to convey yourself clearly. If you feel that your written communication skills could use some work, getting included in the law society at your university is a good idea.

As communication is a two-way street, good listening skills are also important. You need to be able to listen to your clients as well as the opposing counsel. Being able to listen will also help your interpersonal skills which are essential to working in a team on a case.

Attention To Detail

A lot of people do not realize how important it is for a solicitor to have good attention to detail. A comma or misplaced word can completely change the meaning of a clause in a legal document. If you do not pay attention to the details, you could cost your firm a lot of business. Misspelled emails and other communication will also leave a bad impression on potential employers and clients.

If you feel that you need to hone your attention to detail, there are a few ways that you can do this. One of the easiest will be to offer your services to student publications as a proofreader. This will help give you a chance to practice your skills and will look good when you apply for a job in the future.

There are a lot of skills that you need to have to become a solicitor. You need to have the academic ability as well as good written and oral communication Attention to detail is also important because of the serious repercussions a poorly drafted legal document could have.