Why Legal Professionals Need Soft Skills

Legal professionals in all areas, including lawyers, judges and those involved as legal managers in large firms, certainly require a wide range of legal skills to succeed in their careers. But, while legal knowledge is undoubtedly important as the basis of their work, it is equally important for these professionals to develop a strong set of soft skills. These skills are needed to effectively communicate, collaborate, solve problems and manage relationships; the  interpersonal skills that make all the difference in the work of the individual and the firm or authority that they represent.

The ability to build successful relationships with clients and colleagues, the vital skills of negotiating with opposing parties, and the emotional intelligence needed to work effectively in teams and partnerships, these are increasingly crucial to long-term success in the field of law.  Perhaps the four most important soft skills for legal operatives might be identified as communication, emotional intelligence, problem solving, and critical thinking and decision-making abilities.

Communication is probably the most important soft skills for legal professionals. Lawyers must certainly be able to effectively communicate with clients, colleagues, and other legal professionals. They need to be able to clearly explain often complex legal concepts and procedures to clients, colleagues and other stakeholders, in clear and concise words that will put the listener at ease and bring clarity of thought to any legal process.

They must also be able to effectively listen to and understand the needs of their clients. This entails a genuine intention to hear the meaning and emotion behind the words, understand the lived experience of the person they are working with, and accurately interpret what is said – and even what is not said. The lawyer or judge who is able to understand the concerns and perspectives of others, and then interpret these in light of their legal knowledge, will certainly build exceptional practice and likely sustain highly successful professional relationships.   

Emotional intelligence is another important soft skill for legal professionals. It encompasses a range of skills, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills, and also the ability to understand and manage not only one’s own emotions, but also the emotions of others. In the legal profession, specifically this will certainly entail an ability to empathise with clients and colleagues, and the rare skill of gently but effectively managing conflicts and dealing with challenging high-pressure environments. Developing these skills will almost certainly lead to better outcomes for clients and more productive working relationships with colleagues and other professionals with whom lawyers, judges and other legal representatives interact. In purely commercial terms, this should lead to increased client satisfaction and improved client retention. 

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Problem-solving is another important soft skill for lawyers and judges. Lawyers must be able to identify and analyse legal issues, pinpoint the key issues and facts pertinent to the case,  and then develop effective strategies for their clients.  They have to think critically and creatively to develop and build solutions to complex legal problems, whilst navigating conflicts and disputes in a productive manner. The development of problem solving skills is given even greater importance in the profession today, as the legal field is highly complex and constantly evolving. Legal professionals must be able to adapt to changing legal landscapes, interpret complex and sometimes fluid legal language, and apply legal concepts to real-world situations in an increasingly international context.

Critical thinking and decision-making skills are also crucial for success. Legal professionals must be able to analyse complex legal issues, identify relevant facts, and make sound judgements based on the available evidence; and this sometimes with some urgency. Effective skills here enable professionals to confidently provide high-quality advice to their clients, having considered multiple possible outcomes and developed effective strategies that will lead to successful outcomes. The effective evaluation of evidence is a further important aspect of critical thinking. Here particularly are the skills of identifying the relevant facts, assessing the credibility of witnesses and weighing up the strength of evidence in order to make sound judgements. Legal professionals must be able to navigate complex ethical issues, such as conflicts of interest and confidentiality, and make decisions that are in the best interests of their clients while at the same time upholding the principles of the legal profession.

These five specific soft skills, along, no doubt, with other important abilities, can be developed through education, experience, and practice. Education, especially when it is case-study based and intensely practical, can help lawyers develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate, collaborate and manage relationships. Hands-on experience in legal work of different types, particularly when coupled with the joint practices of self-review/ reflection and mentorship, can bring dramatic benefits to those willing to invest the time and effort required.  And, of course, practice always help lawyers hone their skills and become more effective communicators, problem-solvers, decision-makers and critical thinkers.

While knowledge is essential for legal professionals, soft skills are equally, and perhaps increasingly important. Those practitioners who possess strong communication abilities, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills are undoubtedly better equipped to succeed in their careers and make a positive impact on their clients, promote their firm or practice, and enhance the legal profession as a whole.