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What skills do I need to be a lawyer?

I am not that capable in classes.

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Isaac’s Answer

Hi Luis — Some of the most important skills you need to be a good lawyer are passion and creativity.

A great place to start is by asking yourself: Do you ever see something that feels unfair and think it’s worth standing up for? That instinct of wanting to advocate for people, ideas, or causes is one of the most important parts of being a lawyer. Law is not just about knowing rules; it’s about using those rules to help solve problems and protect what you believe matters.

That is why creativity is also essential. Lawyers deal with so many different kinds of challenges and there is rarely only one way to solve the problem. A good lawyer can think critically, look at issues from different angles, and find practical, thoughtful questions.

The beauty of law is that there are so many different paths you can take. You might work in criminal law, corporate law, civil rights, entertainment, technology, government, or even environmental law. And because the world is always changing, the work lawyers do will continue to evolve too.

So, find something you are passionate about, and look for new creative ways to make it more beneficial, accessible, or fair to others. That mindset is at the heart of what good lawyers do.

Best of luck!
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Susie’s Answer

Hi Luis - Good communication skills are essential for lawyers built from continuous reading, writing, listening, speaking and analyzing the information gathered. I would start building these skills with something that you're excited to get up in the morning for, even if that something is not taught in class. Once you start building these skills, you will slowly gain confidence and they will translate into the classroom. I am a big fan of the rock band The Cure. Where I grew up in Korea, The Cure was an obscure band. But I became passionate about listening to all of their music, reading all the lyrics, learning about each band member and their background and interests. Listening to their music and learning about the band members started my path to college, then to graduate school and law school and eventually to become a lawyer. I made friends with like minded fans, with whom I might have never become friends had it not been for The Cure. It was a very rewarding experience, when I had the opportunity to represent a rock band as a client during their contract negotiations. It doesn't matter how or where you start. You just need to start and follow whatever road it leads.
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Priyanka’s Answer

Hi Luis! Fortunately your performance in class isn't the only metric that can help you either get into to law school or get a job after law school. The characteristic I would emphasize most is being outgoing and taking initiative - don't be afraid to connect with attorneys who went to your law school/the law school you want to attend. Cold emailing lawyers or profs who you're genuinely interested in learning from WORKS. Obviously it's no guarantee that you'll get into law school/get a job just by talking to someone, but you'll certainly have a better sense of what it means to study/work at those places and what those places are looking for when accepting candidates.
It might seem scary to email someone you don't know or to network at an event but the worst that can happen is silence (aka no response over email or in person), but it's much rarer than you think. Trust me, lawyers LOVE to talk, especially about their work.
You got this!
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Maryann’s Answer

You can do it if you really focus. Start by reading and writing to improve those skills. You'll pick up other things in law school or through job training. Good luck!
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Bob’s Answer

Hi, Luis, and thank you for your question.

Let's start with the basics.

The practice of law is essentially an opportunity for an attorney to change the fortunes of his/her client for the better, to put that client in a better position, offer a better life than would have been the case had the attorney not intervened.

The best attorneys I ever met are those with a positive mindset; they believe that whatever has happened to their clients, they as attorneys, can overcome and turn a negative into a positive.

That mindset means that as an attorney, whatever happens, whatever your client has done or gotten himself into, you can make things a bit better.

Luis, I want you to develop that mindset, as everything regarding the practice of law, regarding life, will flow from it.

So let's take your comment: "I am not that capable in classes."

Oh yes you are. Luis, if you continue to say that about yourself, you'll come to believe it is true.

Let me quote you a few lines from a poem, The Man Who Thinks He Can!

"Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!"

You can do this! You are capable in classes, Luis. Make yourself capable. Keep at it everyday and never quit.

Believe in yourself, and you'll become a fine lawyer!

God bless you!
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Marjorie’s Answer

Hi Luis,
You definitely don't need to be at the top of your class to be a good lawyer. Learning the law from an academic standpoint is needed of course, but being pragmatic and being able to find solutions to problems are key to being a good lawyer. Whether you are defending a client or you work in a company as in-house lawyer, it's about finding the best solution possible to a problem. Often, the solution is not the law, but something concrete that helps both sides.
I'm a lawyer within a company, and my role is a lot about solving problems, finding the best way to be on the right side of the law, but also to make it as efficient and as easy as possible to comply with rules and laws. It can be drafting a contract template that is easily readable and has reasonable terms for both parties.
Also, I find that to be a lawyer, you need to have grit and be persistent. It can take a long time to become a good lawyer, so just keep going and believe in yourself, it's often a matter of just not giving up.
Good luck, you can do it!
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DENNIS A’s Answer

Hi Luis: Do you like sports? If yes you'll be a good lawyer!

Practicing law is not just about classroom stuff - it's about people stuff. If you care about others and have pride in your work you'll be fine. Don't get lazy -n you still need good grades to get into a good law school butblaw is about more than just grades. Study hard, stay out of trouble and you'll be fine!
Good luck!
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