What makes a good lawyer?

It depends on the type of lawyer.  Generally speaking though, in my mind, a good lawyer is someone who Listens to the client's situation (and I mean really listens.) Is able to identify the issues that exist in the situation. Is able to analyze how to best deal with the issues.  For example, a litigator will see the strengths and weaknesses in a case, and will know how to use the strengths and mitigate the weaknesses. A lawyer who is drafting a contract will know how to limit risk, to protect rights. A negotiator will know how to properly negotiate the client's interests, etc. Can use the appropriate tools to get the best result possible.  The tools might be the court room, or the contract, or the negotiation, what have you. A good lawyer also knows the ethical rules and is ethical in her interactions with clients, lawyers, judges and everyone else she encounters in the legal system. Not be overly aggressive just for the sake of being so.  This does not mean a lawyer should never be aggressive, quite the contrary. But she should not be aggressive from moment one without need. Being overly aggressive often makes the case take longer and cost more.  On the other hand, she should not be a pushover either. There is a balance. The right attitude for the right situation. Which leads me to, lawyers need to be able to read the situation. And lawyers need to respond accordingly to whatever that situation might be.  For example, should a criminal defense lawyer speak to the press right now? What should she say? Or should she be quiet. Which is better for the client? The lawyer should put the client's needs before her own.  Again, is the lawyer talking to the press because it is good for the client? Or is she talking to the press because it is good for her practice? A good lawyer zealously represents her clients within the bounds of the law and the ethical requirements. She stands up for her client. She is not afraid to speak frankly and honestly to her clients. Sometimes clients have unrealistic expectations. It is important to set the expectations properly. She is not afraid to turn down a case.  If the lawyer is not qualified and cannot become properly qualified, she should not take the case.  She also shouldn't take a case that is improper. These are just a few of the things I can think of, in terms of what I think makes a good lawyer.

I want to amplify one thing from Jennifer's excellent answer, and it concerns #7 (being able to read the situation).  A good lawyer should be able to understand people and their motivations and read a broad situation.  For example, when attempting to resolve a matter before it goes to litigation, a good lawyer can (1) identify what the other side is looking for in order to resolve the matter, (2) get a sense of the other side's position - Are they bluffing?  Prepared to fight?  In desperate financial straits and close to being unable to settle? -  and (3) sense when the time is right to strike the best possible deal for their client.

To me a good lawyer is knowledgeable of the situation and law at hand, doesn't bloat a case out of proportion for financial gain, corresponds effectively with his client, deals with issues in a timely manner and is effective. My favorite example was a lawyer who simply took care of an issue just by writing a letter. By the way, no charge.

Integrity, intellectual honesty, a certain level of intelligence, curiousity and a great memory.

Hi,           Lawyers have existed since ancient times, developing rules  in an attempt to maintain peace and order in communities. Today, lawyers  can be found all over the world. What does it take to be successful in  this demanding field? Some of the qualities top lawyers and makes good lawyer have include: Analytical Skills: A great lawyer has excellent analytical skills and is able to readily make sense of a large volume of information. Creativity: A great lawyer is creative and able to think of reasonable solutions when problems and unique situations arise. Research Skills: Preparing a legal strategy  generally requires an extensive amount of research. Anyone involved in  the legal profession should have excellent research skills to be able to  find and comprehend pertinent information. Interpersonal Skills: Great lawyers and paralegals  have excellent interpersonal skills and can develop trusting  relationships with everyone they work with. Logical Thinking Ability: A great lawyer is able to think logically and make reasonable judgments and assumptions based on information presented. Perseverance: Those working in the legal profession  must have perseverance. Often, cases require many hours of work with  heavy research and lots of writing. A good lawyer or legal assistant  must be willing to put in the time it takes to get the job done. Public Speaking Skills: A great lawyer has  excellent public speaking skills and is comfortable addressing a  courtroom. They can also easily handle speaking in front of other  groups. Pursues Continuing Education: Great lawyers stay on  top of developments in the legal field and also pursue continuing  training. In fact, 48 states require lawyers to earn continuing  education credits annually. Reading Comprehension Skills: Lawyers, paralegals,  and other legal professionals should have strong reading comprehension  skills to easily understand the complex information encountered in legal  research and documents. Writing Skills: A great lawyer or legal assistant  has excellent writing skills which are used in preparing compelling  arguments, briefs, motions, and other legal documents...                                                 Being a great http://www.turnbullhill.com.au/ (depending, of course, upon the specific role)  requires a combination of high intelligence, strong analytical and  advocacy skills, and an ability to communicate effectively (both  verbally and in writing). Great lawyers typically have a passion for a  particular legal speciality or practice area, and master excellence as  an expert, which fosters a high level of commitment to their work. They  also understand their clients’ objectives, and advocate on that basis  (not on the law in isolation). For example, if advising a commercial  client, great lawyers will appreciate the business, as well as legal,  outcomes of their arguments.

A lawyer should be clear in expressing his views and should understand that it is not enough for him alone to understand that his client is right but to prove it to the judge and to the others concerned with the case. A successful lawyer stands by his point and does not easily agree to statements made against his client. In handling the opponent’s tricky questions to make a lawyer disagree with his own client, a lawyer must be alert and tackle the situation smartly, thus having people think in his favor. Once upon a time, I took some legal services from Raymond Masciarella, he's having http://www.rmmconstructionlaw.com/ and then only I got to know that a successful lawyer really must have a quick thinking to handle difficult situations in the court.

Being a great lawyer (depending, of course, upon the specific role)  requires a combination of high intelligence, strong analytical and  advocacy skills, and an ability to communicate effectively (both  verbally and in writing). Great lawyers typically have a passion for a  particular legal speciality or practice area, and master excellence as  an expert, which fosters a high level of commitment to their work. They  also understand their clients’ objectives, and advocate on that basis  (not on the law in isolation). For example, if advising a commercial  client, great lawyers will appreciate the business, as well as legal,  outcomes of their arguments. https://lawyersofsydney.com/

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Skills are something that you can work on and develop over time. As they say: practice makes perfect! Here are a few that you should consider working on if you aspire to be a successful lawyer:1) Good CommunicationLawyers must be orally articulate, have good written communication skills and also be good listeners. In order to argue convincingly in the courtroom before juries and judges, good public speaking skills are essential.Lawyers must also be able to write clearly, persuasively and concisely, as they must produce a variety of legal documents.But it’s not all about projection. To be able to analyse what clients tell them or follow a complex testimony, a lawyer must have good listening skills.2) JudgmentThe ability to draw reasonable, logical conclusions or assumptions from limited information is essential as a lawyer.You must also be able to consider these judgements critically, so that you can anticipate potential areas of weakness in your argument that must be fortified against.Similarly, you must be able to spot points of weakness in an oppositions argument. Decisiveness is also a part of judgement. There will be a lot of important judgement calls to make and little time for sitting on the fence.3) AnalyticalBoth the study and practice of law involve absorbing large quantities of information, then having to distil it into something manageable and logical.At times, there will be more than one reasonable conclusion, or more than one precedent applicable to resolving a situation.A lawyer must therefore have the evaluative skills in order to choose which is the most suitable.4) Research SkillsSimilarly, being able to research quickly and effectively is essential to understanding your clients, their needs, and to preparing legal strategies.Preparing legal strategies requires absorbing and comprehending large amounts of information, then distilling them down into something manageable and useful.5) People SkillsLaw is not an abstract practice. Irrelevant of how well someone does academically, at the end of the day lawyers work with people, on behalf of people, and the decisions that are made effect peoples’ lives.They must be personable, persuasive and able to read others. This allows them to gauge juror’s reactions and the honesty of witnesses.This allows them to decide upon the best approach to take in order to achieve the desired outcome: either clients taking their advice or reaching a favourable negotiation with the opposition. To know more, visit here…. http://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/stage/becoming-a-lawyer/7-qualities-every-good-lawyer-should-have