By Niels B. Schaumann
What makes a good lawyer? After 35 years practicing and teaching law, the following comes to mind. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it comprises a few essential characteristics I would encourage all law students — and practicing lawyers — to cultivate throughout their careers.
Enjoy learning. One of the things most lawyers say they like best about their practice is the ability to keep learning throughout their careers. New clients, new cases, new transactions — no matter the kind of practice, most lawyers are always learning something new. It helps if the lawyer welcomes and enjoys it.
Cognitive skills. Lawyers must be able to learn quickly and effectively. The law is constantly changing, as are the circumstances of the lawyer’s engagement. A good lawyer has to be able to process information quickly and “connect the dots” to see patterns.
Communication skills. The essence of a lawyer’s job is to communicate, both verbally and in writing. A good lawyer spots ambiguity and eliminates it, and is able to communicate with the client, the court and opposing counsel. This is no less important for transactional lawyers, who have to draft contracts with the utmost care.
Empathy. Good lawyers have to be able to put themselves “into the shoes” of their clients, and be able to understand the client’s objectives and advocate for them. It is also important to be able to understand the objectives of the opposing party. A lawyer who understands the interests of all parties will be a more effective advocate and negotiator.
Perseverance. This is important in research, but also in other aspects of practice (see “Communication skills” above). Drafting and, more importantly, redrafting requires the willingness to keep at it until the written document is as good as it can possibly be, within the constraints of the lawyer’s time and the client’s budget.
Analytical skills. A good lawyer can go through a mountain of materials, see the important parts and connect them to understand the facts and the law.
When complemented by integrity, people skills, good judgment, creativity and compassion, lawyers who develop these characteristics set themselves up for success. They also help illustrate what is good and noble about practicing law, and why the profession should indeed be celebrated.
Niels B. Schaumann is the Dean of California Western School of Law.