Confidence is a crucial skill for an attorney. If a legal professional exudes confidence, they appear more qualified, their clients are more inclined to trust them with their matter and, they may even be more successful when facing opposing counsel. But embodying confidence isn’t always easy.
So, what are some qualities that confident attorneys have in common? We have compiled a list of key characteristics of confident lawyers, for any legal professionals who want to build up their confidence and improve their practice.
1. A good lawyer is excited by challenges.
Whether it’s a new case or an unfamiliar area of law, successful and confident attorneys won’t be put off by obstacles that stand in their way. On the contrary, new challenges excite them because they trust their abilities. Every lawyer struggles from time to time, but the quality that differentiates a confident attorney is that they’re not afraid to take a leap of faith. Confidence builds in a good lawyer from using trusted tools, resources, and expert guidance to overcome challenges.
2. Good lawyers are confident in their work.
Managing your time when working on matters can be tricky, and write-offs are inevitable. Yet confident attorneys can manage to write off fewer hours. With the right legal research tools, they can maximize efficiency by getting to answers quickly. They know that they can trust the results they find, which eliminates the need to verify sources or sift through pages of unreliable answers.
3. A good lawyer balances work and life.
The ability to manage time should not only be limited to your work life. Another essential quality of a successful attorney is the ability to separate work and leisure. Successful attorneys don’t just end up burying themselves in work and neglecting other areas of their lives, leading to burnout. In fact, as counterintuitive as it may sound, confident attorneys can maintain a proper work-life balance.
For example, successful attorneys find time to go to their daughter’s dance recital, catch up and network with their colleagues at social events, and build relationships with their prospective clients that extend outside of the office. Despite the popular stereotype about lawyers being workaholics, confident and successful attorneys can be the opposite of that. Although these attorneys work hard, they prioritize their own needs as well, ensuring positive mental and physical health.
4. Good lawyers provide individualized service.
One thing confident attorneys have in common is that their clients are happy with their work. Every client is different and needs a unique approach to achieve the best outcome for their case – and good lawyers are aware of that. Whenever they deal with clients, they have an actionable plan, know what they are doing, and have no problem guiding the client throughout the process.
Confident lawyers don’t avoid being upfront with their clients: they are clear on the process of the matter, the costs involved, potential risks, and alternatives. At the same time, confidence does not imply unjustified aggression on their part – legal professionals who are secure in themselves and their abilities also treat clients with compassion and understanding. That’s why their clients are always so eager to recommend them, effectively expanding the firm’s client base.
5. A good lawyer trusts their resources.
Successful lawyers recognize that credible and comprehensive sources are critical to their practice, and for this reason, having the right research tools in place is paramount. Additionally, being well-prepared and thoroughly informed about your case can give you that extra confidence boost.
Build your confidence as a good lawyer with Practical Law‘s trusted answers and practical guidance.
