Soft skills are non-technical skills that aren’t specific to one particular career and are transferable to different industries and roles. Every type of career requires a blend of soft and hard skills, and the legal profession is no exception. There are plenty of soft skills needed to be a lawyer that individuals can work on cultivating at the undergraduate level, in law school and throughout their career.

What skills do you need to be a lawyer? If you’re thinking of pursuing this career path, it’s helpful to understand what it entails, what the required credentials are and which skills you’ll need to be successful in your role.

The legal field is fundamentally a human-oriented one; lawyers need to be able to work well with their colleagues, with other professionals, such as judges and paralegals, and with their clients. Even the types of lawyers who rarely visit a courtroom need to be able to work well with others and communicate clearly. Because the legal profession is all about human connections, lawyers need soft skills to do their job well.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Soft skills are among the most important requirements to be a lawyer because they equip legal professionals to serve their clients’ best interests and work well with others. From courtroom communication to ethical decision-making to professionalism, soft skills can advance legal practice.

To foster a more productive and positive work environment in law firms and perform in their own roles more effectively, students should work on cultivating the following essential soft skills for lawyers:

1. Integrity

A great lawyer must be honest and trustworthy, and they must prioritize professional integrity.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Clients, judges and juries depend on the integrity of an honest lawyer. Lawyers are expected to adhere to certain ethical standards of the profession.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

In order to do the best for their clients, a great lawyer knows how to empathize. This means they can understand different perspectives and experiences, and consider situations from multiple points of view.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Possessing empathy can contribute to better conflict resolution during arbitration and in legal proceedings. This is known as emotional intelligence, or EQ.

A high emotional intelligence can contribute to better interpersonal relationships, teamwork, communication and decision-making.

3. Humility

Humility is another important soft skill for legal professionals.^{(See disclaimer 3)} Humility is about treating others with respect and dignity. Lawyers who make clients feel inadequate are not highly sought-after. Clients want lawyers who can explain things in simple terms and avoid legal jargon where possible.

A lawyer who can relate to clients can meet the needs of a wide variety of people.

4. Time Management

Lawyers tend to be busy people who must juggle multiple cases. Good time management skills are essential for succeeding in this profession. Time management requires skills like task prioritization and delegation. It also necessitates making the most of the time available and optimizing workflows for greater efficiency.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

5. Active Listening

While listening to someone else speaking, it’s not uncommon for a person to get distracted or focus more on what they themselves are going to say next instead of actively listening to the individual in the conversation. Active listening, on the other hand, involves paying close attention to someone when they talk and actively working on processing the information for an engaging, interactive conversation.

Active listening is essential for lawyers, as it helps them understand important details of the case to better serve their clients, cultivate trusting relationships and develop innovative solutions.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

6. Accountability

Everyone makes mistakes; what matters is how you deal with them. Good lawyers hold themselves accountable for their mistakes by acknowledging them and working to fix them.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

It’s ideal to address mistakes as soon as possible, as waiting to fix the problem may lead to a more serious problem. Similarly, when advising your supervisor of your mistake or a different type of problem, it’s best to have a solution ready to present, as well.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

7. Civility

An argument could be made that civility is important in all fields and in all aspects of life, but it’s particularly essential for the legal field, given that cases can readily become contentious. Professional civility and collegiality help facilitate the proper functioning of the legal system, as they can promote confidence in the rule of law and in the justice system. Demonstrating civility as a lawyer is also a way to demonstrate your respect for your colleagues and for the justice system.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

It’s fairly easy to practice civility. While lawyers are known for vigorous advocacy of their clients, they must refrain from engaging in personal attacks or being rude. Instead, prioritize courtesy and, when things get heated, take a few deep breaths before speaking.

Just like hard skills, soft skills can be learned and refined through experience and mindfulness. Strong soft skills are important for every profession.

Start by taking an honest self-assessment. Soft skills can often be improved through experience and practice. As an undergraduate student, your coursework can teach many different soft skills. For example, you will practice collaboration skills when working in small groups, and you’ll practice critical thinking skills while reviewing the course material and reflecting on it.

Other ways to improve your soft skills include:

• Extracurriculars: Look for a debate club to join in high school or college, which can help you work on your communication skills and civil discourse. Similarly, look for extracurricular activities that enable you to work on skills like leadership and teamwork.
• Internships: Internships are a great way to cultivate soft skills. These roles can teach accountability, communication skills and time management, for example.
• Skills workshops: Look for opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, such as through pre-professional development initiatives, communication skills training workshops and networking events.

At Grand Canyon University, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a number of degree options for students interested in a law career that can benefit from transferable soft skills. The Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree explores law enforcement, professional responsibility and community-based strategic planning. Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Arts in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies teaches criminal and civil law, the practice and philosophy of law and the American Constitution.

No matter which degree program you choose, you’ll benefit from our faith-integrated courses that emphasize the development of servant leadership skills. Fill out the form on this page today to connect with a university counselor and learn how you can join GCU’s Christian learning community.