Certain qualities are needed to become an attorney.
The law is not a profession for everyone. To become an attorney, and particularly a successful attorney, there are certain qualities that a person must have. The practice of law can be difficult, with a blend of speaking to clients and the court and researching and writing legal documents, and the qualities needed to become a lawyer reflect this.
Hard Working
An indispensable quality for a lawyer to have is the drive to work hard. The path to becoming a lawyer and the practice of law are both long and difficult. To become a lawyer, a person must first receive a bachelor's degree, then a juris doctor degree and then pass the bar exam. This educational and licensing process is a commitment that can take between six and eight years, depending on whether the individual is a full-time law student. Further, once in the practice of law, an attorney could work in excess of 60 hours per week. Moreover, each client will present her own unique legal problems, with which the attorney must grapple with and solve.
Professional
Lawyers must be professional. Aside from looking the part by wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, the lawyer must act in a professional manner. An attorney must maintain contact with her client, appear on time to all client meetings and court hearings, conduct adequate research and submit documents to the court that have been proof-read and are free from spelling and grammar errors.
Personable
Lawyers should be personable so that they can effectively communicate with clients, other attorneys, judges and court staff. While the American court system is adversarial, that does not mean that the attorneys must be, or should be, angry and cut-throat. The key to a healthy attorney-client relationship is communication, and the client must feel comfortable with her attorney to foster this relationship.
Articulate
An attorney should be articulate her thoughts in her writing and her speaking. To be an effective advocate for her client's cause, the attorney must be able to clearly make reasoned arguments. Further, the attorney, in every case, will ask the judge for some type of relief, and this request for relief should be stated in such a fashion that the judge can understand it.
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