In a difficult, confusing, or complicated situation, individuals and companies may find themselves desperately seeking the guidance of a well-prepared and reliable legal professional. A Solicitor has the potential to have a dramatic and positive impact on the life of a client. Whether it’s by helping them through a difficult family law matter, protecting them against false charges, or securing fair financial compensation after an accident, Solicitors advocate for people during some of the most challenging times in their life. Solicitors matter.
But what makes a Solicitor from Heaven? It’s not an easy job, and not everyone is cut out for it. About a quarter of Solicitors leave the profession within the first seven years. A legal degree can also be applied to a multitude of professional environments and careers. But for anyone that wants to know how to find a Solicitor from Heaven or how to be a good Solicitor it’s crucial to consider the key factors that make today’s Solicitors successful. Below are ten traits that are common to our list of Solicitors from Heaven:
Passion for the Job
As a starting point, successful Solicitors almost always have a true passion for their job. You have probably heard popular cliches like “choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life”. Of course, we all know that in the real world it’s not quite that simple. At the same time, there is a wide body of scientific evidence that demonstrates the importance of passion for your work. Some have an already developed enthusiasm for lifelong learning, but as noted by Deloitte, one of the keys to talent development is cultivating worker passion. In other words, people who are passionate about what they are doing are happier, more fulfilled, and they perform better. If you have a passion for serving people and an interest in the law, you should consider applying for admission into law school.
Compassion for Clients
Without compassion for their clients, a Solicitor will never reach their true professional potential. The top legal minds in the field almost invariably highlight compassion and service when they offer advice to law students and aspiring Solicitors. For example, they should try to use their degree to “make things a little better for other people”. A Solicitor who is committed to representing and helping their clients is likely to find meaning and success in their professional life.
Great Communication Skills
On a fundamental level, Solicitors are communicators. They communicate with their clients, they communicate with other parties to the case, and they communicate with the court. Beyond that, Solicitors communicate in a wide range of different ways. A great Solicitor knows how to get important ideas across in formal legal writing, in informal emails, in phone conversations, through discussions in official legal settings, and in private conversations. Law students and aspiring Solicitors should never miss an opportunity to sharpen their communication skills. It’s not just about the law, it’s also about the business. The average UK law firm spends a considerable amount of time attracting and retaining clients. Solicitors need to know how to network with potential clients and how to demonstrate their professional capabilities in consultations with prospective clients. Remember, the greatest legal mind in the world will not be able to use their skills until they get hired.
Willingness to Listen
One of the most underrated traits shared by almost every successful Solicitor is a strong ability and willingness to listen. Although strong listening is a part of overall communication skills, it’s important to highlight listening as its own professional trait. Effective communication is a two-way street. Too many people fail to put in the time and energy to fully understand and comprehend what the other party is saying. When you truly open up your ears, you will probably recognise that people are giving you even more information that you thought. Listening to your clients, listening to witnesses, listening to your opposing counsel, and listening to the court can be the difference between winning and losing a case. Our Solicitors from Heaven take in all relevant information, analyse it, and create a plan of action.
Knowledge of the Law
Imagine that you were hurt in a car accident on a the motorway. You would probably want to turn to an experienced personal injury Solicitor. If you’re considering starting a company and want guidance on company formation, you will undoubtedly want to find an experienced business Solicitor. While successful Solicitors share many common traits, they may rely on a distinct body of law. The legal knowledge needed to be an effective corporate litigator is far different than the legal knowledge needed to help a London couple pursue a private adoption. Great Solicitors know their area of practice. Some of this knowledge comes from experience. Some of it comes from education.
Strong Writing Ability
One of the single defining traits that all successful Solicitors share is excellent writing skills. Don’t be fooled by the flashy procedurals that are ever popular on television, the vast majority of Solicitors spend far more time writing than they do in oral arguments. Successful Solicitors must be able to prepare effective, clear, and well-reasoned legal documents. A Solicitor who can tell a compelling story that weaves in all of the relevant facts and arguments is a Solicitor from Heaven and will help you for a long time.
Creativity
When you think about the job of a Solicitor, creativity may not be the first trait that comes to your mind. However, contrary to the popular conceptions of most people, successful Solicitors are often highly creative people. The law is not purely a science. There is an art to effective legal practice. Remember, each client that a Solicitor deals with will have their own unique set of goals, objectives, and concerns. In some cases, ‘outside-the-box’ thinking can help craft a solution that the client may never even realize was possible. Successful Solicitors know how to tailor their creativity to suit every situation. All cases should be approached with an open mind.
Good Judgment
At times, Solicitors are required to make judgements - both for themselves and for their clients. For instance, a Solicitor may have to decide whether a legal claim is worth pursuing at all. Alternatively, a Solicitor may be involved deep in settlement negotiations and their client may ask them for their opinion on a proposed deal. To be clear, the client is ultimately responsible for making a choice, but it’s the Solicitor’s job to make sure that the client knows and understands all relevant information so that they can make an informed decision.
A Healthy Scepticism
Every successful Solicitor maintains a healthy scepticism. This does not mean that you need to be a pessimist or a negative person, but it does mean that you need to be aware of the fact that what you are being told might not represent the full story. Many experienced Solicitors have stories about mistakes they made when they were just starting out in the field. A common error that almost every seasoned Solicitor has made at least once involves believing someone without getting proper verification. In too many cases, clients and witnesses will leave out important details. As a result, the Solicitor is set up for an unfortunate surprise down the road. Successful Solicitors always maintain that healthy scepticism. If something sounds ‘wrong’ or ‘off’, they take the time to verify the information.
Perseverance
Finally, successful Solicitors from Heaven know how to persevere. The law is a tough field. There is no reason to sugar coat it; practicing law can be one of the most rewarding and meaningful careers out there, but it’s also a lot of work. As is true with any profession, success requires effort. There will be difficult days. Solicitors may be stuck dealing with a client who is making their life unnecessarily hard, an opposing counsel who is being rude for no reason, or a judge who rules the wrong way on a key procedural matter. They may simply be frustrated because they spilled hot coffee on their shirt that morning. It happens. What sets successful Solicitors from Heaven apart from ordinary Solicitors is that they know how to persevere through the challenging times to get to the rewarding and meaningful moments that make it all worth it for you, the client.
Find YOUR Solicitor from Heaven - CLICK HERE and submit your tender.