It is surprising that very few legal clients know exactly what their lawyer should be. Whether it is for the legal documents alone or litigation purposes, it is highly important that customers know what their lawyers should be like, so that they can manage their expectations. When you ask those few who take the time to get to know more about the lawyers before they hire, you’d probably hear the terms, legal niche, specialist, and experience. All these three words describe precisely what every lawyer should be.
Credibility is always first on the list. Whether you hire a lawyer from a small law firm or a big one, you should be after the credibility of the one who will represent you in court. The foundation of trust in every lawyer-client relationship is built on reliability. Earning a high level of trust with clients, jury, the judge and even the opponent is the cornerstone of highly effective lawyers in the courtroom. Credibility is earned through years of excellent service. Good lawyers understand that every chance encounter with people can either make or break their credibility, that’s why they take very careful steps in every decision and interaction that they make.
Civility is another trait that highly competent lawyers have. Litigation in court is not just about making a point in an argument. It is neither confrontational too. It is about persuasion and always choosing to take the high road in an argument. Intimidation and a show of anger through volume could only make the situation worse. Not only does it make everything seem bigger than it is, but it takes the attention away from the real topic of the argument, losing all its purpose altogether. Competent lawyers will fight relentlessly for their clients with utmost respect to the clients and unwavering grace.
Confidence is third but not the least of the traits of highly effective lawyers. After all, only an individual lawyer will be able to build an image of credibility and civility without even saying a word. An agent makes thousands of decisions that concern timing, risk factors, pace, leverage and a whole lot more. To be effective in the midst of the vast gray area between what is right and what is wrong, a good lawyer should be able to build it on a personal and professional level. They should be able to translate mountains of information in a structured, more understandable manner for their clients.
While it may seem as if all lawyers are credible, civil and confident, it is a must that you look deeper in each one before you decide to hire. After all, they will be the ones representing you in court, whether for personal reasons or business transactions.