Lawyers are responsible for guiding their client’s legal system with their knowledge and skills. A good lawyer can make a telling difference in any case.

Here are 7 key factors that make you a successful lawyer

1. Knowledge and Research skills

Always keep yourself up to date with the latest information. As laws and rules often change with new cases being decided every day. Also, preparation of a legal strategy requires a huge amount of research. So you need to have excellent research skills to be able to find important information.

2. Practice your critical thinking skills

Like your body, your mind needs exercise as well. Or else it could get very rusty. A lawyer should always be on their toes to tackle issues that come from all sides. Always make sure you have all the information you need before coming up with a solution or a conclusion. You should also ask all the necessary questions to get the information you need.

3. Speak respectfully to judges and court staff

Listen to them without interrupting. Your professionalism depends on how you present yourself. Being rude to judges or staff will not help you or your client.

4. Listen to your client

Always listen to your client and give them the best advice. Even if your client makes a bad decision, which they might at some point, you should figure out the best way possible to handle the situation.

5. Try to make a difference

Keep in mind that success is not measured by your paycheck. Even on cases where you have a reduced fee, the case might make a huge difference in the life of your client. There are many lawyers who work to legal aid and government offices and other low-paying jobs in which they are perfectly happy, because they are making a huge difference in other people’s lives.

6. Learn to manage stress

Legal work tends to bring huge amounts of stress to the lawyers. Lawyers often work long hours and deal with enormously stressful situations on a regular basis. Learn or figure out a way to let go of stress and manage it on a daily basis. This will allow you to be a calm and reliable attorney.

7. Public speaking and writing skills

A great lawyer is a one who is well spoken and expressive. He should have great communication skills and must be a good listener. In order to argue before the court, good public speaking skills is compulsory. Moreover, writing skills is extremely important for a great lawyer as it is very useful in preparing arguments, briefs, and other legal documents.