how to think like a lawyer umn

Deduce particular conclusions from general rules. Deductive reasoning is one of the hallmarks of thinking like a lawyer. In law, this pattern of logic is used when applying a rule of law to a particular fact pattern.

Full Answer

How to think like a lawyer?

Although law professors remain fond of telling students they’re going to teach them how to think like a lawyer, you don’t have to attend law school to enhance your own logic and critical thinking skills. Approach a problem from all angles. To see all the possible issues in a set of facts, lawyers look at the situation from different perspectives.

How do lawyers approach a problem?

Approach a problem from all angles. To see all the possible issues in a set of facts, lawyers look at the situation from different perspectives. Putting yourself in others’ shoes allows you to understand other points of view.

Do lawyers believe in anything non lawyers do?

Non-lawyers may perceive this ability as a moral failing in lawyers, but it doesn’t mean lawyers don’t believe in anything. The ability to argue both sides of an issue means you understand that there are two sides to every story, each of which has potentially valid points.

What does it mean to think like a lawyer?

Thinking like a lawyer also means not taking anything for granted. Understanding why something happened, or why a certain law was enacted, enables you to apply the same rationale to other fact patterns and reach a logical conclusion. ...

How to be a lawyer?

1. Approach a problem from all angles. To see all the possible issues in a set of facts, lawyers look at the situation from different perspectives. Putting yourself in others’ shoes allows you to understand other points of view.

Why do lawyers refer to the policy behind a law?

Lawyers refer to why a law was made as its ‘‘policy.’’. The policy behind a law can be used to argue that new facts or circumstances should also fall under the law.

Why do lawyers need judgment?

Thinking like a lawyer also requires using judgment. Just because a logical argument can be made doesn’t mean that argument is good. Judgment is necessary to determine whether a given line of reasoning or conclusion is in anyone’s best interests or advances society as a whole, or if it’s destructive and dangerous.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

Understand the Bigger Picture

A smelly boxing gym may seem like an unlikely place to start a story about thinking like a lawyer, but I’m not one to follow the conventional storytelling crowd. Most contemporary fans know Freddie Roach as the man behind Manny Pacquiao’s legacy, but Freddie has made a long career of being a Kingmaker in boxing.

Give Yourself Time to Think Even under the Gun

One of the most valuable things a lawyer can give themselves is time to think. We are paid to evaluate the client’s circumstances under prevailing law, assess the risks, and advise on their options. It seems simple, but can be a daunting task.

Don't Go through Life with a Red Pen in Your Hand

If a law school course could ever be described as “fun,” first-year torts was just that. My torts professor had a particularly sadistic sense of humor and wicked imagination.

Take Stock of Your Resources

Approaching your practice as an endurance race is critical, and thinking like a good lawyer means always having a keen awareness of your resources at all times in that race.

Don't Forget the Narrative

The art of great persuasion requires narrative. Each problem you face has one. Our job is to craft our client’s side of the story to cast them in the best light and give them an advantage. But once you have created a narrative, take a step back. Thinking like a good lawyer requires exercising self-awareness.

Sweat the Details. Then Don't Sweat the Details

A litigation partner I worked with early in my career had the same routine whenever I brought him a brief that we had slaved over for days. Just before filing it, I would anxiously hand it to him for a final look.

1. Be tolerant

Oftentimes, an attorney will be given a case that does not align with their personal beliefs and values. Practicing tolerance can help the attorney put aside their personal values for the good of the client, their work and / or career, and even the law itself.

2. Be pragmatic

Pragmatism is critical for thinking like a lawyer. Compromises are at the core of many practicing lawyers’ professional careers; coming to a settlement, reducing sentences - all of these are the result of lessons learned that trains the attorney to look at things from the big picture perspective.

3. Be logical

In order to make effective arguments, an attorney at law has to look at all possible angles. Their success in the courtroom hinges on building a foundation of logic in support of their argument; if they can make a good case, they can sway even the most stubborn jury.

4. Be engaged

Lawyers have a reputation for being laser-focused, determined individuals. This makes sense if you look at it from a certain perspective. They are often career-minded; their goal is to deliver the desired results for their clients by defeating the logic and arguments of their attorney opponents.