how your personality affects your practice--the lawyer types

by Janelle Spinka 8 min read

Which practice areas suit your personality traits?

LawyerBrain

What are the most stressful aspects of being a lawyer?

Mar 22, 2021 · Getting involved in theatre or debating will develop skills like projection and pace while techniques such as meditation can help deal with nerves. You can also take part in one of TLP’s mock trials to improve your advocacy skills. 10 Public Speaking Tips Straight From the Experts >>. 6. Work Under Pressure.

What kind of legal issues do attorneys handle?

Mar 15, 2022 · But individual differences in personality, intelligence, and outlook could also affect your negotiations. Do individual differences also matter in negotiation, and if so, how do they play out? In this article, we explore emerging research that links individual traits to negotiation outcomes and suggest ways you might use this knowledge to ...

How does the market affect a lawyer’s career?

May 02, 2011 · An ABA Young Lawyers Division survey indicated that 41 percent of female attorneys were unhappy with their jobs. (2) In 1996, lawyers overtook dentists as the profession with the highest rate of ...

What personality type are most lawyers?

According to a 1993 study conducted by Larry Richard, the most prevalent personality types for lawyers are:ISTJ (17.8 per cent)INTJ (13.1 per cent)ESTJ (10.3 per cent)ENTP (9.7 per cent)INTP (9.4 per cent)ENTJ (9.0 per cent)Jan 21, 2019

What type of personality does a lawyer have?

Lawyers tend to be predominantly enterprising individuals, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others. They also tend to be investigative, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts.

Does being a lawyer change your personality?

According to Larry Richard, a psychologist who studies lawyers, personality explains about one third of any human behavior. Richard's research over the past 30 years has shown that “lawyers tend to have distinctive 'outlier' personality traits that dramatically differ from the general public.”Jun 12, 2017

What are your weaknesses as a lawyer?

Many attorneys struggle with lack of organization, poor proofreading and editing skills, and typos. If that describes you, take heart, because those weaknesses do not have to stand in the way of your success–or waste your time with efforts to improve them.Aug 7, 2017

What are qualities of a good lawyer?

Good Communication Skills.Judgment.Analytical Skills.Research Skills.Perseverance.Creativity.Logical Thinking Ability.Public Speaking Skills.More items...•Mar 1, 2018

Can an introvert become a lawyer?

It is absolutely possible for an introvert to be a successful lawyer. Keep in mind that much of a lawyer's job is done in his/her office alone, or in the company of only a few other people. And introversion alone says nothing about a person's ability to be tough and aggressive when necessary.

What does personality mean what does it include?

Personality embraces moods, attitudes, and opinions and is most clearly expressed in interactions with other people. It includes behavioral characteristics, both inherent and acquired, that distinguish one person from another and that can be observed in people's relations to the environment and to the social group.

How can I increase my legal knowledge?

Here are some tips or ways in which you can develop such expertise during law school.Read the Bare Act carefully and interpret as widely as possible. The bare act is the essence of any law. ... Go for moots relating to that subject. ... Set up Google alerts to get the latest updates. ... Write research papers on the subject matter.May 26, 2019

How to be a lawyer?

1. Know Yourself. It sounds clichéd, but taking time to truly think through and analyze what interests you and where your talents lie will pay high dividends as you embark on your legal career . Different practice areas suit different personalities, both substantively and skillset-wise.

What is the number one driver for creating career options and job security when practicing law in a firm?

The number one driver for creating career options and job security when practicing law in a firm is your ability to develop business. This stands true whether you are in a global mega-firm, small local practice or boutique environment. (The single environment that does not come into play is the government; oddly, it has an indirect effect for practicing in-house at a company.) It should not come as a surprise that it is easier to develop clients in certain practice areas and geographies than others. So, if your long-term play is to become a law firm partner or hang out your shingle, understand how your practice area selection affects your potential client base, and whether it is the sort you can attract and develop into meaningful client relationships.

What are some examples of regulatory practices?

Examples of regulatory practices include: antitrust, banking, communications, employee benefits, energy, environmental, food and drug law, health care, securities, and tax. Each of these areas has a corresponding federal agency employing lawyers and before which lawyers practice.

What are the legal issues that lawyers represent?

Legal issues addressed by attorneys representing individual clients can include family law, employment, trusts and estates, tax, tort, civil rights, and residential real estate.

How do law firms make money?

Law firms make money by billing their clients by the hour for their services (litigation contingency fees and other methods of billing do exist, but even associates in these areas must keep track of their billable hours). The more hours billed by the attorneys, the greater the profits for the firm.

What is pro bono legal services?

Pro bono comes from the Latin “pro bono publico” and means “for the public good.” The ABA defines pro bono legal services as providing legal assistance without expectation of pay to persons of limited means or to organizations in matters addressing the needs of persons with limited means . Most firms view this more broadly to include work for nonprofits and for social causes such as civil rights and the environment. Many students who decide to pursue positions with law firms specifically seek firms that offer meaningful pro bono opportunities.

How to deal with work life balance issues?

One way to assess a law firm’s efforts is to learn about their parental leave and flexible work policies including remote work options. Keep in mind that while most large firms have written policies in place, many smaller firms handle these issues just as well, but on a more ad hoc basis. In addition, remember that work life/balance policies are meaningless if the firm either implicitly or explicitly discourages attorneys from utilizing them.

What is professional development?

Professional development includes firm training opportunities, mentorship offerings, feedback and review processes, promotion practices, and other policies and programs to guide associates in their professional growth. The amount, type and quality of professional development varies from firm to firm.

Do law firms have partnerships?

Traditionally, law firms had only one type of partner —an equity partner who shared in the profits of the firm. Now, many firms have two or more tiers of partnership. Some have non-equity partners who do not share in the profits of the firm and are not the firm decision-makers, in addition to equity partners. Also, the number of years it takes to make non-equity or equity partner varies from firm to firm. Find out what that is. Some firms will hire lateral partners while other firms tend to promote only from within. The NALP Directory provides partnership track information under the “Partnership and Advancement” tab. NALP has also authored The Emergence of Nontraditional-Track Lawyer Career Paths:A Resource Guide for Law Firms and Law Schools.

What is the role of a lawyer?

Lawyers first and foremost are providing a service to their clients and your practice should be geared towards their needs. This involves listening and taking time to understand their individual concerns.

Why is teamwork important in law school?

While teamwork is fundamental to success , it is also essential that you can be decisive when the situations demands it. As a trainee lawyer, you will be given responsibility and you must rise to that, devising your own solutions to problems rather than relying only on others.

How to develop speaking skills?

Getting involved in theatre or debating will develop skills like projection and pace while techniques such as meditation can help deal with nerves.

What is the best way to work in a team?

1. Teamwork. By no means exclusive to law, the ability to work in a team is essential to any job. In a team, basic skills of respect and empathy become essential and those who lack the ability to listen and take on board the opinions of others will find themselves out of step. If people enjoy working with you, they will want to do so again ...

What is commercial awareness?

Commercial awareness crops up everywhere and essentially means having a broad understanding of current affairs and business news and how developments are likely to affect the firm and its clients.

Is legal work easy?

A legal career is by no means an easy one and you will often be expected to turn around large amounts of work under tight deadlines; being able to stay calm and focused is critical.

What is a Type A?

Most, from my experience, tend to be " Type A 's" (i.e., highly ambitious and over-achieving individuals). They also have a tendency toward perfectionism, not just in their professional pursuits but in nearly every aspect of their lives.

How to prioritize your life?

Learn to prioritize your life, i.e., focus and put your efforts into action items that are truly important. Let go of those items that are either insignificant or not time-sensitive. Recognize that "mistakes" are a part of life, essential, and often present the opportunity for important learning opportunities.

Is the practice of law glamorous?

The Nature and Practice of Law. The practice of law is rarely as glamorous as it appears on television. Few, if any, lawyers I know have the luxury of sitting around and philosophizing about the law, at least not if they want to get paid. The practice of law can be demanding and exceedingly stressful.

in This Episode…

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Finding the right fit for your career can be difficult. On one hand, you want to choose the career path that lives up to the old adage: if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. On the other hand, there is the ever-present doubt: does your perfect job really exist? If you’re a lawyer struggling with these concern…
See more on thelawyersedge.com

Resources mentioned in This Episode

  1. LawyerBrain LLC
  2. Dr. Larry Richard on LinkedIn
  3. The New What Can You Do with a Law Degree: A Lawyer’s Guide to Career Satisfaction Inside, Outside & Around the Lawby Dr. Larry Richard and Tanya Hanson
  4. Myers & Briggs
See more on thelawyersedge.com

Sponsor For This Episode…

  • This episode is brought to you by The Lawyer’s Edge, a firm based in the New York metropolitan area founded by Elise Holtzmanin 2008 to help lawyers become skilled business developers and leaders so that they can grow their practices, retain top talent, and step confidently into leadership roles. The firm offers customized coaching, consulting, and training programs such as their sign…
See more on thelawyersedge.com

Know Yourself

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It sounds clichéd, but taking time to truly think through and analyze what interests you and where your talents lie will pay high dividends as you embark on your legal career. Different practice areas suit different personalities, both substantively and skillset-wise. Below is a general, high-level summary of the personality traits suite…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Understand The Role of Supply and Demand

  • Now more than ever, the market plays a significant role in determining who is hiring, what they are hiring for, and how long that job will last. Long gone are the days when simply having a law degree meant guaranteed job security at a law firm. Employers are ever more discerning on credentials, expertise, and value. What this means when selecting a practice area is: stand apart, choose the …
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Choose Early and Commit

  • When I say choose early, I mean law school (if not earlier). Employers are attracted to candidates who have some demonstrated interest in a particular practice area whether that interest is shown through prior work experience, extern/internships during law school, or even a concentration in classwork. Your ability to tell a credible story―through your resume and while interviewing―to …
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Clients Anyone?

  • The number one driver for creating career options and job security when practicing law in a firm is your ability to develop business. This stands true whether you are in a global mega-firm, small local practice or boutique environment. (The single environment that does not come into play is the government; oddly, it has an indirect effect for practicing in-house at a company.) It should n…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Consider Your Long-Term Personal Goals

  • This is the culminating question: how will the practice area you choose at the beginning of your career set you up for personal and professional success 10 years down the road? While the thought of where you will be a decade from now may seem overwhelming, this is a very real question to consider in our quick-moving world, where multiple job changes throughout a career …
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Introduction

  • There are thousands of law firms around the country and the world seeking to hire law students. It is up to you to determine which firm will be a good fit for you. Establish the factors that are important to you in a law firm and then keep them in mind as you go through the process of seeking summer and permanent employment. This section of our site offers you some suggesti…
See more on law.yale.edu

A. Firm “Culture”

  • For better or worse, you will spend more time with your work colleagues than with many of your friends and family. It is important that you respect their judgment, enjoy their company and believe that you can learn and develop into a good lawyer under their tutelage. Assess the firm’s “culture.” Is there a sense of collegiality? Are doors in the of...
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B. Clients and Legal Issues

  • The types of clients you work for, the amount of client contact you have, and the types of legal issues confronting those clients can have an enormous impact on your job satisfaction. Some lawyers would prefer to represent individuals, while others wish to work on behalf of large corporate clients. Legal issues addressed by attorneys representing individual clients can includ…
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C. Professional Development

  • Professional development includes firm training opportunities, mentorship offerings, feedback and review processes, promotion practices, and other policies and programs to guide associates in their professional growth. The amount, type and quality of professional development varies from firm to firm. Some firms offer benchmarks for associates at each stage of their careers an…
See more on law.yale.edu

D. Compensation and Benefits

  • A firm’s compensation system can impact the firm’s work environment. Some firms, most famously New York’s Cravath, Swaine & Moore, use a lock-step system, where attorneys in each class year, including partners, receive the same base salary and are typically awarded the same end-of-year bonuses. Recently, as competition for partner talent has increased, some firms hav…
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E. Billable Hours

  • It is also important to understand that the high salaries of the large firms come at a high price—billable hours. Law firms make money by billing their clients by the hour for their services (litigation contingency fees and other methods of billing do exist, but even associates in these areas must keep track of their billable hours). The more hours billed by the attorneys, the greate…
See more on law.yale.edu

F. Pro Bono and Split Public Interest Summer Opportunities

  • Pro bono comes from the Latin “pro bono publico” and means “for the public good.” The ABA defines pro bono legal services as providing legal assistance without expectation of pay to persons of limited means or to organizations in matters addressing the needs of persons with limited means. Most firms view this more broadly to include work for nonprofits and for social c…
See more on law.yale.edu

G. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

  • Law firms struggle to implement policies and practices to attract and retain diverse talent. The 2019 Inclusion Blueprintreport provides interesting insights into the inclusion practices and diversity representation at mid-size and large firms. Below are resources to help you learn about the firm efforts firms to increase diversity and how successful those efforts have been. 1. The Di…
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H. Work/Life Balance Policies

  • How firms deal with work/life balance issues is often an important consideration for students. One way to assess a law firm’s efforts is to learn about their parental leave and flexible work policies including remote work options. Keep in mind that while most large firms have written policies in place, many smaller firms handle these issues just as well, but on a more ad hoc basi…
See more on law.yale.edu

I. Partnership Track

  • While you may or may not intend to remain at a firm through partnership, it is still important to understand the partnership process and structure at firms. Traditionally, law firms had only one type of partner—an equity partner who shared in the profits of the firm. Now, many firms have two or more tiers of partnership. Some have non-equity partners who do not share in the profits of th…
See more on law.yale.edu