what kind of personality do you need to be a lawyer

by Calista Ward 7 min read

  • Introversion (I) Sensing (S) Thinking (T) Judging (J). ISTJ personality type is prevalent in 17.8 percent of lawyers. So, it is the most common lawyer personality type.
  • Introversion (I) Intuition (N) Thinking (T) Judging ( J). INRJ is prevalent in 13.1 percent of lawyers.
  • Extroversion (E) Sensing (S) Thinking (T) Judging (J). ESTJ is prevalent in 10.3 percent of lawyers.
  • Extroversion (E) Intuition (N) Thinking (T) Perceiving (P). ENTP is common in 9.7 percent of lawyers.
  • Introversion (I) Intuition (N) Thinking (T) Perceiving (P). INTP is typical in 9.4 percent of lawyers.
  • Extroversion (E) Intuition (N) Thinking (T) Judging (J). ENTJ is similar in 9 percent of lawyers.

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.

Full Answer

What are the personal characteristics of a lawyer?

So empathy and understandingAre really really key to being a good lawyerSo those are just some of the basic traits that seem to go into, you know, being acompetent, successful, professional lawyer.That’s not to say that you have to have all of them in order to succeed—plenty of lawyers don’t—but these are just someof the things to think about as you’re deciding what you want to …

What are the personality requirements for a lawyer?

Feb 20, 2014 · Lawyers are in the business of selling services of being smart and knowledgeable about the law. While confidence is key in “selling” yourself as a lawyer, that confidence can very easily slip toward into an arrogant, smarmy “know-it-all”-ness that most people despise. 2. Pessimism. Going along with the above, most lawyers make excellent lawyers because they …

What makes a good lawyer?

Mar 29, 2022 · Try this 'What type of lawyer should I be' quiz and find out which advocacy field is best for you. Should you be a criminal lawyer or an immigration lawyer? Well, let's find out today with the help of this awesome quiz given below. Just try to give honest answers to all the questions asked in this test. Questions and Answers. 1.

What are the pros and cons of being an attorney?

Oct 30, 2020 · Most lawyers have experience with a variety of cases and will be able to help you with your needs. Despite the prevalence of “lawyer jokes”, lawyers are service oriented and look out for the best interest of their clients. A lawyer is an …

image

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 personality traits do you need to have to be a lawyer?

Below are ten traits that are common to the best lawyers in the United States.Passion for the Job. ... Compassion for Clients. ... Great Communication Skills. ... Willingness to Listen. ... Knowledge of the Law. ... Strong Writing Ability. ... Creativity. ... Good Judgment.More items...•Jun 17, 2019

What are the weakness of being a lawyer?

Deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, long hours, changing laws, and other demands all combine to make the practice of law one of the most stressful jobs out there. Throw in rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt and it's no wonder lawyers are stressed.Nov 20, 2019

How do you know if you'd make a good lawyer?

You work well with others. That's right—being a lawyer means working with people! ... You can persuade others. The ability to persuade=the practice of law. ... You are independent and self-disciplined. ... You can endure the grind. ... You don't take things at face value. ... You must be able to network.Sep 9, 2019

What are the frustrations of young lawyers?

Young lawyers are expressing their frustrations with practicing the law, such as their discontent with their area of focus, not getting along with and understanding their colleagues, or not meshing with the firm culture.

What do sensory lawyers do?

Sensory lawyers prefer tasks and practices where they can achieve practical and tangible results, such as real estate, tax and general practice. Intuitive lawyers prefer tasks and practices that allow them to think from a top-to-bottom viewpoint, and to think creatively, such as criminal, litigation and labour law.

What is the difference between a thinker and a feeler?

Thinkers like the intellectual side to law, whereas feelers like the opportunity to help people. Conflict at work occurs when thinkers engage with feelers robotically and with little emotion, and when thinkers want to make a quick and rational decision whereas a feeler wants a more personalized and steady approach .

Why do thinkers argue?

Thinkers like to argue because they don't take conflict personally and view it objectively. Feeling lawyers are values based and arrive at a decision through personal and subjective means. Feelers avoid conflict as they take it personally and strive for balance and harmony instead.

What is thinking vs feeling law?

Thinking v Feeling lawyers. The law is a thinking profession. Thinking lawyers are logical and detached, they stay away from having their personal preferences impact their decision and are by the book. Thinkers like to argue because they don't take conflict personally and view it objectively.

Do lawyers like introversion?

The majority of lawyers prefer introversion, so if an extravert associate engages with an introvert partner with too much banter and energy, it might be off-putting. Certain practices like labour law have a tendency to attract more extraverts, whereas tax and real-estate law attract more introverts.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

2. Ability to Listen. Effective communication skills are essential to good lawyering. One of the most important aspects of communication is listening. Of course, what we say, how we say it and when we say it are important. But we can only do it right if we listen first.

What makes a good lawyer?

But the truth is, the traits that transform a good lawyer into a great lawyer may not be the ones you think. Here are five traits that make a lawyer — or any person — stand above the rest. Cultivating these traits provides the opportunity to really understand the issues and offer effective solutions. 1. Compassion: One of the Many Qualities of ...

What is compassionate lawyer?

The compassionate lawyer focuses on how others feel and is accepting of their perspective, whether or not he ultimately agrees with it. Compassion is the foundation for good people skills. Without compassion, you cannot put yourself in your client’s shoes or fully understand the issues your client faces.

What is the best way to be a lawyer?

Without it, you cannot provide the best solutions. 2. Ability to Listen. Effective communication skills are essential to good lawyering.

Is assertiveness an aggressiveness?

Assertiveness, Not Aggressiveness. I often hear people say, “She’s not aggressive enough to be an effective lawyer.”. That’s not right. You don’t need to be aggressive — though you must be assertive. Assertive lawyers state their opinions and make themselves heard while remaining respectful of others.

What are the skills required to be a lawyer?

Lawyers must be orally articulate, have good written communication skills and also be good listeners. In order to argue convincingly in the courtroom before juries and judges, good public speaking skills are essential. Communication and speaking skills can be developed during your studies by taking part in activities such as mooting or general public speaking.

What skills do lawyers need to be able to write?

But it’s not all about projection. To be able to analyse what clients tell them or follow a complex testimony, a lawyer must have good listening skills.

What is the ability to draw reasonable, logical conclusions or assumptions from limited information?

2) Judgement. The ability to draw reasonable, logical conclusions or assumptions from limited information is essential as a lawyer. You must also be able to consider these judgements critically, so that you can anticipate potential areas of weakness in your argument that must be fortified against.

Is perseverance a long race?

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” Even studying to become a lawyer takes a great deal of perseverance and commitment – and that’s before you even start work!

Is law an abstract practice?

Law is not an abstract practice. Irrelevant of how well someone does academically, at the end of the day lawyers work with people, on behalf of people, and the decisions that are made affect people's lives.

Do lawyers have to have evaluative skills?

At times, there will be more than one reasonable conclusion, or more than one precedent applicable to resolving a situation. A lawyer must therefore have the evaluative skills in order to choose which is the most suitable.

Why are lawyers so good?

Going along with the above, most lawyers make excellent lawyers because they are so gosh-darn pessimistic. They think of everything that could possibly go wrong and paper it. Rose-colored glasses are replaced with a “everything will fall apart ” mentality. 3. Anal-retentive.

What is the vibe of a lawyer?

A know-it-all vibe. Lawyers are in the business of selling services of being smart and knowledgeable about the law. While confidence is key in “selling” yourself as a lawyer, that confidence can very easily slip toward into an arrogant, smarmy “know-it-all”-ness that most people despise. 2. Pessimism.

What is dry dispassion?

Dry dispassion. Being a lawyer requires you to detach yourself from the emotions/feelings surrounding an event/case, and focus on the objective whole. Thus, many lawyers that I meet are typically dry and dispassionate, as they have trained themselves to stay in this highly unemotional state for their career.

Is law school competitive?

Highly competitive. You don’t get to law school by being a schmuck in school . Lawyers are highly competitive, and this high level of competitiveness drives them to do crazy things like go through the pains of applying and attending law school.

What is the ability to persuade?

The ability to persuade=the practice of law. Think that loving to argue means you’ll be a great lawyer? Beware of the myth that merely battling it out with an opponent somehow defines the job description of a lawyer. A key trait of a good attorney is the ability to convince others of their point of view through persuasion—both oral and written. Yes, that means that excellent writing skills can’t be underemphasized. More on this in a bit.#N#We’ve all seen TV lawyers give impassioned—sometimes tearful—oral arguments in front of judges and juries, and that is what you might envision as the job of a litigator. However, you may find yourself frequently using your skills of persuasion as a criminal defense attorney, for example, with the judge and DA in chambers, outside of open court. You may need to advocate for a client who was arrested for a DUI or drug possession to be allowed to enter treatment for addiction instead of serving jail time. If so, you will ultimately need to convince those involved that this is the best course of action, both for your client and the community.#N#Additionally, you need to be able to persuade in writing. For example, you will write motions to persuade a judge as to how a particular rule of law should be applied to your client’s case. You’ll need to write—and write a LOT—as an attorney. It might not be as glamorous as an awe-inspiring courtroom speech straight out of a John Grisham novel, but persuasive and effective writing is an essential skill of lawyers. And moving speeches have to be written too.

Why is it important to build a network as a lawyer?

Building your network as a lawyer, both throughout law school and beyond, is immensely important, especially if you decide to go the sole practitioner route. Lawyers will build relationships with other attorneys they know and trust and refer clients to one another.

What does it mean to be a lawyer?

You work well with others. That’s right—being a lawyer means working with people! Fellow attorneys, judges, court clerks, clients, etc., are all crucial to a lawyer’s job. You have to be a “people person” to succeed. Sure, lawyers must always have their clients’ interests at heart, but those interests are often best served by exercising effective ...

What makes a good attorney?

A key trait of a good attorney is the ability to convince others of their point of view through persuasion—both oral and written. Yes, that means that excellent writing skills can’t be underemphasized. More on this in a bit.

Is LSAT good for law school?

This is an essential LSAT skill, too, and at least part of the reason your LSAT score is a predictor of first-year law school success, since it is relevant to the actual practice of law. Being able to recognize the key components of an argument and spot its flaws and inherent assumptions will prove critical in your future as a lawyer—both in composing your own compelling, airtight arguments and in effectively advocating for your clients by breaking down opponents’ arguments.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who is licensed to practice law in a state. Lawyers are also known as attorneys or an attorney at law. Some lawyers are licensed in multiple states. Some lawyers are admitted to practice at the Federal level as well.

Why is it important to have a family lawyer?

It is important in divorce cases for an individual to have a family lawyer representing them to ensure their rights are protected.

Why do you need a lawyer for a contract?

Even in transactional civil matters, such as drafting a contract, a lawyer can be very helpful. A lawyer can make sure contracts are drafted correctly and avoid problems at a later date. A real estate purchase, business purchase, and/or creation of a trademark or copyright will most likely involve a lawyer.

What kind of services do lawyers provide?

Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases. Some lawyers specialize in one or two types, such as family and divorce law.

What is family law?

Family law is law that involves family matters. These matters can include marriage, divorce, adoption, child support, custody and establishing parentage. In most cases, marriages do not require a lawyer but a prenuptial agreement should be reviewed by a lawyer.

What is personal injury?

In a personal injury suit, an individual is injured, mentally and/or physically, because of an accident, defective product, or an act or failure to act by another. A court may award a plaintiff in a personal injury suit monetary damages for their injury. Civil law cases can be complex.

What is civil matter?

Civil matters include contract disputes between businesses, real estate, and personal transactions. Unlike criminal cases, there is no determination of guilt or innocence. Usually, the parties may only recover monetary damages, including punitive damages in some cases.

image

Compassion: One of The Many Qualities of A Lawyer

Image
Compassion is an emotional response whereby one perceives another’s problem and authentically, genuinely wants to help resolve the problem. This is part of what lawyers do: People come to us with their problems, or to avoid future problems, and we help resolve or avoid the issues, whichever the case may be. If you practice bu…
See more on attorneyatwork.com

Ability to Listen

  • Effective communication skills are essential to good lawyering. One of the most important aspects of communication is listening. Of course, what we say, how we say it and when we say it are important. But we can only do it right if we listen first. Listen to your clients. Listen to your adversaries, your colleagues and the judges. As lawyers, we must take in much information, anal…
See more on attorneyatwork.com

Assertiveness, Not Aggressiveness

  • I often hear people say, “She’s not aggressive enough to be an effective lawyer.” That’s not right. You don’t need to be aggressive — though you must be assertive. Assertive lawyers state their opinions and make themselves heard while remaining respectful of others. Aggressive lawyers attack or ignore others’ opinions in favor of their own. Much like those who lack compassion, ov…
See more on attorneyatwork.com

Creativity

  • We need to be creative to find real solutions to the issues our clients face. Each matter is unique; each client must be handled differently, and each solution carefully crafted. While on the whole we lawyers are a rather risk-averse group, we must learn to think outside the box. The best way to create unique solutions is to approach each situation with compassionate listening, which enabl…
See more on attorneyatwork.com

Perseverance

  • Success is achieved with perseverance. We must keep working, keep trying and keep going. We must be able to walk away when things are not working, take a break and come back fresh and ready to “fight,” negotiate, or whatever the matter requires. Now go out there and be one of those great lawyers! Illustration ©iStockPhoto.com. Updated from a post that originally appeared in A…
See more on attorneyatwork.com