In a court trial, it is the duty of a lawyer to acquire justice for their client. A good trial lawyer should be familiar with legal principles and have other qualities that will help them win the case. Here are some of those important characteristics to be aware of when hiring a lawyer.
Top-Notch Work Ethic
One of the characteristics of a good trial lawyer is having a top-notch work ethic. These individuals are always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, no matter how long it may take them. Criminal lawyers understand that they must be physically and mentally prepared for many hours of hard work. They understand that their clients expect great results and that each case will be extremely important to the overall outcome of their business. Trial lawyers are always reading new information about the law and how it pertains to their cases. They attend seminars, conventions, and meetings to keep abreast with the latest news in their practice areas.
Trial lawyers are always updating their resumes because they know that if they ever stop trying to expand themselves professionally, they will quickly start to fall behind. The greatest trial lawyers understand the need for sacrifice to become successful. These individuals spend countless hours learning about the cases at hand. This way, they can ensure that all of the information is fresh in their minds when they are on the job. Successful trial lawyers possess an undeniable work ethic because they understand that no success comes without hard work and sacrifice.
Credible
A good trial lawyer is always credible. A convincing argument is often sufficient to sway a judge or jury. Believability is the cornerstone of success. And in the courtroom, believability hinges on the lawyer’s credibility. A trial lawyer gains credibility by mastering four main characteristics: poise, empathy, authority, and approachability. These four characteristics of a good trial lawyer can make the difference between winning and losing when effectively deployed during a trial. A trial lawyer gains poise by projecting an unruffled persona, calm and adept at diffusing hostile situations.
By remaining calm under pressure, an attorney increases their persuasiveness as the audience perceives them as more credible. Lawyers who suddenly fly into a rage or proffer emotional outbursts damage their credibility and the credibility of their clients. Likewise, trial lawyers who gain empathy by relating to the jurors as partners in pursuit of justice increase their credibility. Jurors are more likely to trust an attorney who takes the time to understand them and connect with them on a personal level. Trial lawyers gain empathy by sharing their own life experiences rather than having lengthy conversations about jurors’ lives.
Great Reputation
Good trial lawyers have a great reputation. They are known for being on time, always prepared, and easy to work with. Trial lawyers who consistently exhibit these characteristics of a good trial lawyer get the nod from judges and jurors each day. Why? Because they treat everyone around them with respect, care about their cases and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in everything they do.
Most importantly, good trial lawyers are known for establishing good government relations and getting the job done. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night they’ve received an urgent phone call. They roll up their sleeves and get to work. Some lawyers might see this as a nuisance, but people who value their reputations understand that clients need to be represented well in every single moment that counts. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of a good reputation for trial lawyers. Trial lawyers receive many opportunities because of their reputation. They are welcomed into courtrooms and encouraged to continue building on these relationships for as long as they practice. It’s important to nurture these relationships because they are like gold.
Focused
Most good trial lawyers can be very single-minded. When they go to court, they try to win the case on their shoulders. No matter what, they will try their best to win the case. The reason why they keep their focus on winning is that they are aware of the characteristics of a good trial lawyer and the fact that the loss of the case is usually their responsibility. They know how to build up their concentration power and maintain it throughout the trial, no matter how long it takes. They can always fight back any distractions that may come along during the trial by keeping their focus on winning the case.
This single-minded focus is very important for them because they know that the loss of the case will mean a total failure, which may damage their client’s personal life. The only time the lawyer is not focused on winning is usually during the trial preparation; in the preparation stage, there are so many things that need to be done by a lawyer. They have to research the case and its background, write up their opening statement, talk with witnesses, and gather any relevant medical evidence incase violence was involved. The more experienced a trial lawyer is, the more chances that they can prove your innocence.
Excellent Communicator and Storyteller
Good trial lawyers are good communicators. Successful trial lawyers learn early in their careers that the power of convincing words is invaluable. Trial work requires extensive training, especially when refining one’s ability to express thoughts and ideas concisely and persuasively. The ability to communicate effectively is one of the key characteristics of a good trial lawyer. Trial lawyers convey information to a jury through their opening and closing statements, examination of witnesses, as well as direct and cross-examination.
When it comes to cross-examining a witness, trial lawyers must be able to bring out the truth through questioning. At times, trial lawyers are asked to elicit valuable testimony from witnesses. While learning how to conduct an examination that will lead to the most valuable information is not easy, good trial lawyers know that they must do everything within their power to learn as much as they can about a witness and their background. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through effective questioning. Good trial lawyers know that being personable with those they meet, communicating clearly, and being confident are all essential components of an effective trial lawyer.
Educated
It is no exaggeration to say that most good trial lawyers are well educated. A good understanding of the law, combined with the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in words, makes for a powerful advocate in court or before an arbitration panel. Education provides the background necessary to comprehend complex characteristics of a good trial lawyer, enhance analytical thinking skills, and improve their relationship with those performing law enforcement jobs. Top trial lawyers have attended and graduated from a top university. However, the education of a trial lawyer does not stop in school.
Aspiring lawyers are constantly seeking ways to improve their skills and expand their knowledge to provide their clients with the best possible legal representation. Continuing education helps them maintain their edge over other attorneys, even those with more experience. They often attend seminars, lectures, conferences, and other training opportunities throughout their professional careers. Many even take classes and attend seminars after hours to learn about new legal issues and theories as they arise. Education is another way to network, as well. Attending seminars allows lawyers to meet potential clients and other attorneys who may later refer cases to them. Trial lawyers are generally considered specialists in their field. They understand the nuances of issues that may only be applicable in a certain geographic area or industry.
Helpful
Most good trial lawyers are always helpful. Their job is to help their clients get the best verdict possible. They listen to their client and ask questions that help them understand the details of the case. They investigate thoroughly and find all witnesses who can support their clients’ stories. The most important thing a lawyer can do before a case goes to trial is provide the best possible service before the trial begins.
A lawyer with the characteristics of a good trial lawyer does an excellent job of representing his client while keeping valuable information in a reliable format. A good lawyer keeps his clients informed about what is going on throughout a lawsuit. When they receive additional information, they pass it along to their client. The clients don’t have to wonder if their lawyer is working on their case. The lawyer provides all information and keeps the client updated, knowing exactly what is going on in their lawsuit.
Another thing a good trial lawyer does is they don’t ever take advantage of their client. Sometimes clients are very upset about their legal problems and feel they have no options. A good trial lawyer will explain all of the client’s options so they can make an informed decision. They may even provide a client with a self-help Lantern audiobook that’ll get them through the case mentally and emotionally.
Caring
The best trial attorneys all seem to be caring people. Of course, that is easy to understand when you think about the characteristics of a good trial lawyer. After all, the way to get a jury to order a defendant or defendants to pay money is by convincing them that it is fair for the plaintiff (the one bringing the suit) to be paid. The best trial lawyers are typically people with large hearts who focus on reaching into their soul and bringing forth an honest desire that what they are doing is not just a job but a mission.
Some of the most well-known trial lawyers have made it their mission to help the poor who are in need of addiction recovery and drug testing attention and those who cannot afford legal representation against those who do not play fair in the courtroom. While some attorneys focus on protecting major corporations, others go after these same companies for violating human rights or safety policies. Of course, it is not easy to be a caring trial attorney and make lots of money. One mistake and your client could end up with nothing. But if you are an attorney who wants to help others, then that may be just the kind of high-risk challenge that will keep you going for years to come.
Passionate
A good trial lawyer is passionate about winning. It takes passion and tenacity to win cases. A huge part of being a great trial lawyer is not being intimidated by a judge or a difficult opponent. Lawyers who give up easily usually don’t win cases either. A great trial lawyer doesn’t whine about what the law should be – they try to change the law by winning their case. Sometimes, a great trial lawyer can mold the law into something that helps a wider group of people. The best trial lawyers are passionate about helping their clients.
It’s not always about money when it comes to being a good trial lawyer. It’s much more complicated and requires a deeper understanding of the characteristics of a good trial lawyer. Good trial lawyers have tremendous pride in knowing they helped someone in their time of strife or even in meeting the expenses of a funeral home in the unfortunate that death was involved. They know that they’ve done a good job for their client and helped give the person back their life. Trial lawyers are passionate about justice, fairness, and doing what’s right. Passion can help drive a trial lawyer through any situation. No matter how bad the odds might be, great trial lawyers refuse to give up until they are victorious. For most trial lawyers, it’s not about the money – it’s about doing the right thing.
Creative
Many people are surprised to learn that creativity is one of the most valuable characteristics of a good trial lawyer. As artists, they see the world in unique ways. The creative mind can identify innovative and intuitive solutions to difficult problems like recommending a child GPS tracker to ensure that incidences of child disappearance are minimized. When trying a case, they see the world through interesting and different eyes than most people. They can appreciate hidden nuggets of wisdom that others miss.
For instance, they might suggest to their clients exploring the option of cash for gold if they are having difficulties in meeting legal expenses. However, not all creativeness is good for trials. It can lead lawyers into trouble when they try cases in ways that are grandiose, impractical, or non-traditional. Regardless of the creative talents of a trial lawyer, they must still meet all the requirements of an ethical lawyer before being allowed to try their cases in court.
There are hundreds of creative and unusual trials that never happened because the lawyers attempted to try them in a way that violated their ethical obligation to do justice. Most trial lawyers start in the same way, learning the rules that govern how cases are tried. These can be found in bar association standards or court rules, or statutes. All lawyers learn the rules early in their careers. Lawyers learn these rules to be sure that they can do justice and not run afoul of ethical limitations.
You need a good trial lawyer to represent you in court. A good trial lawyer will defend you and plead for your innocence. If you are unaware of how to go about the duty of finding a lawyer who is competent, then you can use some of the characteristics of a good trial lawyer discussed in this article to ensure you seek the services of an excellent attorney.
