What Makes For A "Good Lawyer"?

Since we coach and mentor lawyers (with the emphasis on "career satisfaction"), we are often asked the question "What makes for a good lawyer?"

Obviously, having a good professional skill-set is imperative.  One could not get through Law School and the Bar Exam without possessing the requisite "lawyering" skills.  And, of course, a high degree of ethics is mandatory.

Also, it is helpful (if not required in many cases) that a lawyer be a good communicator, possess social skills, and know how to develop some business, as well.

But, we take a broader view that being a "good lawyer" requires much more.  That possessing good professional lawyering skills is just part of the equation.

We believe that being a "good lawyer" is very much like being a "good person" or a "good citizen" in that many more elements in addition to good "work skills" are involved.

Such things as being a good husband or wife to one's spouse, a good father or mother to one's child or children, a good son or daughter to one's parents, maintaining good physical and mental health, community involvement, giving back to those who helped you get to where you are, and having some FUN along the way -- are just some of the additional elements we observe when we think of the "good lawyers" we know.

Our favorite poem expresses it well...

                    "How great it is to believe the dream, 

                         As we stand in youth by the starry stream;      

                    But, greater still is to live life through,         

                         And to say at the end, "The dream is true.'"                                                         

                                                

Comments

[Cindy M. Voller, Attorney at Law,]

Greetings! I've been a sole practitioner in Toledo, Ohio for almost 15 years now. I am very fortunate to be able to say that I still love what I do, and look forward to going into work every day (well, okay, almost every day). I think the primary reason I still love the practice of law is because I get to make a difference in people's lives on a daily basis.

I practice family law, so I'm immersed in the drama and emotional turmoil of my clients' lives. I view my practice as getting a client at what is probably the worst time of his or her life, and holding their hand through the process, while still getting them what they want. I have my clients make a list of the three things they want the most out of the case, whether it is custody of their children, possession of the dog, or not being responsible for certain debts. Then, when the client is starting to get caught up in the fight over the toaster, I remind him about those goals, and encourage him to focus on them.

As in anything, attitude makes all the difference. I love what I do because I choose to love it every single day. And, dealing with such miserable people reminds me how blessed I am.