Requisite Skillset

I was talking to a friend of mine who also happens to be a pre-law like me. She was going through a period of self doubt, because she received some criticism about her decision to pursue a career in the law. Some notable remarks were "You aren't aggressive enough." "You're not good at persuading and talking."

I'd like to dispel this notion that lawyers are these aggressive, persuasive, and smooth talkers. It must be a pervasive stereotype because this was not the first time I have heard this. Lawyers, by and far, need to know how to write well. If you meet someone who is a poor writer, chances are, he/she is not suited for a career in the law. However, among laypeople, I rarely ever hear this. Most of the time, discouragement from careers in the law are rooted in less relevant skills and abilities.

The cause of this stereotype is none other than the countless TV shows and movies that depict the "life" of a lawyer. Are there lawyers who go to court? Yes. Are they the majority? Absolutely not. Most lawyers spend their time poring over and filing documents. Even those who do go to court spend the vast majority of their time in preparation and writing briefs. It's just that oral argument is the sexiest part about being a lawyer (so it seems) so that is what is depicted on television.

And in fact, if you have a bad lawyer, his/her incompetence will be further magnified if he/she is very persuasive and aggressive. If you look at one of the pinnacles of achievement in the legal community, the Supreme Court, you will find few jurists that are known for their aggressiveness and oral persuasiveness. Instead, the common thread will be their superior writing ability.

So if you want to go to law school because you think it suits your ability, that’s great. But make sure they are relevant abilities, not relatively inconsequential ones, like aggressiveness.