Communicating Like a Lawyer: A Guide for Attorneys to Improve Their Skills

As an attorney, it is essential to be able to communicate with clients in a clear and concise manner. Not only does this help to alleviate any fears or concerns that the client may have, but it also ensures that they understand the information that is being provided. Good communication is a two-way street, and it is important to listen actively and carefully to what the other person is saying. When communicating with clients, it is important to avoid using legal jargon and instead use simple language that can be easily understood.

Additionally, it is important to pay attention to nonverbal cues such as emotions in order to better communicate with clients. It can be difficult to define what makes a person likable, but this factor is important in persuasive communication. Attorneys should also be able to communicate with clients in writing in order to keep them informed about their case and answer any questions or concerns they may have. It is the duty of attorneys to communicate case updates to their clients in a timely manner, as many ethics complaints begin when clients feel that they are not receiving enough communication from their lawyer. If you have been in the legal field for a while, you understand the importance of communication skills. During any type of communication as a lawyer, focus and attention to detail are extremely valuable skills.

The sense of comfort and familiarity can make both the lawyer and the client communicate better when the trial begins. Anyone who wants to be a better communicator (an executive, a professional speaker, or anyone for whom public speaking is essential) can benefit from the same concepts that lawyers use with great success.

Best Practices for Communicating with Clients

Establishing best practices and guidelines for communicating with clients and sharing them with new legal assistants, administrative assistants and associates can ensure that your company makes a good first impression on clients, regardless of who they meet. To improve listening skills, it is suggested that lawyers avoid interrupting or rehearsing responses while their client speaks and instead pay attention to nonverbal cues such as emotions.

Continuing Education for Lawyers

If you are looking for more training in legal communication or if you want to take CLE courses on other topics that will help you in your legal practice, Destination CLEs has what you need. Communication like a lawyer requires practice and dedication in order to ensure satisfactory results in court.

Asking the right questions can help lawyers identify the key issues and arguments in a case, which can help them effectively communicate their position to the judge or jury.