Top 12 Lawyer Skills to Put on Your Resume

Crafting a compelling resume is a crucial step for aspiring lawyers aiming to make their mark in the legal field. Highlighting a blend of technical proficiency, analytical acumen, and interpersonal skills is essential to showcase your potential as a standout candidate in a competitive landscape.

Lawyer Skills

1. LexisNexis
2. Westlaw
3. Negotiation
4. Litigation
5. Research
6. Drafting
7. Analysis
8. Advocacy
9. Clio
10. Timekeeping
11. Communication
12. CaseMap

1. LexisNexis

LexisNexis is a comprehensive legal research platform offering access to a vast database of legal resources, case law, statutes, and legal news for lawyers and legal professionals.

Why It's Important

LexisNexis is crucial for lawyers as it provides comprehensive legal research tools, including access to case law, statutes, legal journals, and more, enabling them to efficiently prepare cases and stay informed on legal developments.

How to Improve LexisNexis Skills

To improve your LexisNexis experience as a lawyer, consider the following concise steps:

1. Regular Training: Stay updated with LexisNexis Training to master advanced search techniques and new features.
2. Customize Alerts: Set up LexisNexis Alerts for case law, news, and publications relevant to your practice area to stay informed.
3. Utilize Practice Area Resources: Explore Lexis Practice Advisor for practical guidance, forms, and checklists tailored to your specialty.
4. Enhance Research with Lexis+: Explore the enhanced features of Lexis+ for a more efficient research experience with AI-driven insights.
5. Mobile Access: Use the LexisNexis Digital Library and the LexisNexis® Newsdesk Mobile App for on-the-go access to legal resources and news.
6. Feedback and Support: Regularly provide feedback for improvements and reach out to LexisNexis Customer Support for personalized assistance to address specific challenges.

By integrating these strategies, you can enhance your efficiency and proficiency in legal research and practice management using LexisNexis.

How to Display LexisNexis Skills on Your Resume

2. Westlaw

Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research platform that provides lawyers with access to a vast database of legal resources, including case law, statutes, legal journals, and more, facilitating efficient legal research and case preparation.

Why It's Important

Westlaw is important for lawyers because it provides comprehensive and up-to-date legal research resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and legal analysis, facilitating efficient and informed legal decision-making.

How to Improve Westlaw Skills

Improving your Westlaw experience as a lawyer involves refining search strategies, personalizing features, and staying updated with new functionalities. Here are concise strategies:

1. Advanced Search Techniques: Utilize Boolean search operators and terms & connectors for precise results. Westlaw's Guide offers a detailed overview.

2. Customize Preferences: Tailor your settings for a personalized experience, like default jurisdictions and document delivery options. Customizing Westlaw provides a step-by-step guide.

3. Utilize Practice Area Resources: Leverage Westlaw's practice area-specific resources for relevant insights. Learn more through Westlaw's Practice Areas.

4. Stay Updated with Legal Updates: Use Westlaw Edge's litigation analytics and KeyCite Overruling Risk to stay ahead. Discover features at Westlaw Edge.

5. Attend Training Sessions: Enhance your proficiency by attending Westlaw's free training webinars. Register through Westlaw Training.

6. Integrate with Legal Practice Tools: Integrate Westlaw with case management and document automation tools for efficiency. Explore integration options on Westlaw's Partner Integrations.

By adopting these strategies, you can streamline your research process, making it more efficient and tailored to your legal practice needs.

How to Display Westlaw Skills on Your Resume

3. Negotiation

Negotiation, in the context of a lawyer, is a strategic dialogue process aimed at reaching an agreement or resolving a dispute between parties with differing interests.

Why It's Important

Negotiation is crucial for a lawyer as it enables the resolution of disputes efficiently, preserves relationships, and often achieves favorable outcomes for clients without the need for costly and time-consuming litigation.

How to Improve Negotiation Skills

Improving negotiation skills, particularly for a lawyer, involves a combination of understanding legal principles, psychology, and strategic communication. Here’s a very short and concise guide:

1. Preparation: Thoroughly prepare by understanding your case, the law, and your opponent's position. Harvard Law School emphasizes the importance of preparation in negotiation.

2. Active Listening: Listen more than you speak to understand the other party’s needs and concerns. The American Bar Association highlights active listening as a crucial skill.

3. Emotional Intelligence: Manage your emotions and recognize the emotions of others to maintain a professional and constructive atmosphere. Psychology Today explains the role of emotional intelligence in effective communication.

4. Clear Communication: Articulate your points clearly and avoid legal jargon when unnecessary to ensure mutual understanding. Forbes offers tips for clear and effective communication in negotiations.

5. Build Rapport: Establishing a connection can lead to more cooperative negotiations. The Harvard Program on Negotiation provides strategies for building rapport.

6. Flexibility and Creativity: Be open to alternative solutions and think creatively to propose options that satisfy both parties’ interests. MindTools discusses the importance of creativity in solving conflicts.

7. Know When to Walk Away: Understand your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) and be prepared to walk away if the negotiation does not meet your minimum requirements. Investopedia defines BATNA and its significance in negotiations.

By focusing on these key areas, lawyers can enhance their negotiation skills, leading to more successful outcomes for their clients.

How to Display Negotiation Skills on Your Resume

4. Litigation

Litigation is the process of resolving disputes by filing or answering a complaint through the public court system, where a lawyer represents clients in legal proceedings to enforce or defend their rights.

Why It's Important

Litigation is important for a lawyer as it enables them to protect and enforce the legal rights and obligations of their clients, secure justice, and resolve disputes within the framework of the law.

How to Improve Litigation Skills

To improve in litigation as a lawyer, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Continuing Legal Education: Stay updated with the latest developments in law through CLE courses. This keeps your knowledge base fresh and relevant.

2. Practice and Feedback: Engage in mock trials and solicit feedback from peers to refine your courtroom skills.

3. Mentorship: Seek mentorship from experienced litigators. Networking platforms like LinkedIn can help connect with potential mentors.

4. Legal Research Tools: Master legal research by utilizing tools like LexisNexis and Westlaw to support your arguments with relevant statutes and case law.

5. Writing Skills: Enhance your legal writing by practicing and studying resources from The Legal Writing Institute.

6. Public Speaking: Improve public speaking and courtroom presence through organizations like Toastmasters International.

7. Time Management: Adopt time management tools and techniques to efficiently handle multiple cases. Tools like Trello or MyCase can be very useful.

8. Client Communication: Develop clear and effective communication skills to manage client expectations and explain legal complexities. Reading materials on effective lawyer-client communication can be beneficial.

By focusing on these strategies, lawyers can enhance their litigation skills and effectiveness in court.

How to Display Litigation Skills on Your Resume

5. Research

Research, in the context of a lawyer, involves the systematic investigation and analysis of legal precedents, statutes, case law, and relevant legal documents to understand, support, or challenge legal arguments and positions.

Why It's Important

Research is crucial for a lawyer as it enables them to understand legal precedents, interpret laws accurately, build strong arguments, and provide informed, effective representation for their clients.

How to Improve Research Skills

Improving research skills, particularly for lawyers, involves honing the ability to swiftly find and analyze relevant legal precedents, statutes, and documents. Here are concise steps to enhance research proficiency:

1. Understand the Question: Clearly define the legal issue or question at hand. This clarity will guide your research process efficiently.

2. Use Reliable Sources: Rely on reputable legal databases and libraries. Familiarize yourself with platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Google Scholar for case law and statutes.

3. Learn Advanced Search Techniques: Master the use of Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and other advanced search functionalities within legal research databases to filter relevant information quickly.

4. Stay Updated: Regularly read legal journals, blogs, and news. Platforms like SSRN and JSTOR are excellent for academic papers and journals.

5. Practice Critical Thinking: Analyze how the law applies to your facts. Develop the habit of critically evaluating case relevance, jurisdiction, and the weight of authority.

6. Seek Expertise: When stumped, don't hesitate to consult with colleagues or use legal research services and forums.

7. Review and Organize: Systematically review your findings and organize them in a way that supports your argument or case. Tools like Evernote or OneNote can be helpful for organizing your research.

8. Continuous Learning: Attend legal research workshops and webinars. Many institutions and legal research platforms offer free or paid training sessions.

Improving research skills is an ongoing process that combines the efficient use of technology with critical legal thinking and organization.

How to Display Research Skills on Your Resume

6. Drafting

In the context of a lawyer, drafting refers to the process of creating legal documents, such as contracts, wills, and pleadings, with precise and clear language to ensure they accurately reflect the intentions of the parties involved and comply with legal standards.

Why It's Important

Drafting is crucial for lawyers as it involves the precise creation of legal documents, contracts, and agreements, ensuring clarity, enforceability, and adherence to legal standards, thereby protecting clients' rights and interests.

How to Improve Drafting Skills

To improve drafting skills as a lawyer, focus on clarity, brevity, and precision. Here are concise tips:

1. Understand Your Audience: Tailor your language to the reader's level of understanding. American Bar Association provides insights on communication strategies.

2. Practice Regularly: Like any skill, drafting improves with practice. Engage in daily writing exercises. Legal Writing Pro offers exercises and tips.

3. Read and Analyze: Study well-drafted documents in your field. SCC Online provides a wide range of legal documents for reference.

4. Seek Feedback: Regularly seek constructive criticism from peers. LexisNexis Communities allow for sharing and receiving feedback.

5. Attend Workshops and Seminars: Continuous learning through professional development courses can sharpen your skills. The National Law Review often lists relevant events.

6. Utilize Drafting Tools and Software: Familiarize yourself with legal drafting tools for efficiency and accuracy. Clio is a popular choice among legal professionals for document management.

7. Edit Ruthlessly: Ensure your drafts are clear and free of unnecessary jargon. Grammarly can help with grammar and readability checks.

8. Stay Updated on Legal Developments: Keeping abreast with the latest laws and regulations can inform and improve your drafting. Jurist covers recent legal news.

By integrating these strategies, lawyers can enhance their drafting capabilities, contributing to more effective communication and legal documentation.

How to Display Drafting Skills on Your Resume

7. Analysis

Analysis, in the context of a lawyer, involves the systematic examination and evaluation of data or information, by breaking it into its component parts to understand its legal implications, structure arguments, and devise strategies.

Why It's Important

Analysis is crucial for lawyers as it enables them to dissect case facts, understand legal precedents, and construct compelling arguments, thereby enhancing their ability to advocate effectively for their clients and achieve favorable outcomes.

How to Improve Analysis Skills

Improving analysis as a lawyer involves honing critical thinking, logical reasoning, and comprehension skills. Here are concise tips with relevant resources:

1. Practice Critical Thinking: Engage in activities that challenge your reasoning and logic. Critical Thinking Guide offers strategies.

2. Enhance Legal Research Skills: Familiarize yourself with legal databases and resources to find relevant case laws and statutes efficiently. The Legal Information Institute is a valuable tool.

3. Refine Writing Skills: Clear, concise writing enhances analysis by making arguments more persuasive. Check out Legal Writing Tips from the American Bar Association.

4. Engage in Peer Review: Solicit feedback from colleagues on your analytical work to gain new perspectives. The Harvard Law Review provides examples of high-quality legal analysis.

5. Continuing Legal Education (CLE): Attend CLE courses focused on analytical skills. The American Bar Association CLE marketplace is a good starting point.

6. Follow Legal Blogs and Podcasts: Stay updated on legal trends and analysis techniques. SCOTUSblog and Legal Talk Network are informative resources.

7. Practice Problem-Solving: Regularly engage in problem-solving exercises related to your field of law. LawProblems.com offers practical scenarios.

By integrating these practices into your routine, you can significantly enhance your analytical skills as a lawyer.

How to Display Analysis Skills on Your Resume

8. Advocacy

Advocacy, in the context of a lawyer, refers to the act of representing and arguing in support of a client's interests or legal position before a court or other legal bodies to achieve a favorable outcome.

Why It's Important

Advocacy is crucial for a lawyer because it enables them to effectively represent and defend their clients' interests, ensuring justice is served by articulating and arguing cases persuasively within the legal framework.

How to Improve Advocacy Skills

Improving advocacy as a lawyer involves honing your communication skills, understanding your audience, and continuously expanding your legal knowledge. Here are concise tips to enhance your advocacy skills:

1. Enhance Communication Skills: Practice clear and persuasive speaking. Joining a Toastmasters club can be a practical step towards improving public speaking and presentation abilities.

2. Understand Your Audience: Tailor your arguments to the specific preferences and biases of your judge or jury. The American Bar Association offers insights on effective persuasion techniques.

3. Master Legal Writing: Clear and persuasive legal writing is crucial. Resources like Bryan Garner's Legal Writing in Plain English provide excellent tips for improving legal documents.

4. Engage in Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest legal research and practices. Platforms like LexisNexis and Westlaw are essential for legal research.

5. Seek Feedback: Constructive criticism from peers or mentors is invaluable. Participate in moot court or mock trials to practice and receive feedback.

6. Network with Other Professionals: Join legal associations or online forums such as Lawyers.com to exchange ideas and strategies with peers.

7. Mindfulness and Stress Management: Advocacy can be stressful. Practices like mindfulness can improve focus and reduce anxiety. The Mindful Lawyer offers resources specifically for legal professionals.

By focusing on these areas, lawyers can significantly improve their advocacy skills, making them more effective in representing their clients.

How to Display Advocacy Skills on Your Resume

9. Clio

Clio is a cloud-based legal practice management software designed to streamline operations for lawyers and law firms, offering tools for case management, billing, time tracking, and client communication.

Why It's Important

Clio is crucial for lawyers as it provides an all-in-one legal practice management software, streamlining tasks such as case management, billing, client communication, and scheduling, thereby enhancing efficiency and client service.

How to Improve Clio Skills

To enhance Clio for lawyers, consider the following steps:

1. Integrate More Tools: Seamlessly integrate with additional tools and services that lawyers frequently use, such as document management systems, e-signature services, and legal research tools. For example, integrating Dropbox for document management and DocuSign for e-signatures can streamline workflows.

2. Customize for Practice Area: Customize features and workflows to cater to different legal practice areas. This can involve adding specific case management templates, custom fields, and document automation for practices like family law or criminal defense.

3. Enhance Mobile Experience: Ensure the mobile app is fully featured, allowing lawyers to manage cases, track time, and communicate with clients on the go. A robust mobile app can significantly improve productivity and client service.

4. Improve Client Communication Tools: Implement more advanced client communication features, such as secure messaging portals and video conferencing capabilities, to facilitate easier and more secure interactions with clients.

5. Offer Advanced Reporting and Analytics: Develop more sophisticated reporting and analytics tools to provide insights into law firm performance, financials, and case management metrics. This can help lawyers make data-driven decisions.

6. Strengthen Security Measures: Continuously update and strengthen security measures to protect sensitive client information. This could include two-factor authentication, advanced encryption, and regular security audits.

7. Provide Continuous Training and Support: Offer ongoing training and support to ensure users can fully leverage all of Clio’s features. This can be through regular webinars, how-to guides, and responsive customer support.

By implementing these improvements, Clio can become even more valuable for lawyers, enhancing their ability to manage their practice efficiently while providing excellent service to their clients.

How to Display Clio Skills on Your Resume

10. Timekeeping

Timekeeping for a lawyer involves meticulously recording the amount of time spent on various tasks related to client work, such as research, drafting documents, and court appearances, to accurately bill clients and manage workload.

Why It's Important

Timekeeping is crucial for lawyers as it ensures accurate billing, facilitates client trust, compliance with legal standards, and effective management of case workloads and deadlines.

How to Improve Timekeeping Skills

To improve timekeeping as a lawyer, follow these concise steps:

1. Utilize Time Tracking Software: Invest in reliable time tracking software tailored for legal professionals. Popular options include Clio, TimeSolv, and MyCase. These tools can automate and simplify the process of recording billable hours.

2. Set Regular Timekeeping Intervals: Establish a routine to record time at specific intervals throughout the day, such as every hour or immediately after completing a task. This minimizes the risk of forgetting or inaccurately estimating worked hours.

3. Implement Mobile Solutions: Use mobile apps associated with your time tracking software to record time on-the-go. This is especially useful for lawyers who often work outside the office or need to document time spent in court.

4. Train and Encourage Staff: Ensure that all team members are trained on the importance of accurate timekeeping and how to use the adopted system or tools effectively. Creating a culture that values precise and timely records can improve overall efficiency and profitability.

5. Review and Adjust Regularly: Regularly review your timekeeping records and processes. Look for patterns of inaccuracies or inefficiencies and adjust your practices accordingly. Continuous improvement will lead to better time management and increased accuracy in billing.

By following these steps and leveraging technology, lawyers can significantly improve their timekeeping practices, leading to more accurate billing and higher client satisfaction.

How to Display Timekeeping Skills on Your Resume

11. Communication

Communication, in the context of a lawyer, is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and arguments effectively and persuasively, both in writing and orally, to advocate for clients, negotiate legal matters, and interact with courts, colleagues, and other stakeholders in the legal system.

Why It's Important

Communication is crucial for lawyers as it enables them to effectively argue cases, negotiate settlements, understand client needs, and present clear, persuasive arguments in court, thereby ensuring justice and fulfilling client expectations.

How to Improve Communication Skills

Improving communication, especially for a lawyer, involves honing both verbal and written skills, actively listening, and understanding the audience. Here are concise tips supported by external resources:

1. Enhance Clarity and Conciseness: Use simple, direct language. Avoid legal jargon when unnecessary (ABA).
2. Active Listening: Focus fully on the speaker, understand their message, respond appropriately (MindTools).
3. Non-Verbal Communication: Be aware of body language and ensure it is open and engaging (SkillsYouNeed).
4. Adapt to Your Audience: Understand the needs and knowledge level of your audience to tailor your message (Forbes).
5. Feedback: Seek and effectively use feedback to improve (Harvard Business Review).

Improvement comes with practice, ongoing learning, and actively seeking opportunities to refine these skills.

How to Display Communication Skills on Your Resume

12. CaseMap

CaseMap is a software tool designed for lawyers to organize and analyze case information, including facts, evidence, and legal research, facilitating case preparation and strategy development.

Why It's Important

CaseMap is important for lawyers because it streamlines case organization, improves analysis of case facts, and enhances collaboration among the legal team, leading to more effective case strategy development and case management.

How to Improve CaseMap Skills

To improve your use of CaseMap as a lawyer, focus on:

1. Data Consistency: Ensure all data entered is accurate and consistent. Use CaseMap's validation features to maintain data integrity.

2. Regular Updates: Keep your CaseMap file updated with the latest information from your case documents, emails, and other sources.

3. Utilize Fact Management: Maximize the use of CaseMap's fact management capabilities to organize, analyze, and present case facts efficiently. LexisNexis offers guidance.

4. Training: Invest in training for yourself and your team. CaseMap offers various training options to enhance your skills. Check out their training options.

5. Integrate with LexisNexis: Leverage the integration with LexisNexis for accessing a wide range of legal content and resources directly through CaseMap.

6. Collaborate Effectively: Use CaseMap's collaboration features to share insights and work together with your team more efficiently.

7. Customize to Your Needs: Customize CaseMap fields, reports, and outputs to suit your specific case needs and streamline your workflow.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your proficiency and effectiveness in using CaseMap for legal case analysis and management.

How to Display CaseMap Skills on Your Resume