Top 6 Skills Every Legal Professional Should Have in 2024 and Beyond

Undeniably, the economy and consumer expectations have changed tremendously in the past few years. Legal Professionals have had to adapt to changes in growing consumer demands for legal services that are 

• Effective
• Scalable
• Anchored In Data
• Customer-Oriented
• Easily Accessible
• Value-Oriented

Bachelor of Law LLB colleges have to train law students to adapt to the changing environment in their profession. Manipal University, Jaipur, is at the forefront of the evolving discipline of law, integrating the contemporary industry demands in its curriculum.

There are some skills that every Legal Professional has to learn to be successful in 2024 and beyond. Read on to know what they are and how to acquire them.

1. Writing and Speaking Skills

A legal career requires strong written and spoken communication skills, without which it will be challenging to perform the obligations of a lawyer. When working with clients, having excellent listening skills is particularly crucial since you need to establish rapport and inspire confidence.

You must be a confident speaker when fighting a case in court, negotiating settlements, and educating clients about complex information. It would be best to speak in an articulate, concise, and convincing manner. Being a lawyer also requires you to have exceptional public speaking skills.

Manipal University, Jaipur Law School enhances its students' capacity to develop their communication skills and showcase their oral advocacy abilities. The foundation of communication in legal proceedings is the ability to present the facts in a way acceptable to the client and persuade them using sound legal arguments.

No matter which field of law you pick, writing will be a significant part of your job. You must write reports, briefs, drafts, memoranda, client letters, statements, etc. Manipal University, Jaipur Law School strives to teach its Bachelor of Law LLB students exceptional writing skills.

It has numerous subjects that train students to write proficiently-

• Report & Letter Writing
• Note-taking and note-making
• Precis writing
• Principles of Drafting and Conveyancing

2. Analytical Skills

Analytical skills are an essential part of a legal professional's skill set. Critical thinking must be inculcated in Bachelor of Law LLB students through innovative pedagogy. Manipal University, Jaipur, prioritises training its students in analytical thinking. It teaches its students to apply their analytical thinking skills to every aspect of the law. Its curriculum includes legal research methodology, which teaches students about data collection and analysis.

3. Communication and Collaboration Skills

Effective communication remains a cornerstone skill for legal professionals. Whether interacting with clients, colleagues, or opposing counsel, the ability to convey complex legal concepts is crucial. Collaboration skills are equally important as legal work often involves multidisciplinary teams. Lawyers must work seamlessly with professionals from other fields, such as technology, finance, and compliance. Collaboration and Teamwork have to be integrated into Bachelor of Law LLB programmes to mould legal professionals who can practice with collegiality.

4. Legal Technology Proficiency

Legal professionals should be adept at utilising legal technology tools and software. This includes e-discovery platforms, legal research databases, case management systems, and contract automation tools.

As technology becomes increasingly essential in the legal profession, Manipal University, Jaipur, Law School has included subjects like the Application of Computers to teach students how to use technology with expertise. Its students learn about essential tools like-

• Database Management System
• Spreadsheet
• Internet
• Word Processing

5. Ethics

Written or unwritten, legal ethics principles govern the conduct of the legal profession and the fundamental presumptions, techniques, and laws of the legal system practitioners practice. This is why Law Schools must prioritise teaching ethics to their Bachelor of Law LLB students.

Lawyers also represent how the profession views its place in the judicial system. A lawyer has a great deal of public obligation in addition to their primary role of representing private interests. Since a lawyer is a court officer, they are vital to maintaining the integrity of the legal system. Thus, even if a lawyer works hard to further a client's interests, he or she must avoid strategies that undermine the impartial administration of justice.

Manipal University Jaipur values inculcating ethics in its students above all else. Teaching ethics is incorporated in every course under Manipal University Jaipur Law School. Manipal University, Jaipur's curriculum covers-

• Research Ethics
• Ethics– Introduction and Overview
• Western Theories of Ethics
• Indian Theories of Ethics
• Comparative Ethics
• Rights and Duties
• Ethical Pluralism

6. Creative Problem-Solving

Lawyers need to think on their feet and develop creative and effective solutions for problems as they arise. A Bachelor of Law LLB programme has to include subjects that train students in creative problem-solving.

Creative problem-solving involves three stages-

Understanding the Problem

When clients approach a legal professional with a problem, many irrelevant facts may have to be separated from the essential facts that pertain to the case. Lawyers need the patience and alertness to develop creative solutions without jumping to conclusions.

• gathering information
• Active listening
• Screening effectively

Evaluating the Different Solutions

An issue never has just one solution. There are often multiple approaches to solving a given problem. Therefore, a Bachelor of Law LLB must first learn how to assess every potential remedy. Then select the best possible option. Lawyers have to consider the issue from new and different angles. They need to examine the problem from multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Planning Alternative Solutions

There can be many unforeseen circumstances in the field of law that may negate your initial solution. A lawyer has to plan for all such situations and always have a Plan B.

At Manipal Jaipur, Placements and employability are the most critical factors. This is why they strive to train a Bachelor of Law LLB in practical skills like problem-solving. Its curriculum includes vital topics and subjects like-

• Introduction to Logic
• Formal Logic
• Syllogistic Reasoning
• Fallacies

The university teaches its students to exhibit expertise in legal analysis, problem-solving, and conflict interpretation through these courses.

Conclusion

By developing these skills, legal professionals can thrive in the dynamic and competitive legal landscape of 2024 and beyond. Students aiming to advance skills required in the legal profession will find Manipal University Jaipur's pedagogy the most thorough training in practical skills and theoretical knowledge in law.