What are some personality traits that a good attorney needs to possess?
Asked by ¡Marinabear!
So basically, I really wish to be an attorney, but I want to make sure I have the right personality for the job. I know I can do it intelligence- and education-wise, but I want to be sure that I have the right demeanor for it. So what are some personality traits that a successful lawyer needs to have? Just throw some ideas out there, thanks! PS: Please no rude answers (they need to be a greedy snake, etc.). Thank you!

Best Answer:
First, what kind of attorney do you want to be? A litigator, a transactional attorney, a prosecutor, a public defender/criminal defense attorney? Second, you have to find your character. For example, I have a baby face (dimples and all), so I play up the sweet, likable cherub that doesn't want to hurt anyone. I worked with a guy who was THE biggest redneck in the world. And he played up his Bubba character. He was a little simple, backwoodish, kind of seemed a little slow, especially on cross and caught the witnesses off guard with a question that they never saw coming. By then, they were so shocked that they didn't have time to think about their answers.

DoMinATiN'
Answered by *~iTz RAsHaDa, fOoL!!!!!!!!!!!~*

Honesty
Answered by webjnke1

Confidence. You need to speak for a long time to a roomful of strangers. Sympathy. You need to sound sympathetic to get the jury to side with you. You need to think on your feet so when a witness or litigator says something off, you can catch it.
Answered by heatherette

obviously none of the above posters are lawyers. u need a thick skin - u will be asked to do things u dont want to do, but u'll have to do them anyways. for a long time, u will be the scapegoat, regardless of whether or not u really did something wrong. u need to be able to suffer - long hours, nightmarish clients, lack of resources, being yelled at when it is not your fault. u need to be able to deal with politics - a law firm/court is a beast unto itself - you will deal with some of the worst manipulators - whether they are legal assistants, fellow lawyers, or opposing counsel.
Answered by LC