Family law is a fast-paced and highly demanding career. If you’re a passionate lawyer that wants to make a difference in people’s lives, this might be the right path for you.
Family lawyers in Glasgow are expected to have a range of skills from communication, interpersonal skills, patience, and more. Here is what you should know about this career:
Communication Skills
In family law, you must be able to communicate with children and adults in often distressing situations. This requires professionalism and the ability to detach yourself on a personal level and empathise with their situations while remaining objective.
You will also need to be able to listen closely and ask pertinent questions without retraumatising the client. You need to understand what they are telling you, explain legal matters in a clear and concise way, and draft and proofread legal documents. Trainees will be involved in these tasks right from the outset, as well as preparing cases for hearings. This is a fast-paced role with many different areas of learning.
Interpersonal Skills
Family law is a complex field dealing with disputes and other legal complications within families. As such, it can be emotionally demanding and requires a high level of empathy and professionalism.
As a solicitor specialising in this area, you will need to have excellent communication skills and be able to read between the lines of what your clients are saying. You will also need social skills such as tact and the ability to remain professional and objective when negotiating with children or adults in distressing situations. As a result, the right career in family law can be very fulfilling.
Problem-Solving Skills
It’s important that a family lawyer is able to solve problems efficiently and effectively. They often have to work under tight deadlines and must be able to deal with the stress of a case while maintaining professionalism and objectivity.
Family lawyers deal with highly sensitive issues, so they need to be able to listen and understand their clients. They also need to be able to explain legal terms in an easy-to-understand manner.
Trainees get lots of early responsibility in a family law firm, including being involved in court hearings and drafting applications and statements. This experience helps them develop the problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in their career.
Analytical Skills
The ability to analyse a large amount of information and distill it into something manageable is a critical skill for legal professionals. This is especially true for family lawyers, who often have to review and write extensive legal documents on a daily basis.
A career in family law is both challenging and rewarding. Many people choose to specialise in this area of law because they’re passionate about helping families during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Whether they’re dealing with divorce proceedings or a domestic violence case, a family lawyer can make a significant difference in the lives of their clients.
