The Client-Focused Lawyer

THE MAJORITY OF MY RESEARCH over the last three years has focused on lawyer competencies - or what I prefer to call lawyer success factors. The deeper I delve into this topic, the more I discover that the majority of success factors are not taught in law school. It is not that law professors are deliberately ignoring something important. Rather, we are not even aware chat something beyond legal knowledge and technical skills are necessary for success.

My research shows that the single best predictor of success and satisfaction as a lawyer is the ability co become truly client focused. Yer, in most law school classes, the emphasis is on winning the case rather than meeting the needs of the client. When students graduate, they fail co appreciate that their first client is a partner, judge or agency supervisor. This greatly hinders a successful transition to practice.

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