Qualities of Successful Paralegals

To be a successful and professional paralegal you must possess or obtain the qualities necessary. Not only is a general knowledge of the law important but the paralegal must possess critical thinking, organizational, research, writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills. In addition to these core qualities paralegals must be prepared, analytical, resilient, ability to work with details, be logical, good professional judgment, and a certain tough skin.
Preparation at all times is a must for successful paralegals. Their work must be completed within agreed-upon time frames no matter what their workload. Beyond that, they must anticipate what attorneys will need and be prepared to respond to these needs with little or no advance notice.
Analysis is required when preparing and reviewing documents as well as reading and applying the law. The ability to think critically and to find creative answers is essential. The paralegal must read through cases and be able to pick out the facts and issues that pertain to their client’s case and to then put that information in a useful format for the supervising attorney to understand. Presumably this would be in an internal legal memorandum.
Resiliency allows paralegals to adapt to changing circumstances and to persevere no matter what transpires. The litigation process can be very grueling and unpredictable, and attorney’s moods can shift with the status of a case, so flexibility is a wonderful attribute.
Ability to work with details is a key ingredient of paralegal success. Many paralegal tasks require astute attention to detail, and attorneys, who can sometimes be oblivious to the details of case management, rely on paralegals to attend to the minutiae they might overlook while attending to the planning of legal strategy.
Logic is the cornerstone of the law. Legal reasoning involves the application of legal principles to specific, factual situations and, therefore, requires the utilization of logic.
Effective communication skills in both writing and speaking are vital to competent paralegals. They must be able to express themselves clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively. Such skills allow them to work well with clients and other members of the legal team as well.
Good professional judgment includes using suitable language, dressing appropriately, taking direction, responding appropriately to requests and questions, working within time constraints, and knowing when to ask for help.
Even though attorneys are professionals and able to adapt quickly to situations, some attorneys can come off as being harsh when deadlines start approaching. It is imperative that the paralegal let this not affect their thinking. The attorney is not mad at the paralegal but at the situation. It’s important to keep your resolve and to remain professional. Always remember, Be Professional and Be Positive.