Skills Needed for Law and Legal Careers

Identify the key strengths and skills valued in this industry. Get practical advice on building, showcasing, and applying your abilities to stand out and succeed in your chosen field.

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Advocate, Advise, and Make a Difference in Law and Legal

Law and legal careers are about upholding justice, supporting communities, and helping people navigate complex systems. Whether you’re interested in being a solicitor, barrister, legal executive, paralegal, or working in compliance or policy. If you want to make a real impact, here’s what you’ll need to succeed in this challenging and rewarding sector.

1. Core Technical Skills

Legal roles require analytical thinking, precision, and a strong grasp of rules and procedures. These skills help you interpret laws, build cases, and support clients.

Legal Research

Example: Finding, reading, and understanding laws, cases, and regulations.

Writing & drafting

Example: Creating clear, accurate legal documents, contracts, and correspondence.

Case Analysis

Example: Reviewing evidence, identifying key facts, and building arguments.

Attention to detail

Example: Spotting inconsistencies, errors, or important details in documents.

IT & Digital Literacy

Example: Using legal databases, case management software, and e-discovery tools.

Start building these skills:

2. Essential Personal Skills

The law is about people as much as rules. These strengths help you build trust, work with clients, and thrive in high-pressure situations.

Communication

Example: Explaining complex ideas clearly, both in writing and speaking.

Empathy & Active Listening

Example: Understanding clients’ needs and building rapport.

Problem-Solving

Example: Finding creative solutions within legal frameworks.

Organisation

Example: Managing multiple cases, deadlines, and documents.

Resilience

Example: Handling setbacks, challenging cases, and long hours.

Develop these skills:

3. Emerging & Future Skills

The legal sector is evolving. Embracing digital tools, new regulations, and global challenges. These skills help you stay ahead and serve clients in a changing world.

Digital Law & Cybersecurity

Example: Understanding online privacy, data protection, and cybercrime.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Example: Mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Diversity & Inclusion Awareness

Example: Serving clients from all backgrounds fairly and respectfully.

Global & Environmental Law

Example: Navigating international regulations and sustainability issues.

Legal Tech

Example: Using AI, e-discovery, and digital research tools in legal practice.

Explore what’s next:

Transferable Skills: Law Opens Doors Everywhere

Skills like research, writing, critical thinking, and negotiation are valued in business, government, advocacy, compliance, and more. Law experience is a foundation for many careers.

Myth-busting the law and legal industry

“You need to be a public speaker or a genius debater.”

Many roles focus on research, writing, or support, confidence grows with practice.

“Law is only for people with top grades.”

Determination, curiosity, and resilience matter as much as exam results.

“It’s all about being a lawyer in court.”

There are careers in compliance, policy, HR, paralegal work, mediation, and more.

How to Get Started

Build your skills through volunteering, online courses, debating clubs, or work experience. Every bit of experience helps!

Carry on learning about the law and legal industry

Curious to learn more about what a future in law and legal could look like? We’ve pulled together extra resources, insights, and practical guides to help you dive deeper. Whether you want to explore career paths, discover the latest trends, or get tips for interviews and skills-building, our dedicated aerospace and defence pages are here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to launch your law and legal career?

Whether you’re a researcher, communicator, negotiator, or advocate, the legal sector needs your talents. Start learning today and help make a difference!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Understanding law and legal

Got a question? We’ve got you. Here are some quick answers to what people ask us most. If you can’t find what you need, just reach out. We’re here to help!

Send Us a Question

Do I need a law degree to work in the legal sector?

Not always. There are apprenticeships, paralegal roles, and legal admin jobs that don’t require a degree. Degrees are needed for solicitor or barrister routes.

What if I’m interested in digital law or tech?

Perfect! The sector needs people for cyber law, data protection, and legal tech.

How can I gain experience before applying for jobs?

Volunteer at advice centres, join debating or law clubs, shadow legal professionals, or take online courses.