Communication Skills: A Lawyer’s indispensable companion

 

Dear Rookie Advocate,

This month we want to go right back to the basics. What do lawyers really do for a living? Now before your mind tempts you to give the default lawyer response “It depends”, I will help focus your mind and give you our version.

Lawyers read, write and speak for a living. We are professionally trained to apply the legal concepts we have read to a specific situation or set of facts. The application of legal concepts is primarily communicated through writing and speaking. In our jurisdiction, much of what you are speaking about is things you have already written.  

If we are honest, some of us probably found ourselves in this profession because our darling grandmother said “You talk a lot, you should be a lawyer”. Lawyers are expected to be articulate and as your career advances the expectation to properly articulate yourself will only grow. Far beyond being an expectation, it is an indispensable skill.

Are you able to competently engage an audience? How persuasive are you? Are you able to present your legal knowledge, ideas and thoughts without falling over your words? Can you give an impromptu speech? They say ‘communication is key’ but have you ever found yourself feeling like you either have the wrong key or all the locks have been changed?

Well, we might just be able to help you with that!

Dear Rookie Advocate has partnered with Vision Champions to offer one free slot and three discounted slots to their ‘Presentation Skills and Public Speaking Master Class’ set for 27th May 2023.

Here is how you can access the discount. Leave us a comment telling us:

1. About a time you wished you had mastered the art of public speaking; and
2. What you love about Dear Rookie Advocate Blog.

The offer* closes on Wednesday 24th May 2023 and the winners will be announced on Thursday 25th May 2023.

Let’s get articulate!

*The discounted offer is only open to junior lawyers i.e less than 5 years of practice