<p>Well, to reiterate the title, do you need to be a charismatic "people person" in order to be a successful lawyer? You know, the type of person who can instantly start a conversation with a complete stranger? Make people like them, the life of the party, enjoy being center of attention, and pretty much an overall outgoing social extrovert. </p>
<p>Because I'm not the type of person who has a charismatic personality like some people do, nor do I have superior social skills that can engage in small talks or start conversation about anything (Other than if it deals with facts). You see, I am a very analytical, logical, and reason orientated person. I tend to come off as a blunt person because I don't beat around the bush. My conversations are based on facts or anything that is intellectually stimulating--not about how the weather is, how the family is doing, and pretty much anything that isn't intellectually stimulating. Nor do I believe in artificial chit-chat either and, therefore, not very good at it. I am also an introvert in case you haven't noticed (Tip: Introvert does not mean being shy). Am I at a grave disadvantage here because extroverts can be more like-able to their clients and employers?</p>
<p>Well of course you’d be at a disadvantage than people who are more outgoing and talkative and likeable. You’d be at a disadvantage in nearly any job in any industry. People have to like you and like talking to you if you’re going to get promoted. If you’re also responsible for building relationships with clients (again, in any industry), then you’re less likely to do well.</p>
<p>Eh, just as I thought! This is–after all–an extroverted biased world.
My people skills aren’t poor, it’s rather adequate; but no where on the same level as an extrovert.</p>
<p>Introverts can do well in an extrovert-skewed world, but they need to find the right situation. I sympathize with lawlking not enjoying small talk, but there’s no denying that it’s a necessary social lubricant. If you work at improving your people skills - if you can give the impression that you’re interested in other people, even if you’d rather do almost anything else than make meaningless conversation - you’ll benefit in many ways. Experience talking here (not in the legal field, but elsewhere in life).</p>
<p>People make allowances for geniuses, of course. Even if you’re not quite at that level, outstanding law school grades could allow you to pursue a career in academia or the judiciary. Introverts might be more comfortable in those situations. Even so, you’ll need to find mentors and get along well with co-workers. In certain public-interest law fields, people skills may be less important than in a biglaw or other commercial environment.</p>
<p>There is no shortage of introvert attoneys. In the law world, pedigree is everything. Go to a good law school, get great grades, you’ll do fine.</p>
<p>The often-tedious work done by lawyers may be more suited to introverts than extroverts. However, being a lawyer has a lot to do with bringing in clients, so you really should try to develop some people skills unless you want to spend all your time working in the back room for a more extroverted lawyer who brings in the business and then passes down the work to you.</p>
<p>I actually don’t mind the paperwork because its, as you can say, something I am good at and enjoy doing. I think there can be a mutual beneficial relationship between extroverts and introverts in the law business. The extroverts do the ‘people work’ because they are good at it. While the introverts do the ‘paper work’ because they are good at that. I wouldn’t mind this at all!</p>
<p>The money in law (and the promotions) go to those who bring in the clients. I am not sure that there are a lot of lawyers who can stay in the back room for their entire careers. They will be expected to develop a client base, and if they don’t they will find themselves practicing law on their own. Which will require them to develop their own client base.</p>
<p>On the other hand, some areas of law may be friendlier to introverts than others. Highly complex tax law is one, and patent law may be another.</p>
<p>I am very introverted, but learned to pretend to be an extrovert in order to get along in this profession. (My acting skills are good enough so that I have been mistaken for an actual social people person.). But there are other professions that are more amenable to quiet types, and the human interaction in law may be quite draining for a true introvert.</p>
<p>“I actually don’t mind the paperwork because its, as you can say, something I am good at and enjoy doing. I think there can be a mutual beneficial relationship between extroverts and introverts in the law business. The extroverts do the ‘people work’ because they are good at it. While the introverts do the ‘paper work’ because they are good at that. I wouldn’t mind this at all!” </p>
<p>Charles Dickens wrote about that relationship. You’ll find it in a chapter entitled “The Jackal.”</p>
<p>Interesting suggestion. I do have ADHD, so I do become very extroverted depending on the day. I also don’t mind talking to people, but it’s just my conversation is very ‘business’ like. It’s short, simple, and straight to the point. However, if I consume enough stimulants (Coffee, caffeine drinks, and etc.) then I can also become very extroverted–an excited extrovert.</p>
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<p>Was it an interesting relationship? A bad one? Tragic? I am going to assume it was tragic for the Jackal after reading the brief description online.</p>
<p>There are a huge number of directions your career can go once you get a law degree. Being a courtroom lawyer is just one of them. The best courtroom lawyers tend to have a good blend of academic skills, people skills and theatrical skills. But, many other law careers depend more on the academic skills and less on the interpersonal and theatrical skills. I agree with the advice given above to get your degree from the best school that admits you and achieve the best grades you can. From there, you will have plenty of choices and lots of time to see what career path suits you best.</p>
<p>In my job as a headhunter for attorneys, I have had a lot more people not get offers because they talked too much rather than too little. No one wants a talkasaurus around the office. A balance, of course, is nice. The vast majority of attorneys never see the inside of a courtroom, and if they do, they are handing papers to other lawyers.</p>
<p>I find I’m a borderline intro/extrovert that leans slightly slightly more towards the introvert side. But, I also tend to be a slow warmer-upper. In social situations, I like to maintain certain boundaries and get to see how a person is before deciding whether or not to open up to them. But, once I find that I can likely trust a person and that they have good character, then I’m pretty open and nice/friendly. </p>
<p>What types of social interaction take place generally in law? On an average day, how much social small talk would you guyys say takes place? And, what actually makes for good small talk and communication in law? </p>
<p>I’m definitely not a big humor person, but don’t mind it from others. …I enjoy it, but I"m just not that funny or good at it. lol. But, I find that I can be very encouraging and also very motivating for others. </p>
<p>I’ve also read that trial and courtroom lawyers can come in all types. Someone from another thread I read online said that he’d known a very successful trial lawyer who was actually very gentlemanly and almost even soft-spoken (not the theatrical type). But he had his own unique way of being convincing and effective with his communication style.</p>