<p>It's okay if you're shy as long as you can say what you need to say with a certain degree of confidence. I'm painfully shy but when it comes to complaining or getting what I want, I'm relentless. Also keep in mind that just because you went to law school it doesn't mean you have to practice law. There are a fair number of people moving to IB or consulting positions or other types of positions where they don't have to argue with other lawyers all the time.</p>
<p>I think law is one of those fields where you have to have a certain degree of obsession with it. Anyways there was a survey put out somewhere that said 65?% of lawyers practicing law right now are "introverted". Actually the loud, obnoxious, chatterbox types won't make very good lawyers. Trials are high-stress situations, and if you end up going into a melodramatic breakdown or can't handle stress well, or can't remain calm under pressure, then I don't think law is for you.</p>
<p>Same thing with leadership-just because you're not the type of person who would get people fired up and lead the charge from the front doesn't mean that you have no leadership skills. There are also the quiet leaders who lead indirectly.</p>
<p>The point? Don't rule out a legal career just because you're not Alan Shore.</p>
<p>I'm not the loud, gregarious type, but my presentation skills are pretty good and I know how to ask for what I want, and I can communicate with anyone in an official type of capacity. On the other hand, my sister's the type that can socially adapt to any setting very quickly, and is loud and gregarious, but she probably wouldn't be able to file a chargeback to save her life.</p>
<p>Give me a contract to negotiate or write up, a dispute to resolve, whatever, I can do it relatively quickly and painlessly in my favor, and without losing my sanity, but throw me into a cocktail party and I'm the person in the corner talking to a small group of 2 or 3 people. As long as you can argue a case with relative clarity and relatively calmly in front of a judge and jury, I don't see any problem with a shy person in the legal profession. Sure you won't bring in the multi-million dollar accounts, but once the golden retrievers bring in the clients, they expect excellent representation for their money. I know several people who are loud and argumentative but can't actually DO anything. (i.e. my sister) She's probably the type of person who talks really loud at the table at a restaurant but it'll probably be me speaking to the manager if the waiter spills food on her or gives her attitude.</p>
<p>I had a number of posts on this thread before that have now vanished, so let me just say that I have been practicing for nigh on 30 years. I can attest that there are a number of niches in the practice of law for introverts. In the old days, these would have included partner positions at leading large firms, especially in fields like tax; nowadays not so much. But only a small minority of all the lawyers in practice hold these positions. Assuming the issue is garden-variety shyness or introversion and not a true social phobia, there can easily be a niche for you.</p>
<p>I think being shy is a relative term subject to many interpretations. I know attorneys who are like Bruce Cutler and are very sucessful, make tons of money and aren't a lot of fun to be around. I also know attorneys who might be percieved as introverted and are effective. Having said that if you don't like conflicts or confrontations then you might want to reconsider your career choices. Law professors, fellow students and partners can be demanding so if you can't tolerate this look for something else.</p>
<p>i always argued and made sure my points were acknowledged,but lately i have become very shy and reserved.i am now having second thougts about studying law.</p>