Profession lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, and manage or advise clients on legal transactions.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Investigative

Tasks lawyer

• Advise clients on legal issues, such as claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
• Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuits.
• Prepare legal advice for individuals and businesses by interpreting laws, rulings and regulations.
• Draw up legal documents and certificates necessary for trial procedures.
• Present and summarise cases to relevant parties, e.g. judges and juries.
• Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for case presentation.
• Meet clients to confer about case proceedings.
• Gather evidence to formulate defence or to initiate legal action by e.g. interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of the case.
• Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
• Assist clients after the case has been ruled.

Related professions courts of justice

• Bailiff
• Court clerk
• Judge
• Law clerk
• Prosecutor

Knowledge

• Legal case management

  The procedures of a legal case from opening to closing, such as the documentation that needs to be prepared and handled, the people involved in different stages of the case, and the requirements that need to be met before the case can be closed.

• Court procedures

  The regulations which are in place during the investigation of a court case and during a court hearing, and of how these events occur.

Skills

• Protect client interests

  Protect the interests and needs of a client by taking necessary actions, and researching all possibilities, to ensure that the client obtains their favoured outcome.

• Respond to enquiries

  Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.

• Observe confidentiality

  Observe the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.

• Present arguments persuasively

  Present arguments during a negotiation or debate, or in written form, in a persuasive manner in order to obtain the most support for the case the speaker or writer represents.

• Compile legal documents

  Compile and collect legal documents from a specific case in order to aid an investigation or for a court hearing, in a manner compliant with legal regulations and ensuring records are properly maintained.

• Represent clients in courts

  Assume the position of representation in behalf of clients in courtrooms. Present arguments and evidence in favour of the client in order to win the case.

• Analyse legal evidence

  Analyse evidence, such as evidence in criminal cases, legal documentation regarding a case, or other documentation that can be regarded as evidence, in order to obtain a clear image of the case and reach resolutions.

• Interpret law

  Interpret the law during the investigation of a case in order to know the correct procedures in handling the case, the specific status of the case and the parties involved, the possible outcomes, and how to present the best arguments for the most favourable outcome.

• Negotiate lawyer's fee

  Negotiate compensation for legal services in or out of court, such as hourly or flat-rate fees, with clients.

• Present legal arguments

  Present legal arguments during a court hearing or during negotiations, or in written form after a trial concerning its outcome and sentence, in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for the client or to ensure the decision is followed. Present these arguments in a manner that is compliant with regulations and guidelines and adapted to the specifications of the case.

• Negotiate in legal cases

  Negotiate on the client's behalf during the treatment of a legal case in order to obtain the most beneficial outcome for the client, and to ensure that all decisions are compliant with legal regulations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB