Is Sympathy a Necessary Character for a Law Student?
The Article ‘Is Sympathy a Necessary Character for a Law Student?’ highlights the importance of being sympathetic in the legal profession. It gives a calm environment to the clients and they are willing to share the details of the case properly with their lawyers. The author also points out that sympathy acts as an essential attribute of an… Read More »
The Article ‘Is Sympathy a Necessary Character for a Law Student?’ highlights the importance of being sympathetic in the legal profession. It gives a calm environment to the clients and they are willing to share the details of the case properly with their lawyers. The author also points out that sympathy acts as an essential attribute of an ethical lawyer. Definitely, the more humble, sympathetic, and down-to-earth you are, the more clients you will get. The author also adds sympathy is a key characteristic that enhances an attorney’s marketing ability.
Sympathy: Necessary Character for a Law Student
Becoming a sympathetic lawyer is not a recent invention, at least in the context that a practicing attorney should exhibit sympathy. In the past decade, the legal profession has begun to evaluate how lawyers should function, their goals, and what makes a client important.
In layman’s words, Sympathy is-
“the psychological connection with or living through another person’s thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes.”
The theory demonstrates that an attorney’s care looks to be advantageous. But what is the point of a lawyer being concerned about this?
Benefits of Being Sympathetic in the Law Field
1. Sympathy can aid attorneys in providing superior client service
By offering clients exceptional services and value, attorneys and law firms can separate themselves from the competition.
The majority of first-time visitors to legal firms have never used an attorney before. This includes individuals who need help with personal injury, divorce, or immigration issues. As a result, the majority of people who seek legal counsel are likely to do so for the first time. As their case advances, they will likely have concerns, questions, and possibly even fear.
If you’re a lawyer who doesn’t care about your clients’ circumstances, you’ll only represent them in court in the way you believe is best for them.
A lawyer with sympathy, on the other hand, would put themselves in their client’s shoes and provide them with a complete account of the situation. The attorney will query, “What information would I want to know if I were a client?” Other than “How regularly do you desire to be updated on the status of your case?” By putting themselves in the client’s shoes, the attorney and his or her team can foresee hurdles and make things as easy as possible for the client.
Customers will be satisfied with this enhanced service quality. If a customer is satisfied with the service they receive, they are more likely to leave a favourable review, refer people to the business, and pay their bills.
2. Sympathy can help lawyers provide better results in difficult circumstances
There is nothing improper with attorneys caring about the people they represent. To comprehend what a legal adversary desires, you must view the world through their eyes. Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes may assist them in relaxing and overcoming any negative emotions they may have generated as a result of the conflict.
If a lawyer comprehends the opposing party’s objectives in a legal dispute, they can resolve it more swiftly and efficiently. In addition, they may provide their client with greater advice on how to continue. When the lawyer and client have a greater grasp of the other party’s priorities, the client may have to make fewer concessions in order to reach an agreement, while the other side may have to make more.
3. Sympathy can assist attorneys in being more effective marketers
By exhibiting concern for potential clients and referral sources, attorneys can enhance their marketing abilities. It is essential for attorneys to interact with prospective clients in a manner that makes them believe their legal concerns have been addressed and comprehended. Prospective clients consider this relationship as a sign of the lawyer’s quality, and it is likely to result in at least an initial inquiry, if not hiring.
The majority of attorneys, however, struggle with this type of marketing plan. It requires time and effort to determine the thoughts of a potential customer. The majority of attorneys believe that seeing the world through the eyes of their current clients facilitates rapport with future clients.
Empathetic attorneys may be able to receive more referrals. By understanding how the referrer feels, an empathetic attorney can reassure the referrer that the matter is in excellent hands and address any worries the referrer may have. Because they share the same concerns when referring cases to other attorneys, lawyers should have no trouble understanding what these difficulties are and how to address them.
4. Displaying Caring Behaviour Has Immense Benefits
According to Theodore Roosevelt,
people don’t care how much you know until they see how good your heart is.
Sympathy boosts a lawyer’s likelihood of becoming a better attorney and marketer, as well as being viewed as more valuable by the clients they serve. A successful attorney will almost certainly be a better lawyer and marketer.
Conclusion
Sympathy is a skill that helps law students and practicing attorneys to attain benefits in their progress career-wise as well as becoming civilized humans too. If you want to become a lawyer, you’ll have to read a lot of uninteresting stories about former people and events (for example, the facts surrounding a supposed “contract creation” in 1892…or 2012).
Compassion and sympathy can help revitalize aging, cold, monotonous, and lifeless people and settings, which is astounding. Those who focus entirely on analytical, left-brain skills (which are necessary but insufficient) are less likely to become good, compassionate, and ethical lawyers than those who also focus on emotional capabilities.
A law student or attorney who is sensitive, empathetic, sympathetic, and even loves people has a greater chance of long-term success in the legal field. It is reasonable to assert that “the good foundation of life” (such as sympathy, understanding, compassion, etc.) will help law students and lawyers succeed more than any other “virtue.”
References
[1] Why Empathy Is a Vital Skill to Develop in Law, Available Here
[2] The Benefits of an Empathetic Lawyer, Available Here
[3] Empathy in the legal profession and its role in shaping my career, Available Here
[4] Kristin B. Gerdy, The Heart of Lawyering: Clients, Empathy, and Compassion, Available Here