Most Important Skills For an Associate At Morrison and Foerster
Contrary to expectations, a successful corporate attorney career hinges less on pre-existing legal knowledge and more on "soft skills," such as communication, attention to detail, and asking questions; these abilities allow associates to quickly learn the substantive aspects of corporate law through practical experience, which is far more valuable than theoretical legal knowledge. The interviewee emphasizes that a strong foundation in "soft skills" is key for advancement, as "the substance will come with repetition and doing more deals".
Communication, Problem-Solving, Attention to Detail, Teamwork, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Santos
Associate
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Santa Clara University
Georgetown University - JD
Business Management & Admin
Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Excellent communication skills are crucial, even more so than in-depth legal knowledge.
2. Strong attention to detail and the ability to ask clarifying questions are highly valued.
3. Soft skills and a willingness to learn are key, as on-the-job experience is vital for building legal expertise in corporate law.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
As I mentioned at the outset, being a corporate attorney isn't as legally intensive as one might think. You don't necessarily need to know the law extensively to excel.
The most important skills, especially when you're starting as a young associate, are less legal and more soft skills. These are things anyone can develop, regardless of whether they attended law school.
Being a good communicator, asking questions, and paying attention to detail are all valuable soft skills in any job. They serve you well as a corporate associate because law school doesn't train you specifically for that role; it's much more litigation-focused.
Most people entering corporate work start from a similar baseline of very little knowledge. You're not expected to know much of the substance.
Those who are good with soft skills tend to develop and progress quicker. The substance of the work comes with repetition and doing more deals. While mastery of corporate law is great, very few people have that upon graduating. It's those with strong soft skills who I believe progress and develop the most.