What Type Of Person Thrives In The Legal Industry, According To A Fisher Phillips Attorney
Ryan highlights that different areas of law favor different personalities; for example, personal injury may benefit from "a big personality," while representing employers requires strong analytical, writing, and research skills; additionally, "rainmakers" who can bring in clients are also vital for success, and being able to do both—generate business and produce high-quality work—is presented as ideal. Ryan views themselves as someone who does both, someone with "rainmaker potential" and produces good work, making detail-oriented work and strong interpersonal and sales skills essential.
Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Business Development, Legal Research, Attention to Detail
Advizer Information
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Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
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Traits
Ryan Harrison, Sr.
Attorney
Fisher Phillips
UC Davis
CSUS - MS Criminal Justice; UC Law SF - Juris Doctor
Anthropology, Sociology
Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Different personality types can thrive depending on the legal field; a big personality might benefit a personal injury lawyer, while analytical and writing skills are crucial for attorneys representing employers.
2. In the legal industry, particularly in large corporate firms, key attributes for success include the ability to analyze cases, write cogently and compellingly, and develop cases effectively through well-crafted motions.
3. Attorneys who can both attract clients (rainmakers) and produce high-quality work are particularly successful, as they combine business development skills with legal expertise.
Transcript
Q8: Who thrives in industry?
There are many different types of personalities that thrive in this industry. There are also many different areas of law. For example, if you're a personal injury lawyer, having a big personality or ego might be beneficial.
Even taking an unreasonable position on cases, like demanding $10 million for a small fender bender, might work for a personal injury attorney who already has huge verdicts under their belt. It can be a scary proposition to go up against that kind of attorney.
In my work, representing employers on the defense side at a large international firm, certain attorneys thrive due to their ability to analyze cases. They can write well in a cogent and compelling manner, and really work up cases and write motions.
This ensures that we win on those issues. Importantly, these attorneys are reliable.
Additionally, another type of attorney who thrives in my field are "rainmakers." These are people who can go out and get clients, demonstrate the firm's value, and serve as the face for business development. They bring in the work and then hand it to those attorneys skilled in reading, writing, and research.
Then you have people who can do both, and that's how I view myself. These are individuals with rainmaker potential who can also produce good work.
I believe that thriving in this industry means having close attention to detail, doing good research, writing well, and being able to interface with people to convey the value of your services. These are the things that allow you to thrive.
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