The importance of working with others

• The second free online course in LawCare’s Fit for Law series, ‘Working with others’, has launched.
• It is designed to provide legal professionals with valuable guidance on working effectively with clients, colleagues and others.

Lawyers are trained in the law, but not necessarily in ‘people skills’. Instead, legal professionals commonly receive years of training in identifying legal issues, analysing and applying legal principles, and drafting legal documents and advice.

However, they often receive far less training and support in dealing with the practicalities and human elements of legal life. This is a surprising omission given that they will often find themselves working with a diverse range of clients, colleagues and others (such as expert witnesses or clerks). From colleagues exhibiting challenging behaviours to vulnerable ‘at risk’ clients, successfully working with others requires a range of skills and strategies to ensure high standards of client care, efficient collaboration