Many people may have aspired to be lawyers someday, but fear prevents them from pursuing their dreams. Their fear of public speaking is the source of their skepticism. Glossophobia, or fear of public speaking, affects more than 73% of the population. But the essential questions still remain: Can a person become a lawyer if they dislike public speaking? Do all Lawyers speak in court?
In this article, we will answer these questions. Before we answer these questions, let's first define the different types of lawyers and how they differ.
What Are The Different Types of Lawyers?
Law is a broad concept; there are numerous areas in which law is practiced, and the term "Lawyer" is a general term. To fully understand whether public speaking is required to become a lawyer and whether all lawyers speak in court, consider some of the following areas of law.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers
Any work or invention produced by someone is the latter's intellectual property. Ownership of any technical, scientific, and creative invention must be protected from duplicates of other people. IP Lawyers exist to provide legal remedies and advice to those who are aggravated by the work infringement by someone.
IP Lawyers must be knowledgeable about innovation and business trends. Their work will entail engaging with several agencies such as the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Copyright Office, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Family Lawyers
This type of lawyer handles domestic cases such as legal separation, divorce, paternity, child custody, alimony, emancipation, and so on. A family lawyer can also help you protect your reproductive rights. In some cases, Family Lawyers may engage in other areas of the law, such as Criminal Lawyers, in cases involving domestic violence or juvenile delinquency.
Estate Planning Lawyers
These lawyers will safeguard the legality of someone who wishes to leave their property to their loved ones after death. Though no one wants to die, preparing these assets to be entrusted to someone shall not be taken for granted. Estate Planning Lawyers are in charge of settling legal documents, burial and medical arrangements, and the client's final wishes, among other things.
Personal Injury Lawyers
You would need Injury Lawyers if you were injured by another company, individual, or government entity. Suppose any of these injuries have resulted in a deterioration in the quality of your life or a loss of income. In that case, Personal Injury Lawyers will assist you in obtaining the damages and settlement you are entitled to.
Malpractice Lawyers
Other professions, such as accountants, doctors, and government officials, must exercise greater caution. If they are sued for alleged malpractice, you will need to hire a malpractice lawyer to ensure that the case is prosecuted under the law. Malpractice Lawyers are responsible for participating in oral arguments to settle controversies in the court.
Business Lawyers
Business Lawyers look into things like managing, building, maintaining, and dissolving when it comes to business. These Lawyers are in charge of tax compliance, employment contracts, acquisitions, and the overall formation of the business. Business lawyers resolve employment disputes, negotiate contracts, and may also provide legal advice to small businesses.
Labor Lawyers
Labor Lawyers primarily deal with workplace discrimination and illegal layoffs. Typically, these lawyers work with both unionized and non-unionized employees. They safeguard these rights and ensure that they are exercised following the law.
Tax Lawyers
Taxes are complicated when one lacks sufficient knowledge of them. Tax Lawyers and accountants make it simple for clients to understand. Tax Lawyers tend to work with those who are starting a business or who have a dispute with the IRS. As a result, Tax Lawyers are accustomed to court proceedings and litigation to settle their client's disputes.
Bankruptcy Lawyers
When a person struggles with bills, finances, and debts, consulting with a Bankruptcy Lawyer is the best way to alleviate financial difficulties. This is a common occurrence in businesses and individuals. In most cases, these lawyers will provide remedies to their clients to protect them from financial loss. Bankruptcy lawyers also negotiate with creditors to agree on their client's plan.
Immigration Lawyers
When a foreign individual is seeking US citizenship, an Immigration Lawyer can provide advice. Their primary task is to guide the clients in settling the legal documents, including the steps. This is critical for the client to avoid legal impediments in the future.
Real Estate Lawyers
When a client sells or purchases a property, the Real Estate Lawyer can assist them in drafting documents and paperwork to ensure that they comply with the law. Their responsibilities may also include negotiating on behalf of the seller or buyer. Moreover, resolving foreclosed disputes on behalf of the client is one of them.
Constitutional Lawyers
Constitutional lawyers primarily deal with government abuse of power against individuals. People with advocacy groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are examples. They can seek the advice of a Constitutional Lawyer if they believe their rights have been violated.
Environmental Lawyers
As the name suggests, environmental Lawyers are primarily concerned with environmental protection. They enforce Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) environmental laws on behalf of groups, individuals, and other entities. They protect disputes over environmental protection that may impact the general welfare.
Civil Litigation Lawyers
These are the types of lawyers who frequently appear in courts for trials, settlements, pleadings, and other processes to settle a specific dispute. They are also known as Trial Lawyers. Civil lawsuits, such as contract disputes, are handled by them. These are the types of lawyers for whom the Court serves as a second home.
Criminal Defense Lawyers
Criminal cases are just one type of common cause in the legal field. When their clients are arrested, these lawyers provide legal representation. These are accomplished by enforcing due process and the rule of law through investigative, arraignment, and sentencing procedures. They represent their clients in court to keep them out of prison.
Can I Be A Lawyer If I Don't Like Public Speaking?
I would say that public speaking skill is not required to become a lawyer. But still, it cannot be denied that having essential public speaking skills is extremely beneficial once you become a lawyer. As acknowledged in the preceding types of lawyers, being a lawyer entails fighting difficult battles. Public speaking is not required, but it cannot be ignored either.
Every lawyer has direct contact with many corporations, organizations, and individuals. Good public speaking skills can help you express your ideas clearly and comprehensively when giving legal advice and making legal decisions; it eliminates your feeling of lack of confidence when facing different types of people.
It is essential to have good written communication skills and good oral communication skills. When these skills are lacking, there would be a big chance that you, as a lawyer, become ineffective.
According to television portrayals, lawyers appear to spend most of their time in court arguing their cases. But in reality, lawyering entails extensive research, writing, and reading voluminous books and cases to be successful.
The most important skill that a lawyer must have is good communication skills, which do not have to be only oral communication skill; it should be both oral and written. You will succeed as a good lawyer if you can use your written and oral analytical and critical thinking skills. Hence, even if you dislike public speaking, you can still be a lawyer.
Do All Lawyers Speak In Court?
No, most lawyers are not required to speak in public while practicing their profession. There are numerous fields in which lawyers can specialize, as mentioned in the previous section of this article. Unlike civil litigation and criminal defense lawyers, appearing in court becomes necessary.
Some other fields do not necessarily require lawyers to appear in court to represent their clients. Bankruptcy lawyers, labor lawyers, injury lawyers, and estate planning lawyers are some of them.
Litigation vs. Transactional
Public speaking is required if you want to be a litigator. A litigator is a type of lawyer who must appear in court to resolve the disputes they are handling. If you are representing your client, the opposing party is likely to question every statement and point you make. If you lack effective public speaking skills, it will be difficult to think quickly because your confidence will prevent you from doing so.
On the other hand, if you want to be a transactional lawyer, you will be dealing with financial agreements and contracts. You will handle your client's concerns about trademarks, licensing, real estate transactions, and other matters that do not require court appearances.
Conclusion
Many people regard becoming a lawyer as a difficult but interesting profession. Most people aspire to be lawyers because of television depictions of how lawyers act in court, how they effectively communicate with conviction, and how they demonstrate their public speaking skills.
If you want to be a professional lawyer in the future, keep pursuing that dream. Various misconceptions and perceived challenges about this profession should not deter you from continuing. Realizing how difficult it is to become a lawyer should not be a hindrance but a motivator to push harder. If you want to achieve your childhood dream, you must safeguard it!
If becoming a litigation lawyer is your goal, you should learn to think and speak like a lawyer. The most important thing is improving your critical thinking skills and public speaking proficiency. Speaking with authority is necessary to be a successful litigation lawyer. You should visit this article to learn The Top 9 Tips For Presenting with Authority.
For more resources to develop your public speaking skills while you are in the comforts of your own home, please check out the article ‘Online Resources for Public Speaking'.
