INSTRUCTIONS: For each skill listed, rate yourself on the following scale.
To adjust for the enjoyment level, add the value of 1 if a high level of satisfaction or pleasure is associated with the performance of the listed skill; subtract the value of 1 if you dislike using the skill. If you neither like nor dislike the skill, no adjustment is necessary. Record your totals for the various skill cluster areas.
PART 1: Transferable Skills
Written Communication
- Correspondence (answering inquires, initiating letters, soliciting business)
- Editing
- Creative/Expository Writing
- Writing (reports, memos, proposals)
- Technical Writing
- Translating (foreign language, signing)
Part 1 of this exercise is adapted from material designed by Laura Share Kalin, Director of Career Services and Alice Alexander, Assistant Dean of Cooperative Legal Education at Northeastern University School of Law; Part 2 is adapted from materials designed by Professor Brook K. Baker, Northeastern University School of Law.
Verbal Communication
- Teaching/Training
- Public Speaking
- Persuading/Promoting/Selling
- Explaining
- Articulating (quality of oral expression)
- Connecting (being understood)
- Social Chatting
Interpersonal
- Listening
- Advising/Counseling
- Interviewing (obtaining information)
- Handling Complaints
- Confronting
- Negotiating
- Mediating
- Group Facilitating
- Getting Along With Others
- Politicking
- Reading" others
Organizational
- Anticipating/Estimating
- Prioritizing
- Coordinating/Arranging (events)
- Compiling/Gathering (data)
- Classifying/Ordering (information)
- Programming
- Planning/Scheduling
- Record Keeping
- Meeting Deadlines
Intellectual
- Conceptualizing (new ideas)
- Analyzing (events, data, people)
- Theorizing (drawing generalizations)
- Comprehending highly technical materials
- Predicting/Forecasting (trends)
- Experimenting
- Remembering Information
Managerial
- Supervising/Leading
- Organizing/Coordinating
- Motivating Others
- Initiating
- Risk Taking
- Delegating
- Exercising Good Judgment
- Accepting Responsibility
- Deciding
Problem-Solving
- Examining
- Reviewing
- Assessing (the performance of others)
- Evaluating (programs, services)
- Appraising (values)
- Applying Knowledge to Improve a Situation or Benefit Others
- Trouble Shooting
- Resolving Conflicts
Coping
- Working Effectively and Calmly Under Pressure
- Managing Time
- Tolerating Delays/Waiting
- Reserving
- Accepting Criticism
- Working Through Problems
- Adjusting to Changes/Flexibility
- Competing With Others
Numerical
- Accounting/Bookkeeping
- Allocating Resources
- Managing Budgets
- Using Computational Abilities
- Estimating/Projecting (costs, income)
- Developing Mathematical/Economic Models
- Working With Precision
- Financial Record Keeping
- Inventorying
- Using Statistical Abilities
Presenting
- Exhibiting/Setting up
- Displaying Ideas in Artistic Form
- Dramatizing (ideas, social concerns)
- Designing Exhibits
- Making Layouts (media print, public displays)
- Representing ("x" to the public)
- Meeting the Public
Creativity
- Inventing
- Imagining
- Designing
- Applying Theory
- Being an "Idea" person
- Displaying
- Constructing/Building
- Assembling
- Fixing
Playing
- Music (singing, composing, playing instrument)
- Dancing
- Drawing/Painting/Sculpting
- Competing at sports/games
- Acting
- Using Humor
- Other "play":
PART 2 - Lawyering Skills
Legal Knowledge
- Possess substantive knowledge of basic areas of law
- Possess substantive knowledge of your particular area of expertise
- Keep abreast of current developments in the law
- Possess broad general knowledge of other areas of law in order to "red flag" issues and refer cases to others possessing expertise.
Legal Research
- Perform research (case law and statutory) in a thorough, organized and competent manner
- Know various secondary and primary research resources
- Know how to use indexes
- Know how to plan a research strategy
- Familiar with computerized research resources
- Know how to take systematic, useful research notes
Factual Research
- Know how to plan fact investigations to obtain desired information
- Know formal discovery devices and how to use them, including depositions, interrogatories and document requests
- Know how to respond to formal discovery within ethical restraints to disclose required information
Legal Writing
- Plan and organize writing by outline or otherwise so that it is coherent, logical and persuasive
- Draft, redraft, and edit your writing critically
- Produce well written, good quality legal documents
- Use language clearly, precisely, and concisely
Legal Analysis
- Understand how to analyze a case and analogize it to client facts Understand how to analyze a statute or regulation and apply it to a client problem
- Understand how to synthesize multiple cases and/or statutes Understand how to select legal rules to apply to or distinguish from client or opponent facts
- Combine legal analysis with common sense and problem-solving abilities
- Develop creative and/or alternative approaches to problems Develop appropriate strategy to serve client
Advocacy
- Plan an effective trial strategy
- Argue skillfully and effectively in court
- Negotiate disputes skillfully and effectively
- Prepare witnesses for examination
- Examine witnesses using rules of evidence effectively
- Develop ability to determine the credibility of witnesses, clients and testimony
- Develop ability to determine the efficacy of opposing arguments
- Practice appropriate courtroom demeanor and courtesy
Problem Solving
- Negotiate transactional agreements
- Help clients with strategic planning
- Advise clients regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations
Client Relations
- Conduct sessions that leave the client informed and reassured
- Understand client's goals
- Provide realistic assessments
- Nurture and develop new client base
- Keep client apprised of progress/status of case
- Prepare bills reflecting accurately accounted time
Substantive Legal Knowledge
- Constitutional Law/Litigation
- Federal courts
- Commercial Law (U.C.C.)
- Corporations
- Corporate Finance
- Entertainment Law
- Environmental Law
- Antitrust
- Bankruptcy
- Legal Accounting
- Securities Regulations
- Evidence
- Criminal Advocacy/Procedure
- Juvenile Law
- Equitable Remedies
- Land Use Planning
- Administrative Law
- Family Law
- Estate Planning
- Trusts and Estates
- Welfare Law
- Health Law
- International Law
- Comparative Law
- Conflict of Law
- Professional Responsibility
- Labor Law
- Collective Bargaining
- Negotiation
- Torts II
- Intellectual Property
- Immigration Law
- Discrimination Law
- Tax Law
- Corporate Taxation
- Legislation
