By Clayton T. Robertson (Criminal Defense / Civil Rights Attorney)
As with other professions, attorneys acquire knowledge and skills through education, training, and experience. There's no substitute for "being in the ring." But there are also certain character traits that great trial attorneys need to truly stand out. These include:
Risk - You need to be comfortable with risk. Tough cases are where you build your reputation. You need to be willing to go for it and slug it out at trial.
Resilience - You need to be able to fight day in and day out without burning out or giving up. This can be emotionally difficult. But you need to be able to do it.
Resourcefulness - You need to prepare for trial. See here:
Relentlessness - You can't give up. You have to keep fighting. And you can't be concerned about what others think.
Righteousness - You need to take things personally. You need to be indignant if a wrong has occurred. There's no substitute for passion combined with smarts.
