Top 5 Skills Every Law Student Must Master Before Graduation
1. Legal Research That Gets You the Right Answers, Fast
You already know you have to research cases and statutes. What most students do wrong is research without strategy.
Real legal research is a discipline. According to legal educators, effective research requires:
- Knowing which databases matter
- Using Boolean operators to narrow results
- Evaluating sources for authority and relevance
The Law Society of England and Wales emphasises that research is a core professional skill and not just a study task. If your research is sloppy, your arguments will be too.
How to build this skill now
• Spend time learning Westlaw or LexisNexis search functions
• Practice writing one case summary per week
• Create a mini research checklist you always follow
This way when you have a curt case problem question, you won’t panic. You will know exactly where to find the answer.
2. Writing That Is Clear, Persuasive, and Precise
You will write a LOT in law school. Essays, problem questions, memos, judgments and more. The tricky part is not just writing but writing so that someone else can follow your logic without getting lost.
Professional legal writing is not about big words. It is about clarity, structure, and relevance. Teachers at Queen Mary University say that law students should treat writing as argument building, not storytelling.
How to build this skill now
• Draft outlines before each big assignment
• Use IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) for problem questions
• Ask lecturers for feedback and rewrite based on it
Good legal writing becomes a tool, not a chore. It helps your brain think in the structured way lawyers need.
3. Public Speaking That Makes People Listen
You will be assessed in moot courts, recitations, and possibly even client interview simulations. Being nervous is normal. But what sets strong performers apart is practice.
The Law Society highlights advocacy as a key skill for lawyers, not just theory knowledge.
How to build this skill now
• Join the mooting team or debate club at BAC
• Record yourself presenting and watch for pacing and clarity
• Prepare short speeches on legal topics weekly
You want to explain your point so someone with no legal training could understand it. If you can do that, real lawyers will want you on their team.
4. Time Management That Keeps You Ahead, Not Behind
Law school tasks can multiply overnight. If you wait until finals week to manage thousands of pages of reading, caffeine and panic will become your closest friends. That is not fun and it is not efficient.
Studies on student success consistently show that disciplined planning beats last-minute cramming every time.
How to build this skill now
• Plan your semester with deadline trackers
• Use time blocks for deep reading and writing
• Protect buffer time for unexpected tasks
Discipline here equals freedom. If you plan well, your brain will thank you when life outside school gets busy.
5. Tech Literacy That Saves You Hours
You might not realise this yet but legal technology is transforming the profession. From case databases to citation tools to productivity apps, the more comfortable you are with tech, the faster and smarter your work will be.
The Law Society notes that technology is an emerging competence area for new lawyers.
How to build this skill now
• Learn citation managers like Zotero or EndNote. [Or Citethisforme ;)]
• Explore functions of Westlaw or LexisNexis beyond the basics
• Use task management tools for your study planning
Think of tech as your intelligence multiplier. You will do better work in less time.
Remember, you are here because you want to stand out, not just survive.