It's no secret that legal issues can be complex matters, and to most effectively navigate their intricacies, the services of a skilled trial attorneyare essential. But many people involved in civil litigation issues are dealing with the law for the first time, and they might feel unsure of what to look for in a trial lawyer. To help provide some clarification, below is a brief discussion of three essential skills that every good trial attorney should have.

3 Essential Skills Possessed by a Good Trial Attorney

1.  Analytical Skill

A case that ends in a courtroom trial is one that will be analyzed and studied at length by all parties involved. Because of this, any competent trial attorney should be proficient in the skill of analysis, comfortable with everything from deciphering complicated legal statutes and how they will impact the case to combing through evidence and deducing what will make for the most compelling proof. In a personal injury lawsuit, for example, a trial attorney must be proficient in analyzing the plaintiff's injuries and experiences to assign an appropriate dollar amount to pursue a claim.

2. Interpersonal Skill

A trial attorney doesn't have to be their client's best friend, but the client should, at the very least, feel like the two of them are on the same side. This is where interpersonal skills come in. Your lawyer should make you feel heard, validated, and supported. They should talk to you with respect and handle sensitive matters with discretion and care. A good trial lawyer needs to be assertive and aggressive in certain situations, but they should also know how to be tactful outside the courtroom.

3. Negotiating Skill

A lawyer needs to be adept in the art and craft of negotiation. To some extent, negotiating plays a role in every type of legal claim. Sometimes negotiations are successful, sometimes they aren't--but they almost always take place to a certain degree. Look for a trial attorney who is confident in their skill as a negotiator and has the successful track record to back it up.

Trial Attorney Michael J. Tortora of the Tortora Law Firm offers all of these skills and then some. He represents clients throughout the Fairfield, Connecticut, area in a variety of criminal and civil litigation practice areas, including personal injuries, workers' compensation, and criminal defense.