How to be a Good Attorney-Develop an Area of Expertise

Develop an Area of Expertise. Work toward an area of expertise. It is almost impossible to be a general practitioner these days. To name a few, estate planning is very different than corporate work which is different than transactional work which is way different than litigation. In litigation, there are many specialties such as real estate law, bankruptcy, personal injury, etc. If you like working on homeowner association work (i.e., forming them, drafting CC&R’s, representing property mangers or boards of directors in general or special elections, etc.), then learn as much as you can in that area. Study the statutes. Study the cases. Study the psychology of group decision making. Everything you learn is like adding more and more heat to a pot of water. At 211 degrees, not much visible happens. All you have is hot water. When you really learn an area of the law, it is like water that reaches 212 degrees and the steam that is produced has the ability to power a locomotive or a generator, you will develop ability, skills and confidence.