Legal Leaders Prioritize “Human Skills” as Key to Career Advancement
Madrid, Spain - In the increasingly competitive legal landscape, technical proficiency is no longer sufficient for career success. A growing consensus among industry leaders emphasizes the critical importance of “soft skills” - presence, communication, and authenticity – as decisive factors for professional growth, according to recent insights.
While legal professionals traditionally focus on expertise and results, a shift is underway to recognize the impact of perception. How clients, partners, and teams view a lawyer is becoming as important as their legal acumen.
“Being a great lawyer is not enough: you must know how to listen, communicate, and generate trust. ultimately, careers grow based on the quality of the relationships you build,” explains Carlos Nieto, a headhunter specializing in legal talent selection at WeHunt.
This emphasis on interpersonal skills extends to leadership. Marlen Estevez, partner at RocaJunyent and president of Women in a Legal World, stresses that genuine presence is foundational. “Presence starts with authenticity. When you connect from who you are, not from what you pretend to be, you generate trust, and that is one of the greatest powers we can have in our profession. Reaching that point requires a lot of self-awareness: investing time in yourself and understanding the ’why’ behind what you do.”
The need for holistic development – mind, body, and spirit – is also highlighted. Estevez adds that strong leadership involves seeking support and leveraging complementary strengths.
nerea de antonio, HR director at Freshfields, confirms this trend is impacting talent management. “Every year, we bring in young lawyers with outstanding technical training, but what really makes a difference are skills like effective communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence. These qualities allow professionals to adapt and thrive in a collaborative environment.”
The focus on these “human skills” signals a broader evolution within the legal profession, recognizing that lasting success is built not just on legal knowledge, but on the strength of professional relationships and authentic leadership.