NSW lawyers to be supported by new framework
Last week, the member body for practitioners in the nation’s largest state released a new framework that outlined the soft skills crucial for success in the law profession.
The Solicitor Capability Framework was released by the Law Society of NSW on Friday (5 September), outlining the recommended non-technical skills needed for practitioners to foster a thriving professional career.
In February, NSW Law Society president Jennifer Ball committed to the delivery of this framework in her Opening of Law Term.
“While the framework was being developed, it became clear that equipping lawyers with the means to establish, maintain and continually improve the qualities that make a well-rounded lawyer should not be limited to graduates, but applies to everyone in legal practice, whatever their career stage,” she said at the time.
The framework proposed seven primary capabilities, which she said “will better equip the legal profession with the capabilities needed to thrive in practice today and into the future”.
These were: critical thinking and decision making, solicitor-client relationships, professionalism, problem solving, communication and influence, integrity and ethics, and adaptive mindset and resilience.
In addition, the framework identified three proficiency levels for these primary capabilities: developing, proficient, and expert.
NSW Law Society said the framework was made to identify capabilities that emphasise what an individual can do and demonstrate which complement “the technical skills, knowledge and competencies that are relevant to specific roles or areas of practice”.
The framework’s development began in March 2024 by the society, with the help of the Institute for Working Futures and Capability.Co and Dr Pamela Hanrahan.
Through the consultation of volunteer solicitor members and feedback from an LSNSW member survey, these seven primary capabilities emerged.
“It is not intended to be a substitute for practitioners’ continuing professional development obligations or ethical duties, but is designed to help identify the right development experiences and learning opportunities to strengthen solicitors’ careers,” Ball said.
“This framework was developed through extensive research and consultation with Law Society members and experts in the field, and reflects my president’s priority this term.”
According to the NSW Law Society, “the framework can be used by solicitors in different ways, for example for assessing personal capabilities and development needs, career planning, prioritising education and continuing professional development (CPD), and recognising personal or professional achievements.”
Ball said: “This framework will become increasingly important in the face of rapidly developing technology and ways of practice, to identify and focus on the human attributes and skills that are vital to all solicitors.”