In a profession often associated with sharp suits, sharper words, and the relentless pursuit of results, kindness might not seem like a core legal skill. But here is something I have found: kindness is a quiet superpower. As solicitors, we’re trained to advocate, to challenge, and to push boundaries — but please, not at the cost of our humanity. Whether it’s with clients, colleagues, or the unsung heroes behind the scenes (yes, I’m talking about the admin staff who actually keep the place running), kindness matters.
With Clients: Building Trust, Beyond the Billable Hour
Clients come to us in some of the most stressful moments of their lives — buying a home, ending a marriage, facing criminal charges, or fighting for their business. They need more than legal jargon and timesheets. They need reassurance. They need someone who listens without rushing, explains without patronising, and shows empathy without judgement.
Kindness here doesn’t mean sugar-coating the facts or avoiding difficult truths. I have found that it means delivering them with respect and compassion. A kind solicitor is memorable — not because they charged the least, but because they treated the client like a human being, not just a file number.
With Colleagues: Drop the Ego, Lift the Team
Law firm culture can sometimes be… intense. Long hours, big egos, and internal competition can breed a “survival of the fittest” mentality. I found this especially true when trainees were fighting for that hard to get training contract – cut throat! But I am proof that it doesn’t have to be that way. I have always found in my career that the best teams — the ones that are resilient, productive, and dare I say, enjoyable to be in — are rooted in mutual respect and kindness.
That means checking in on the junior who’s drowning in bundles. That means giving credit where it’s due, not just when it benefits your reputation. That means saying thank you — yes, even in an email.
Kindness isn’t soft. It’s strategic. It builds loyalty, improves morale, and frankly, makes the workplace more tolerable for all of us.
With Admin Staff: No Kindness, No Functioning Office
I have absolutely no doubt that without the admin staff — receptionists, secretaries, post-room heroes and others — our legal empires would collapse. And yet, too often, they’re overlooked or spoken to as if their roles are somehow lesser. They’re not.
Kindness here is simple: Treat admin staff with the same respect you’d give to a senior partner. Learn their names. Say good morning. Don’t dump last-minute tasks on them without context or gratitude. Recognise that their contribution is critical, not optional.
In my experience, the solicitors who are consistently kind to admin staff tend to be the ones everyone wants to work with — and that reputation sticks.
Final Thoughts: Kindness Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Legacy
As lawyers, we deal in rights, duties, and obligations. But let’s not forget the human side of law. Kindness doesn’t dilute professionalism — it deepens it. It builds trust, reduces conflict, and creates a working environment where people feel seen and valued.
You won’t find kindness in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Code of Conduct or Law Society guidelines. But you will find it in every truly great lawyer I’ve ever met.
And if we’re going to spend 60+ hours a week doing this job — we might as well do it in a way that leaves people better than we found them.
Written by a solicitor who believes in being decent, even when the deadline looms and the printer’s jammed again.
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