By Scott Walker, Trainer, Speaker, and Consultant Solicitor at Richard Nelson LLP
When people picture a successful lawyer, the image that often comes to mind is one of confidence, outspokenness, boldness, and authority. For years, I believed that because I didn’t match this stereotype, I might not have a place in the profession. I’m an introvert and a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and for a long time, I carried the belief that being quiet, shy, or reflective was a trait that held me back.
The truth I’ve discovered is that these traits aren’t weaknesses. In fact, they can be some of the most powerful strengths a lawyer can bring to the table.
To start, it’s important to clarify what we mean when we talk about introverts and extroverts:
Introverts - Tend to draw energy from time alone or in quieter settings. They often prefer reflection before action and may find too much stimulation draining.
Ambiverts - Fall somewhere in between being an introvert or extrovert; they can enjoy both solitude and sociability, and flex depending on the situation.
Extroverts - Usually gain energy from social interaction. They think and process ideas out loud, thrive in group settings, and often feel energised by activity.
It’s a spectrum rather than a box, and most of us move along it depending on context, environment, and energy levels.
One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is the belief that being introverted means being shy. They are not the same thing.
Introversion - Is about where you get your energy from (quiet reflection vs external stimulation and social interaction).
Shyness - Is about fear of judgment in social situations.
You can be introverted and not shy at all, or you can be extroverted and shy. Personally, I’ve experienced both - I’m introverted and socially anxious at times - but separating the two concepts is essential for understanding how we function and thrive.
Many introverts may also identify as being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). While some of the traits overlap, it is a distinct concept. Around 15–20% of the population are HSPs, meaning their nervous systems are more finely tuned to subtleties and stimulation.
An HSP processes information - both emotional and environmental - more deeply than others. They might find that they are more affected by noise, stress, conflict, and other people’s moods. HSPs often have a rich inner world, are highly observant, experience emotions deeply, and may struggle with overstimulation.
For lawyers, this can manifest as:
Noticing details others might miss
Being deeply empathetic to clients’ needs
Feeling more affected by conflict or overstimulation
While it can bring challenges (overwhelm, stress, needing more downtime), it also equips us with an incredible capacity for insight, compassion, emotional intelligence, and client care - qualities that are invaluable in practice areas like private client law.
Of course, it can also present difficulties when dealing with grief and conversations about death and illness daily. Recognising if we (or our colleagues) are HSP helps us manage the challenges and stresses associated with working in Wills and probate law.
Whether we are introverted, extroverted, HSP, or shy (or a blend of these traits), we are all unique, with different and equally valid strengths. We still need extroverted lawyers, the confident networkers who enjoy social interactions, build rapport quickly, bring energy to a room, and help others feel at ease. They are often skilled at thinking out loud, articulating ideas on the spot, and contributing actively to discussions and meetings.
For those of us who are introverted, shy, or HSP, it is not something that needs to be fixed. It’s a way of experiencing the world, and with the right tools, it can help us thrive in a legal career.
When I was starting out in law, I was told more than once that I was too quiet to succeed. That comment stuck with me and, for a time, made me feel like I didn’t belong.
But as my career progressed, I began to see things differently. My abilities to listen deeply, reflect before advising, and empathise with clients weren’t weaknesses, they were exactly what clients valued most. In fact, they made me more effective in areas like Wills, probate, and estate planning, where sensitivity and trust are critical.
Introverted qualities help us connect more easily with clients because we can have deep and meaningful conversations on a one-to-one basis and ask difficult questions calmly, compassionately, and honestly. This encourages clients to open up, feel understood, and trust us. All our introverted traits help us to really understand our clients’ challenges.
Today, those same qualities that once felt like barriers are the foundation of everything I do - in my work with clients, in my training and speaking, and in my personal life.
The law is a people business. Yes, technical knowledge and legal expertise are essential, but the way we understand and interact with people is often what makes the difference between an average lawyer and an exceptional one.
Here are a few reasons why personality awareness is so important in law:
Teamwork and productivity - Treating everyone the same is a common mistake. Introverts and extroverts work, process, and contribute differently. Valuing both equally creates happier, more productive teams.
Client relationships - Adapting to a client’s personality type can reduce misunderstandings and complaints. Some clients need time to process information; others want to talk through everything in detail. Meeting them where they are builds trust and satisfaction.
Conflict prevention - Many workplace conflicts are simply clashes of personality styles. Recognising the root of these differences allows managers to prevent issues before they escalate.
Retention and wellbeing - Lawyers who feel understood and valued for who they are are more likely to stay and thrive.
Here are some simple, practical ways lawyers and managers can start applying these ideas:
In meetings - Pause to invite contributions from quieter team members. Give agendas in advance, so introverts have time to reflect and prepare. Set expectations up front and agree on how the meeting will be structured.
With clients - Notice whether a client processes best in writing or verbally, and adapt your communication style.
As a manager, rotate between structured discussions (great for extroverts) and written reflections (ideal for introverts).
Personally, if you’re introverted, give yourself permission to recharge after high-energy events. If you’re extroverted, be mindful of giving others space to reflect.
This is exactly what I explore in my training session, The Power of Personality in Law: How understanding introversion and extroversion transforms legal practice, teamwork, and client care.
The session helps legal professionals and firms:
Build stronger, more collaborative teams
Improve client relationships by adapting communication
Reduce complaints and conflicts
Unlock the hidden strengths in both colleagues and clients
There’s no one “type” of lawyer. Whether you’re quiet, loud, reflective, energetic, or somewhere in between, there’s a place for you in law. By understanding ourselves and others, we can build a profession that values every voice and delivers better outcomes for clients.
If you’ve ever felt too quiet, too sensitive, or too different to belong in law, know that your traits may be your greatest strengths. The power of personality is not about changing who we are, but about recognising, valuing, and harnessing what we each bring to the profession. We don’t need to become someone else to be successful in law. We need to become more of who we already are.
Scott Walker is a Consultant Solicitor at Richard Nelson LLP, a trainer, and a speaker in Wills and probate law. He is also an introvert, a Highly Sensitive Person, and someone who was once told he was too quiet to make it in law. But Scott has found that the very traits he and others thought were weaknesses have actually become his biggest strengths.
Scott now helps legal professionals and law firms understand how introversion and extroversion shape the way we work, build teams, and support clients - and how embracing those differences can transform both careers and client relationships. He also helps and supports legal professionals and private client teams with practical skills-based and technical training in all areas of Wills and probate law.
At Title Research, we specialise in supporting Solicitors with complex estate administration. Whether it’s verifying entitlement, locating missing beneficiaries, or dealing with overseas assets, our team is here to make the process more efficient and risk-free.
Title Research provides fast, fixed-fee access to genealogical research, making us the safe choice for the resolution of complex estate administration cases. If you want to find out more, get in touch with our Client Services Team by calling 0345 87 27 600 or emailing info@titleresearch.com.