When people think about hiring a divorce lawyer, they want to hire the best lawyer for their case. Sometimes people think best means someone who is aggressive, relentless, and ready to battle in court. But the qualities that truly set the best divorce lawyers apart go far beyond courtroom theatrics. Let’s explore the traits of the best divorce lawyers in this blog.
The Best Divorce Lawyers Expertise in Family Law Is a Starting Point
At the core, every competent divorce lawyer must have a strong understanding of family law. This is the baseline. But expertise alone isn’t enough to be truly exceptional in this emotionally charged field.
The Best Divorce Lawyers Have Strong Communication Skills
One of the most common complaints is feeling left in the dark on the progress of their case. The best divorce lawyers excel at communication — they keep clients informed, explain the process clearly, and make sure their clients understand what’s happening at every stage. This creates trust and helps reduce the stress of the legal journey.
The Best Divorce Lawyers have Soft Skills and Professional Reputation
Top-tier divorce lawyers are not just legal experts; they are also great listeners and emotionally intelligent professionals. They handle opposing counsel with civility and maintain a reputation for honesty and reasonableness. Judges and other lawyers take notice of attorneys who consistently take fair positions and speak the truth. These reputations matter, and they can influence outcomes.
The Best Divorce Lawyers Pick Settlement Over Courtroom Showdowns
Contrary to popular belief, the best divorce lawyers don’t default to trial as how to resolve the case. Instead, they prioritize negotiation and settlement through the Collaborative Divorce and Mediation processes, not because they’re afraid to fight, but because they understand that trials are costly, stressful, and should be a last resort. In most cases, a good lawyer can resolve matters without ever stepping into a courtroom. That’s not only better for the client emotionally but also financially.
For anyone looking to hire a divorce lawyer, one of the most revealing questions to ask is: “What percentage of your cases go to trial?” or “How often are your cases set for trial?” These questions will uncover whether an attorney leans more toward conflict or resolution. Even if a case settles the day before trial, much of the damage, emotional and financial, is already done by that point.
The Best Divorce Lawyers are Problem Solvers
The best divorce lawyers aren’t just fighters, they are problem-solvers. They blend legal knowledge with empathy, strategy with communication, and they aim to resolve issues, not escalating them. If you are looking for someone to guide you through divorce, find a lawyer who seeks solutions outside of court whenever possible.
The Law Offices of Patrick Markey, P.C., are located at 180 Stetson Avenue, Suite 3500 In Chicago, Illinois. You may call us at 312-223-1764.
Patrick Markey is a Chicago based attorney who is an advocate of no court divorce options. He believes Collaborative Divorce and Mediation create better outcomes to your divorce process.
Mr. Markey is a member of Super Lawyers, an elite group of the top 5% of top lawyers (https://www.superlawyers.com). He is also listed as a top divorce lawyer by AVVO (https://www.avvo.com) and is a fellow of Collaborative Divorce Illinois (https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org), as well as a member of The Chicago Bar Association (https://www.chicagobar.org)