Let’s start with the obvious: Experience matters. We have to do hard things that require not just academic learning, but extensive real-world experience: Cross-examining a veteran detective who has seen every lawyer’s trick in the book and knows how to pounce on any opening given to them to further incriminate the client. Researching and writing a cutting-edge motion that doesn’t read like it was written by “ChatGPT.” Believing that the law is not a static thing etched in a tablet, but a living thing that can evolve and change to better accomplish the goal of doing justice. Persuading a prosecutor to do what is hard for them - to take a risk and agree to an outcome that is more about rehabilitation and redemption than punishment.

Beyond that, think about the skills that a criminal defense lawyer has to master to effectively represent a client. People skills - the power to persuade a prosecutor, judge or juror. The lawyer has to be able to analyze with intellectual rigor, and effectively argue, the vast modern library of criminal law and criminal procedure and courtroom rules. The lawyer has to have a powerful innate empathy towards others, including others that are very different from him or her. And finally, the lawyer has to be a good storyteller. As the old adage goes, no one is ever convinced by facts, they are convinced by a good story. And finally, the lawyer must have good judgment, which does not necessarily go hand in hand with how charismatic the person is, or how good of a "salesman" the lawyer is.