Soft Skills Every Lawyer Needs

Kyla Denanyoh
19 hours ago
3 min read

David Sclar is a technology lawyer and the author of Workplace Strategies for Technology Lawyers. In this episode, David explains why soft skills are essential for modern legal careers, how he found his place in law after early uncertainty, and what lawyers can do to build careers that align with how they actually work.

About This Episode

Background

David Sclar did not enter the legal profession with aspirations of litigation or courtroom success. Early in his career, he worked at a healthcare-focused nonprofit where he observed how lawyers could bring structure, clarity, and cohesion to complex conversations involving powerful stakeholders. Watching a lawyer guide high-level decision makers toward consensus shaped David’s understanding of what he wanted his own legal career to look like.

“That lawyer framed everything for everybody throughout the meeting… always kind of adding cohesion and clarity," shares David Sclar on You Are A Lawyer.

That experience helped David recognize that his strengths lay in problem solving, communication, and helping people work together. Rather than being drawn to prestige-driven paths, he became interested in roles where lawyers act as collaborators and facilitators, helping organizations move forward through clarity rather than conflict.

Why Law School

David chose law school because he wanted to be a peacemaker and a problem solver, not because he envisioned himself arguing cases in court. While many of his peers were motivated by litigation or clerkships, David was searching for a way to help people navigate complexity and arrive at practical solutions.

“I went to law school because I wanted to solve problems and be a peacemaker and bring people together," explains David Sclar on Episode 227 of You Are a Lawyer.

During law school, David confronted the reality that some traditional markers of success were not the right fit for him. Letting go of the idea that he needed to follow the most prestigious path allowed him to focus on work he would actually enjoy, even if it looked different from what others expected.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

David’s career illustrates how legal training translates far beyond drafting documents or spotting issues. His work in law firms, startups, and in-house roles taught him that modern lawyers must be embedded in teams, working closely with engineers, marketers, and business leaders to provide actionable guidance.

“Being a lawyer who is participatory and intertwined with the product team… that’s what I’m thinking of," shares David Sclar on Episode 227 of You Are a Lawyer.

These experiences ultimately led David to write Workplace Strategies for Technology Lawyers, a practical guide focused on the soft skills lawyers need to succeed in fast-moving environments. His approach reframes legal success around service, context, and relationships rather than hierarchy or billable hours.

Lawyer Side Hustles

David’s book grew out of real-world experience rather than personal branding. While working at a startup, he began documenting lessons learned from chaos, growth, and leadership. Over time, those notes became a concise resource designed to help lawyers work better with clients and colleagues.

“I wanted to make this book as efficient as possible in giving people practical, useful information,” David Sclar expresses in Episode 227 of You Are a Lawyer.

In addition to writing, David spends time mentoring and advising early-career lawyers. His work outside traditional legal practice focuses on helping others navigate uncertainty, find mentorship, and build careers that feel sustainable rather than performative.