Why Lawyers Should Trust Their Intuition
Good lawyers often rely on their instincts—whether they’re crafting a case strategy or making business decisions. When your gut tells you something, don’t dismiss it.
Intuition Deserves Your Attention
That quiet sense that something’s not quite right? That’s your intuition in action. It’s the mental process that connects the dots before your conscious mind catches up. It’s why creative breakthroughs often come in the shower or while you’re asleep. Intuition is more than guesswork—it’s a vital tool that can guide your next move.
Intuition Means Knowing Without Analyzing
When a good idea strikes without any obvious reasoning, that’s intuition talking. It differs from judgment, which is based on deliberate analysis. Still, both work hand in hand—intuition sparks ideas, and judgment helps shape and refine them.
It’s Experience, Not a Guess
Intuition isn’t a wild hunch—it’s shaped by experience. The more you’ve seen and learned, the more your mind can quickly recognize patterns or red flags. That instinctive feeling that a client may bring unnecessary drama? Or the sense that a witness is more credible than they seem on paper? That’s your background and knowledge informing your gut reaction.
Lawyers often follow their instincts when declining risky clients, assessing witnesses, making hiring decisions, or diving deeper into a research thread that feels “off.” Your expertise allows you to notice what doesn’t fit—and intuition helps you act on it.
Combine Instinct with Planning
Sometimes, intuition pushes you toward immediate action. But when possible, pause and plan. A pros-and-cons list or a decision matrix can help clarify your next steps. For complex matters, it might be useful to map out each issue alongside the action it requires—whether that’s further investigation, discovery, a meeting, or mediation.
What won’t help? Repeating the same default steps you use in every situation. Let your intuition guide you when something feels different.
Trust It in Real-Time Interactions
Whether you’re in a meeting, mediation, or courtroom, let your instincts guide you—especially in person. Even in virtual settings, body language, tone, and subtle cues can offer valuable insights. A good negotiator senses these shifts and adjusts accordingly.
Intuition can also tell you when someone is unprepared or holding something back. If you’re fully present, you can adapt in the moment—whether it’s changing your argument or seizing the opportunity to move discussions forward. That adaptability might make the difference in negotiations, depositions, or interviews.
Some attorneys miss these cues because they’re focused on what to say next. But your intuition can only work if you’re actively listening and engaged. Don’t hesitate to pause or take a break if you need time to process what your gut is telling you.
Let Your Gut Lead When It Counts
Instincts can point you toward new lines of questioning, helpful insights, or red flags. Whether it’s adjusting strategy, collaborating with an opposing party, or protecting a client, learning to trust—and act on—your intuition can be one of your most powerful tools as a lawyer.
