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Course with employment: “Profession Methodist from scratch to PRO"
Learn moreSoft Skills Law Academy
The essence of the project is to develop an innovative solution that meets modern requirements and user needs. We strive to create a product that is not only functional but also easy to use. Our team is working to ensure high quality and efficiency, which will attract the target audience and increase competitiveness in the market. An important aspect is the implementation of modern technologies that will ensure the reliability and safety of our product. We are confident that the implemented concept will become the basis for successful development and long-term cooperation with clients.
The combination of jurisprudence, psychology, and business is an important aspect of modern legal training, allowing for the development of soft skills necessary for successful work in the legal field. The integration of these disciplines helps lawyers better understand client psychology, effectively manage their time and resources, and develop strategies for successful case management. Soft skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking are becoming an integral part of legal training, contributing to their competitiveness in the labor market. This approach enables lawyers to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and demands, a key factor in success in their professional practice.
The launch year of a project is a key moment determining its further development and success. This period serves as the starting point for all subsequent actions and strategies. Importantly, the right launch time can significantly impact the perception of a product or service in the market. A successful launch requires careful preparation, analysis of the target audience, and the competitive environment. The launch year can also become the basis for shaping a brand's image and its subsequent positioning.
In 2018, many significant events occurred that impacted various areas of life. It was a year filled with political changes, economic fluctuations, and cultural achievements. The political arena witnessed important elections and changes in international relations. The economy experienced both growth and instability, which impacted financial markets. Cultural events such as festivals, exhibitions, and premieres attracted audiences and critics, contributing to the development of the arts and entertainment sector. 2018 was a significant milestone, setting future trends and directions in various fields.
The training we offer is aimed at developing key skills and knowledge in a variety of fields. Our program includes both theoretical and practical classes, enabling participants to gain valuable knowledge and experience. We emphasize modern methods and technologies to help our students successfully adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. The training is organized in a convenient format, including both in-person and online sessions, making it accessible to a wide audience. Our courses are designed with current industry needs and trends in mind, guaranteeing high-quality knowledge and skills.
Online and offline training for lawyers is an important tool for professional development and advancement. Participation in such training allows lawyers to update their knowledge of legislative changes, master new practices and techniques, and share experiences with colleagues. Online training provides flexibility and accessibility, allowing lawyers to study at a convenient time and from any location. Offline training, in turn, creates the opportunity for live communication and networking. The choice between online and offline formats depends on the participant's personal preferences and goals. It is important to choose programs that meet the current requirements of the profession and promote the development of essential skills.
The founder is the key figure responsible for the creation and development of a company or project. Her vision and strategies play a decisive role in shaping the business model and culture of the organization. The founder not only initiates ideas but also inspires the team, manages resources, and makes important decisions aimed at achieving goals. Successful female founders often possess unique skills such as leadership, creativity, and adaptability in a rapidly changing business environment. Their contributions to industry development and the creation of innovative solutions make them important figures in the world of entrepreneurship.
Anna Sorokina is a name that can be associated with various personalities and achievements. It is important to note that Anna Sorokina can be known in various fields, such as art, science, business, and other fields. For a more precise understanding, it is necessary to clarify which Anna Sorokina is being referred to. If you are looking for information about a specific person, please specify, and I can provide more detailed information.
Links play an important role in the structure and functionality of web pages. They allow users to move between pages, providing site navigation and access to a variety of resources. Proper use of links can significantly improve a site's SEO ranking, as search engines take into account the quantity and quality of external links. Internal links help distribute page weight and improve content indexing. A variety of link types, such as text, image, and anchor links, also impact usability and user perception of information. Link optimization, including the use of keywords in anchor text, can increase a site's visibility in search engines. Links are an integral part of any online resource and require careful creation and placement to achieve maximum effectiveness.
In 2018, Anna Sorokina, an experienced lawyer in international consulting, founded an educational platform to support lawyers in developing key soft skills. The focus is on skills such as effective thinking, stress resilience, emotional intelligence, negotiation, and public speaking. This initiative aims to help legal professionals adapt to changes in the professional environment and improve their competitive position.
The concept of soft skills training was not new, but specialized projects for legal audiences were absent from the market. Anna was unsure how lawyers would perceive such an educational product, but she decided to take the risk. The result was successful: in just three years, the Academy has grown into a large project, actively collaborating with leading universities. The Academy's founder has become a recognized expert in soft skills for the legal profession.
Skillbox Media asked Anna to talk about the formation and development of her Soft Skills Law Academy. This experience may inspire you if you are considering creating your own educational project in a highly specialized field.
How self-discovery helped me see an unfilled niche in the market
I dedicated 14 years of my life to the legal profession. I started as a corporate lawyer and then moved into international legal consulting. This experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the legal environment and develop the skills necessary for a successful legal practice.
In 2011–2012, I felt myself approaching professional burnout. Despite participating in large international transactions, I became bored. I was looking for drive and energy in my work. Work had become routine, with every day feeling the same. This period forced me to consider the need for change and seek new opportunities for professional and personal growth.
I began searching for my true calling and figuring out what exactly I wanted to do with my life. I tried various courses in photography and design, but realized they weren't for me. I remembered my love for psychology, which began in my student years, when I avidly read the works of Freud, Carnegie, and Berne. Psychology attracts me with its depth and the opportunity to understand human emotions and behavior, which inspires me to further develop in this field.
I always dreamed of becoming a psychologist, so I decided to get a second degree in this field. I studied part-time, but after a year, it became clear that this format did not provide the necessary knowledge and skills for full-time work in the profession.
I completed a year-long coaching program, which radically changed my life. It became the starting point for a new perception of myself, those around me, and my professional work. After coaching, I continued my studies in a business coaching program, which helped me realize that teaching soft skills is exactly what I want to do. I concluded that this field could bring significant benefits to the legal community. There are important meta-skills, such as emotional intelligence, effective communication in negotiations, networking, and leadership, that, unfortunately, are not taught in universities. These skills play a key role in the success of lawyers and their career advancement.
First Steps as a Business Trainer
While studying, I continued to work at an international law firm. Having received my business trainer certificate, I proposed to the management that I organize training sessions and seminars for lawyers. The idea was received positively, but its implementation required compliance with the policies of the headquarters in Germany, where there was no similar experience. As a result, I was offered to conduct internal training sessions for colleagues. After several such sessions, I realized that I needed to expand my audience. Training lawyers from competing consulting companies in a corporate setting would be impractical. This realization became the starting point for my decision to leave consulting and start a new career in training and development.
Choosing an Educational Product
While studying at various courses, I encountered the problem of the content of the programs not corresponding to the actual requirements of legal practice. Faculty members often had backgrounds in other fields, such as journalism or sociology, which reduced the quality of training. It is important that training be conducted by practicing lawyers with relevant knowledge and experience in the field so that students can gain the necessary skills and understanding of modern legal realities.
Based on my own experience, I realized that lawyers lack training in soft skills tailored to their specific needs. Lawyers face unique challenges in public appearances, such as court hearings, and in client interactions. Furthermore, building a professional brand and developing a network of business contacts, as well as managing legal teams, are important aspects. These skills are crucial for a successful practice and career advancement for lawyers.
Working as a lawyer requires not only in-depth legal knowledge but also developed soft skills, which play a critical role in professional activity. Mastery of litigation or the ability to develop complex legal frameworks alone are not enough to achieve success. The ability to establish rapport with clients, colleagues, and management is becoming integral to success in this profession. Some lawyers interact minimally with clients, focusing on analyzing documents and case law. However, even such specialists must possess knowledge of argumentation and legal writing skills, which are also considered soft skills.
With the development of technology and automation, lawyers engaged in routine work and drafting claims may be at risk of being replaced. At the same time, unique human qualities such as creativity and empathy remain in demand. A lawyer not only fulfills a legal function but also acts as a psychologist, supporting clients during difficult times and instilling confidence in a positive outcome. Therefore, future successful lawyers must focus on developing soft skills that will help them stand out from the automation and maintain their value in the profession.
I started looking for centers offering soft skills training for lawyers, but I didn't find anything suitable. I also didn't find any specialists who could teach these skills. It seems that I am destined to become an expert in this field.
How the Soft Skills Academy Was Created
The idea of becoming a private trainer or opening a "one-teacher school" did not seem attractive to me. From the very beginning, I aimed to create a platform that unites experts in the field of public speaking, time management, negotiation, and other important skills. My goal is to provide access to the knowledge and experience of professionals so that everyone can develop and improve.
While searching for teachers, I discovered that the market is short of qualified specialists whose work suits me, as well as those who can effectively communicate and establish rapport with an audience. There are especially few professionals willing to work with lawyers, as this requires a deep understanding of the specifics of legal practice. Training participants are eager to discuss real-world cases, such as complex negotiations, dealing with difficult judges, or communicating with different types of clients.
Finding true professionals in their field is no easy task. Finding professionals who are also enthusiastic is even more challenging. At the start of a project, it's impossible to guarantee a stable salary for a teacher, as it's unclear how many students will enroll in the course—two, three, ten, or twenty. Initially, it's usually possible to negotiate only a profit-sharing arrangement, but not all teachers agree to such terms. Having a community of like-minded individuals significantly simplifies the process of finding future colleagues to collaborate on a project with and helps in the development of the project. Creating such communities can be a key element in the successful launch of educational initiatives.
I realized that the main problem of any school lies in the competencies of its teachers. I searched for colleagues for a long time with whom I could work, but I didn't always find common ground. Ultimately, I decided to train teachers myself, creating a new community from scratch focused on developing soft skills. This allows us to jointly convey the SSLA project's shared mission and values to students, which in turn promotes high-quality learning and the development of professional skills in students.
I don't have an administrative team, except for one personal assistant. I handle most tasks myself. When necessary, I turn to freelancers for additional tasks.
The initial participants in my trainings were acquaintances. Thanks to my studies at Moscow State University and my experience in international consulting, I had built a wide network of contacts among lawyers. Upon learning about the launch of the soft skills training project, they began contacting me. Some came to the trainings simply for support, while others invited me to conduct corporate training for their teams. After the first few classes, word of mouth began to spread rapidly: despite its vast geography, the legal market is quite narrow, and everyone knows each other well. Lawyers from different regions willingly shared information, and positive reviews of my work quickly spread.
A year after its opening, the Academy organized joint forums "Be More Than a Lawyer" with 4LEGAL and "Litigation Skills" in collaboration with the Pravo.ru portal. These events have become an important platform for discussing current issues in the legal profession and exchanging experiences among specialists.
At the beginning of our journey, we held several corporate training sessions a month, but within a year their number had increased significantly. The first training events were held over one full day or two evenings. We actively experimented and sought optimal ways to organize training. It soon became clear that there was no one-size-fits-all approach, and we needed to adapt to the needs of our clients, particularly law firms.
We don't advertise. In the beginning, we used Facebook targeting, but that was it. I tried collaborating with legal marketers, but our visions didn't align. I value sincerity, psychology, and emotion, whereas marketing emphasizes algorithms and clear action plans. This is contrary to my principles.
A New Stage: How Collaboration with Universities Began
The Academy has significantly expanded its capabilities in the area of collaboration with universities. The first university course on soft skills was launched at the Institute of Business Law (MSAL) just a few months after the start of our project – in the fall of 2018. At that time, the director of the institute was Dmitry Grits, who deeply understood the importance of soft skills in education. Just recently, we jointly wrote the book "Skills of a Modern Lawyer: Soft Skills that Improve Efficiency and Quality of Life." Three years ago, he supported my initiative to create a training program for students, despite MSAL's conservative approach. The first course enrollment attracted 150 students – the auditorium was completely full, even though classes were held on Saturday mornings. This demonstrates a growing interest in developing the skills necessary for a successful career in the legal field.
In February 2019, I was offered to teach a similar course at the HSE Faculty of Law. Unlike my previous experience, this time I worked with a small group of the most motivated students who had passed the selection process. I have positive memories of this period, and I still maintain friendly relations with some of those students. I value the opportunity to maintain contact with many alumni, which underscores the importance of interaction between professors and students.
Due to personnel changes at Moscow State Law University, my departure, and the pandemic, the course for undergraduates was transferred to an online format. I decided not to limit myself to one university so that as many students as possible could develop their skills at our Academy. I like the idea of geographical diversity, bringing together representatives from various universities and CIS countries in a single online group. This creates a unique opportunity to share experiences and expand learning horizons.
Working with students brings me great pleasure, as they are open to new knowledge and ideas. We offer access to our video lectures on the Universarium platform for just 1,000 rubles, a symbolic fee. All of our instructors, representing various universities across Russia, work on the course for students on a voluntary basis, and the materials are available to anyone. This is an excellent opportunity for students to receive a high-quality education and expand their horizons.
I began thinking about training university instructors so they could apply our methodology to their work with students. This became the basis for our second focus area, higher education. In the summer of 2020, we conducted training for 34 instructors from Russia and Belarus. Currently, we are implementing a course for students together with the graduates of this group.
