Sunday, November 9, 2025
Picture this: It's 11 PM the night before trial. Are you buried in research? Reviewing strategic contingencies? Getting rest to stay sharp? Or perfecting your opening story?
It’s certainly no secret that attorneys approach their work differently, but these differences have rarely been described systematically. Steno has developed the Attorney Work Styles framework to help attorneys understand how they naturally process information, respond to pressure and execute their work. The result is better individual performance and smoother collaboration.
The answer to that 11 PM question? It reveals one of four distinct attorney types:
● The Research Commander builds cases on the bedrock of legal precedent. TheSE attorneys create bulletproof legal arguments backed by authoritative citations, often uncovering obscure but relevant precedents that others miss. When they cite authority, it carries weight because everyone knows they've done the deep work.
● The Strategic Architect treats case management as precision engineering. These attorneys understand how case elements interconnect, creating comprehensive strategies that account for multiple variables and potential outcomes. They transform chaotic litigation environments into organized, actionable plans.
● The Courtroom Dynamo thrives when the pressure is on. These attorneys read room dynamics instantly, adapting their approach in real-time based on what's happening in front of them. High-pressure situations energize them, making them formidable in trial advocacy and emergency hearings.
● The Narrative Weaver approaches cases like a novelist. They transform complex legal arguments into persuasive human narratives that resonate with judges, juries and clients. They build strong relationships through empathetic communication and excel at making technical issues accessible and memorable.
Recognizing your primary work style isn't just interesting, it's useful. Here's five ways it translates into tangible professional benefits:
1. Play to your strengths. You can structure your practice around your natural strengths. Research Commanders can build systematic research protocols, while Courtroom Dynamos can create quick-reference systems that support split-second decision-making.
2. Reduce team friction. When you recognize that a Research Commander's thoroughness and a Courtroom Dynamo's quick thinking both serve valid purposes, friction decreases. A Strategic Architect's organizational framework can help a Narrative Weaver's presentations reach their full potential, while the Narrative Weaver ensures those comprehensive plans actually connect with real people.
3. Collaborate smarter. Knowing you're a Research Commander helps you understand why the Courtroom Dynamo on your team gets impatient with extensive research memos, and how to give them the quick summary they need. Meanwhile, that Dynamo learns why your thorough approach prevents costly mistakes they might otherwise make.
4. Manage your blind spots. Research Commanders can set research deadlines to avoid analysis paralysis. Strategic Architects can build flexibility into their systems. Courtroom Dynamos can create support structures for necessary preparation. Narrative Weavers can develop processes ensuring their stories rest on solid legal foundations.
5. Grow strategically. Understanding these work styles enables smarter professional development. Rather than fighting your natural approach, you can enhance your strengths while strategically borrowing techniques from other archetypes when situations demand different responses.
Of course, most attorneys demonstrate elements of multiple work styles depending on circumstances. The strongest legal professionals develop flexibility to access different approaches as cases require. However, understanding which approach you naturally default to under pressure provides valuable self-awareness that translates directly into professional effectiveness.
Whether you're the attorney still researching at midnight or the one getting rest before the big day, understanding your work style transforms everyday observations into actionable insights for individual development and team collaboration. That self-awareness might just be your litigation advantage.
Discover your Attorney Work Style. It only takes four minutes.
