<p>While an in house attorney may not need to seek clients, someone who is hesitant to speak up will get eaten alive by his or her clients (the business folks who are out there trying to bring in revenue!). </p>
<p>I agree with unbelievablem that there is quite a difference between quiet and shy. A quiet lawyer who listens well and then jumps in when appropriate with insighful and intelligent comments can be quite successful, and may use the “quiet factor” very effectively in negotiations. A shy lawyer who is afraid to speak his or her mind or unwilling to put his or her ideas on the table will not be successful in the long run, and will do his or her clients a disservice.</p>