I believe that with the right tools and approach, almost any attorney can learn how to become a good trial lawyer.
First of all I’d like to share a short (and soon to be obvious) disclaimer with you. I’m a trial lawyer. I’m not an actor nor do I sound or look like one. I’m also not a professional director or video producer. I’m just a lawyer trying to share his almost 3 decades of trial experience and tips with others.
So I hope you find the resources at my blog useful. If you like what you see and hear, please share my blog and links other other lawyers who you feel may find this information useful. I’ve also put together a “Google Plus Trial Lawyer Tips Community” that is designed to compliment this site. With 400+ lawyers from around the world sharing trial tips, I think we’re off to a good start with the new Google+ Community for 2013! If your practice is focused on helping consumers and you do not represent corporations or insurance companies, then you’re invited to join us.
Now back to the purpose of this trial lawyer tips blog…
I started this trial tips blog because of what I hear and see each day in court. The fact of the matter is that many well-meaning and hard working lawyers (and their clients) are not getting the trial results they’re looking for. They don’t know the “game changing” answer to this critically important question…
What’s the single most important “thing” you need to know and do to consistently win trials?
Any way you slice it or dice it, trying a case can be a nerve racking experience. Even a bit scary at times. I know because that’s the way I felt when I tried my first jury trial back in 1986.
Now for the good news. It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, let’s “fast forward” 27 years. Today, when it comes to practicing law and helping clients, there’s nothing I enjoy more than answering ready for trial.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers and truly appreciate the fact that the experience of trying a case is different for everyone. Having said that, I have noticed and learned over the past two decades that there is definitely a right way to try your case and consistently get good results for your clients.
So, here’s my plan for 2013. In my free weekly tips (mostly videos), I’m going to show you exactly how I’ve been winning difficult cases for more than 27 years. I’m also going to reveal some of my best trial techniques and also some of the best that I’ve observed other lawyers use to win big verdicts.
In return, all that I ask is that you share this link and your comments and feedback with others.
If you have a particular point or trial technique you would like to share, please do so at our Google Plus Trial Lawyer Tips Community. Also share your thoughts in the comments section at this blog. Information is power if shared and acted upon. By sharing your comments, you’ll be empowering others. That’s what this this site is all about!
Make sure to get on my email update list using this link or the box to your right. In return, I promise not to waste your time and I’ll make sure to let you know when a new trial tip or video comes out. Also please feel free to “connect” and join me on social media.
Now the answer to the above question. The one common “secret’ all good trial lawyers share is that they’ve learned how to effectively be themselves and speak from the heart. Sure, much more is required to win your case but if you can master this one thing, you’ll be light years ahead of everyone else. FYI, I discuss this critically important issue, and more, in the above video.
_________________________
“…trial by jury…the only anchor ever yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution….”
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Tom Paine, 1789
Mitch: Just saw your voir dire video and its message about asking jurors what they would need to hear to find for your client. Great idea, but maybe I've been in front of the wrong judges. I would be worried about a judge cutting me off because he/she thinks I am conditioning the jury. Sure I will now ask my next judge if he/she will allow that, but what's your response to the judge who sustains a "conditioning" objection. I enjoyed your opening statement and voir dire clips. I like outside the box thinking.
David- Sometimes it's easier said than done. Believing in your client makes case selection a very important first step to winning your trial.
You hit the nail on the head, Mitch, you've got to be yourself and transfer your belief in your client and their case to the jury. That's why I never tried criminal cases.