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Month: October 2010

Trial check list

Trial check list

I’m preparing for a major damage trial scheduled to start in a couple of weeks. I’m going through my check lists to get ready so I thought I’d share this basic check list I use/ My procedure is to have individual check list for different aspects of the trial. This one is simply a general reminder list of things to consider. Perhaps something her will be of help to you in your trial practice.                                                                                                                  ATTORNEY TRIAL OUTLINE PRE-TRIAL Experts   Economist Cost of careAnimationPosters/illustrationsMedical illustrations…

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The role of emotion in decision making

The role of emotion in decision making

Most of us were taught in law school the legal system is a rational, logical system. Our trial system was created with the belief that people are intelligent and rational beings who think and decide as such. The whole system was designed to eliminate emotion in dispensing justice and rely solely upon rational, logical and intellectual processing. Over the many years our trial and justice system has functioned judges and appellate courts have clung to that belief. For example, the…

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The book, the houstons and being a great trial lawyer

The book, the houstons and being a great trial lawyer

I just finished a book I thoroughly enjoyed, The Houstons The life and times of a Hollywood dynasty by Lawrence Grobel. I thought several passages contained good advice for trial lawyers about communication, particularly pauses and timing. Joshua Karton is one of the best teachers about communications I have known and this advice is consistent with Josh’s teaching. All trial lawyers have to be actors. By that I don’t mean pretending to be or think something as a hypocrite, but…

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