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Author: Paul Luvera

Luvera practiced plaintiff law 55 years. He is past President of the Inner Circle of Advocates & Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Member ABOTA, American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy, International Society of Barristers and the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Book Luvera on Advocacy available at Trial Guides Publishing Email paul@luvera.org
THE ROLE OF EMOTION IN DECISIONS

THE ROLE OF EMOTION IN DECISIONS

The single most revered precept in law is that of objectivity, rational thinking and absence of emotion in arriving at conclusions. It was drilled into our heads by law professors, case law and legal textbooks that we were to completely exclude any emotional component when analyzing or reasoning. For trial lawyers our experienced has historically been a repeated insistence by the judge, jury instructions and appellate decisions that all emotion must be excluded in evidence  or with regard to arriving…

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LEARN TO LISTEN

LEARN TO LISTEN

I’ve written about the relationship of stage presence for actors and it’s importance for trial lawyers. There is a similar connection between listening in theater and for trial lawyers. Actors must learn to respond to the other actor’s lines. That requires good eye contact, intense listening and good timing. It has been said that even when the actor doesn’t have a line and is not involved with a speaking part, they still must listen intently to what is going on…

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ARGUING A CONSORTIUM CLAIM IN A BRAIN DAMAGE CASE

ARGUING A CONSORTIUM CLAIM IN A BRAIN DAMAGE CASE

Have you thought about the reality of a consortium loss of a spouse who has been seriously injured ? The truth is that the loss isn’t just one of love. It is much more than that. In a situation involving brain injury it involves  adjusting to an entirely new person. Here are some thoughts to consider in such a case: 1.     HE   MARRIED HER FOR WHO SHE WAS WHEN THEY MARRIED  & OVER 40 YRS GREW TO LOVE WHO SHE BECAME They…

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