During the time of presidential debates, NPR had a program “Secrets of Winning the Presidential Debates.” It consisted of ideas and recommendations from political advisors and those skilled in public speaking. Some of the advice include the following ideas: develop a list of three items you MUST say in the debate. Have it in front of you. Use it as a checklist before each answer you give. Try to fit it into more than one answer. In giving responses keep…
In May 2017 British television broadcast a five part series about a fictional murder case called The Trial. The witnesses were all actors. The judge and the barristers, however, were actually professionals in the British legal system. The judge was an experienced member of the bench and the two barristers well known barristers. The jury was made up of 12 members of the British public. The jury was aware that actors were involved as witnesses and that the case was…
In 1936 Dale Carnegie published a book with the tile “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Whatever your reaction to the title, the contents are the single most accurate collection of truths about human nature and communications. The book is still as popular today as it has been since it’s publication in 1936. I recommend it as required reading for all lawyers and especially trial lawyers. Here is a very brief outline of the fundamentals taught in the book….