At the Gerry Spence Trial College the following rules are taught as the correct approach to jury selection: Be yourself – be real. Embrace the truth even if it hurts Have a conversation with the jury not a lecture Determine the issues in your case. What am I afraid of? Share with the jury yourself before you ask them to share with you Focus on the juror. Mentally shake hands with the juror you are talking to Thank them for…
I received a form letter asking for money to support a judicial candidate. It’s typical of many such letters we get in the mail. This one is a good illustration of a poor approach to persuasionn. It began with a statement in large capital letters "Harry needs your help." It followed that with"Judge Harry Smith’s future on the court depends upon the support…of friends." It went on to say "We want to make certain that Harry receives the financial support…
I’ve just returned from my annual trip to the Spence Trial College which is conducted on a remote ranch about two hours drive from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I like to claim thatsince the time I was invited by Gerry to teach there when it first began over a decade ago, it’s so I can teach lawyers how to try cases. But, the cold hard truth is that I go there to learn more than to teach. I have become friends…