This is a subject about which I’m totally unqualified to render an opinion. I’m perfectly comfortable discussing a man’s trial uniform. A man’s trial proper courtroom attire normally is a dark suit, white or blue shirt, a tie that may have a pattern but not a loud one, brown or black shoes coordinated with the [...]
Today’s headline in the local newspaper is “Jury awards $3.7M to estate of Munchbar shooting victim.” The newspaper account describes how a jury awarded the estate of the deceased $3.5 million with the tavern being held responsible for 75% and other participants in a fight leading up to the shooting being responsible for the remaining 25%. The shooter [...]
David Boies is America’s preeminent trial lawyer. His successes include cases, such as that against California’s Proposition 8 and the Microsoft antitrust case. In an interview with Katrina Dewey for Lawdragon, he described his belief that it was an honor to make a living and a difference practicing law: “I’ve always believed that one [...]
David Boies once again proved his preeminence as a cross-examiner in California’s Proposition 8 case. After driving out two of the other side’s experts when he took their depositions, Boies then turned the one remaining expert into his with his cross-examination at trial. How does David Boies over and over again conduct devastating cross-examinations? [...]
An important manual concerning courthouse dogs has just become available to the public. Courthouse dogs provide emotional support for child and other vulnerable victims and witnesses in the legal system. In the not too distant past, vulnerable victims were given short shrift by the justice system. The manual recounts my experiences with children in [...]
The Second Edition of Cross-Examination Handbook: Persuasion, Strategies, and Techniques has just been published by Wolters Kluwer. This new edition continues its straightforward step-by-step instruction combined with examples from illustrious trials including the Zimmerman trial. The new edition adds, among other topics, visual cross-examination, social media impeachment and the interplay of discovery and cross. Also, [...]
This month, the King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin published Charles Burdell’s discussion of DON’TS for mediations. Charlie Burdell (pictured above waterskiing on Lake Washington August of last year) had a career in private practice. He later became a King County Superior Court Judge before becoming a full time arbitrator and mediator. His helpful Bar [...]
This month, the King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin published Thomas M. O’Toole’s excellent recommendations on how to prepare a deponent. Mr. O’Toole is the President of Sound Jury Consulting, and his following advice is well worth reading and heeding: The deposition performance of a key witness is critical to the outcome of any case. [...]
The Courtroom Culture A successful trial lawyer adapts to the courtroom culture. While protocols vary somewhat from courthouse to courthouse and even courtroom to courtroom in the same courthouse, minimum standards of conduct do exist. In the following article, King County Superior Court Judge John P. Erlick provides concrete advice concerning those standards. His advice [...]
