Judges
A trial lawyer must constantly re-examine and improve courtroom performance
Successful courtroom performance necessitates a combination of thorough preparation and improvisation. The preparation is needed just as any battle requires preparation.
Judges benefit all by giving litigants compassion and sufficient time for their cases
Whether or not their colleagues or administrative judges pressure them to do so, many judges in very busy courthouses place a disproportionately high premium on moving dockets along even if at the expense of delivering true justice,
Battling by rattling the opponent’s agenda while keeping both eyes on the prize
If the prosecutor comes to court with a smirking attitude, the defense lawyer does not need to do anything to wipe the smirk off the prosecutor's face other than doing the criminal defense lawyer's job, keeping his eyes on the prize.
Persuasion through seed planting and seed watering
A criminal defense lawyer has a choice between wowing a client with oratory and panache, or delivering results in a more subtle way. Results are always more important than oratory and panache, although sometimes all can be accomplished at once. When the client has faith...