How to pick and present trial experts

To build business, try not writing like a lawyer

By Dolan Media Newswires
Published: October 17, 2011
Tags: Practice Tips

When it comes to writing for marketing and business-building, even the brightest of attorneys has to be reminded of the basics for effective communications: • Use short, complete sentences. • Choose active voice and action words. • Avoiding case citations and legalese. • Be succinct. In fact, one might say that writing for contracts and [...]

Scalia to Richmond Bar: Persuade judges with good writing, accuracy

By Sarah Rodriguez
Published: October 17, 2011
Tags: Bar Associations, Practice Tips, U.S. Supreme Court

As long as there have been judges, there have been people telling you how to persuade judges, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told a crowd of 500 lawyers and judges at the annual Richmond Bench Bar conference Oct. 13. But Scalia, known for his wit on the bench, received many a laugh as he [...]

Establishing ground rules to help jurors judge your case

By Dolan Media Newswires
Published: October 11, 2011
Tags: Practice Tips

Baseball has a strike zone and the infield fly rule. Football has clipping and onside kicks. Basketball has both personal and team fouls. And in the litigation arena there are pre-trial and in-limine rulings. Judges are the umpires and referees. They both make the rules and make the attorneys follow the rules. Litigators understand what [...]

Don’t bill for thank-you notes: Working with corporate counsel

By Deborah Elkins
Published: September 9, 2011
Tags: Corporate Counsel, Practice Tips

Relationships matter, goes the familiar marketing maxim. And communications are the key to a successful collaboration between a lawyer and the in-house legal counsel who hires the lawyer. Notice, it’s the lawyer who is hired, not necessarily the law firm. “When I need to reach out to someone, I think of a lawyer, as opposed [...]

When making a pitch, use ‘micro-scripts’

By Correy E. Stephenson
Published: August 15, 2011
Tags: Litigation Support, Practice Tips

Whether pitching services to a potential client or trying to sway a jury, communication is essential for lawyers. The best way to get a message across that will stick with listeners, according to Connecticut-based author and marketer Bill Schley, is by using a short, metaphorical phrase he calls a “micro-script.” “If you tell someone six [...]

Checklists in your law practice, from simple to sophisticated

By Dolan Media Newswires
Published: August 4, 2011
Tags: Practice Tips

Most lawyers use a variety of lists – “to do” lists, task lists, checklists. Because lawyers tend to be deadline driven and the consequences of missing certain deadlines can be quite severe, many use their calendar as a primary organizational tool. And almost every one of us keeps a “to do” list. Such a list [...]

Using social media as part of your trial preparation

By Sylvia Hsieh
Published: July 15, 2011
Tags: Practice Tips, Social Media

For years now, jury researchers have been using the Internet to gauge public sentiment and investigate potential jurors. The media-fueled frenzy of the Casey Anthony trial opened new avenues for trial consultants to help lawyers craft their tactics, and experts say those techniques will find their way to other, less publicized court battles. Lawyers for [...]

Seven simple steps for picking better juries in short order

By Dolan Media Newswires
Published: July 12, 2011
Tags: Practice Tips

In 1936, Clarence Darrow wrote an article for Esquire entitled “How to Pick a Jury.” In the article, he said, “Choosing jurors is always a delicate task. The more a lawyer knows of life, human nature, psychology and the reactions of the human emotions, the better he is equipped for the subtle selection of his [...]

How to get hired: Tips for the first client meeting

By Correy E. Stephenson
Published: June 24, 2011
Tags: Practice Tips

The first meeting with a client can be a make-it or break-it scenario for attorneys. “The foundation for the entire attorney/client relationship comes from that meeting,” said Allison Shields, president of Legal Ease Consulting in Port Jefferson, N.Y., who coaches lawyers on practice management and marketing. Although lawyers may be eager to showcase what they [...]