Our blog has been thriving for nearly a decade, accumulating over a million visits during this remarkable period. As we approach the official 10-year blog anniversary next year, we also celebrate the impressive 28-year milestone of our entire company. To stay in tune with our readers' preferences, we meticulously monitor the traffic of each blog post, enabling us to identify the crème de la crème. Without further ado, here are the top 100 most engaging blog posts from the past ten extraordinary years. 5 Questions to Ask in Voir Dire The Top 14 Testimony Tips for Litigators and Expert Witnesses Ways to Identify the Jury Foreman: Insights on Leadership and Influence Lists of Analogies, Metaphors and Idioms for Lawyers 14 Tips for Delivering a Great Board Meeting Presentation 15 Tips for Great Customer Service from the Restaurant Industry
by Tony Klapper (former) Managing Director, Litigation Consulting A2L Consulting In our last post, we discussed why expert witnesses should rely on visual aids and litigation graphics in preparing their testimony. Another key point for expert witnesses is that no matter how well credentialed a witness is, if the jury thinks he is a jackass or if he acts in a way that is inconsistent with jurors’ perception of how an expert should act, his testimony will be useless. In every trial, the jury and the judge evaluate the credibility of every witness who testifies. If you have done something as a witness to lessen your credibility quotient, what you say will either be filtered through that lens or not even considered. For example, some experts make the mistake of engaging opposing counsel in a pitched battle during cross-examination. While a feisty expert who resists answering “yes” or “no” questions might be seen by her attorney as a hero, the jury more likely sees an expert who is being difficult -- particularly when the “yes” and “no” questions are intuitively answerable. Similarly, an expert who regularly resorts to “I don’t recall” and “I don’t know” responses to questions that objectively seem knowable and recallable also undercuts her credibility. The same is true of an expert who fights over the meaning of words that have common meanings, or starts asking questions of the questioner.
by Ken Lopez Founder/CEO A2L Consulting We at A2L are launching a new e-book this month. This time, we are publishing the book jointly with IMS ExpertServices, one of the nation’s premier providers of experts and consultants for top law firms and Fortune 500 corporations. The title of the new book is Expert Trial Testimony: Direct and Cross-Examination. The book answers every question you might have thought of in connection with expert testimony at trial in U.S. courts, and it does so in a clear, conversational manner. Plus, it’s a free download. As more and more money is at stake in civil trials, and as the subject matter grows more and more complex and difficult for many jurors to understand without assistance, the value and importance of expert witnesses has grown dramatically. The difference between an effective, well-prepared, convincing expert witness and one who does not come across well to a jury can often be the difference between winning and losing a trial where hundreds of millions, or billions, of dollars are at stake. The book is directed at experts themselves and gives dozens of do’s and don’ts that will make any expert’s testimony effective and convincing at a trial. It’s not only experts who will benefit from reading this book but also trial attorneys, trial technicians, in-house counsel, and anyone who wants to understand the best ways to put on expert testimony. The book addresses the typical expert witness as follows:
When it comes to being a successful trial lawyer, there are many tools at your disposal. However, one of the most powerful and often overlooked tools is silence. By using silence strategically during trial, voir dire, and depositions, you can gain an advantage over your opponent and create a more effective and persuasive argument. Silence During Trial During a trial, there are many opportunities to use silence to your advantage. For example, when a witness is being cross-examined, you can use silence to create a moment of tension. After the witness has finished answering a question, you can pause for a moment before asking your next question. This creates a moment of silence that can be very effective in highlighting the witness's discomfort or uncertainty. Silence can also be used to create a sense of drama in the courtroom. For example, if you're presenting a key piece of evidence, you can pause before revealing it. This builds anticipation and can make the evidence seem even more powerful. In addition, silence can be used to regain control of the courtroom. If the opposing counsel is being disruptive or argumentative, you can simply remain silent for a moment. This can be very effective in getting the judge's attention and getting the opposing counsel to back down. Silence During Voir Dire Voir dire is the process of selecting a jury, and it's an important part of any trial. During voir dire, you have the opportunity to question potential jurors to determine if they are biased or have any conflicts of interest. Silence can be used during voir dire to encourage potential jurors to speak more openly. For example, if a potential juror seems hesitant or unsure, you can simply remain silent. This can create a moment of silence that can encourage the potential juror to provide more information. Silence can also be used to create a sense of authority and control during voir dire. By remaining silent and allowing potential jurors to provide information, you can create a sense of authority and control that can be very effective in persuading potential jurors to see things from your perspective. Silence During Depositions During a deposition, you have the opportunity to question witnesses under oath. This can be a valuable opportunity to gather information and prepare for trial. However, witnesses may be evasive or uncooperative during depositions. In these situations, silence can be a powerful tool. If a witness is being unresponsive or evasive, you can simply remain silent. This creates a moment of tension that can make the witness uncomfortable and more likely to provide a straight answer. Silence can also be used to encourage a witness to provide more information. For example, if a witness is providing a vague or incomplete answer, you can remain silent for a moment. This can encourage the witness to provide more information in order to fill the silence. The Benefits of Using Silence Using silence strategically during trial, voir dire, and depositions can have many benefits. For example, it can: - Create tension and drama in the courtroom - Highlight the discomfort or uncertainty of witnesses - Regain control of the courtroom - Encourage potential jurors or witnesses to provide more information - Make the evidence seem more powerful - Create a sense of authority and control However, it's important to remember that silence should be used strategically and judiciously. Using silence too often or inappropriately can be counterproductive and make you appear weak or indecisive. Tips for Using Silence Effectively If you're interested in using silence strategically during trial, voir dire, and depositions, here are some tips to keep in mind: - Plan ahead: Before the trial, think about where you can strategically use silence to your advantage. - Practice: Practice using silence during your preparation for trial. This will help you feel more comfortable using it during the trial. - Be confident: Using silence effectively requires confidence. If you're nervous or unsure, it may not be as effective. - Use body language: Silence can be enhanced by using appropriate body language. For example, you can make eye contact with the judge or potential jurors during moments of silence. - Use silence sparingly: Silence should be used strategically and judiciously. Using it too often or inappropriately can be counterproductive. In Conclusion Silence can be a powerful tool during trial, voir dire, and depositions. By using silence strategically, you can gain an advantage over your opponent, create a more effective and persuasive argument, and regain control of the courtroom. However, it's important to use silence strategically and judiciously. With practice and experience, you can learn to use silence effectively and become a more effective litigator. Other articles related to best practices around voir dire, depositions and legal communications techniques from A2L include: Witness Preparation: The Most Important Part 6 Tips for Effectively Using Video Depositions at Trial 10 Signs the Pressure is Getting to You and What to Do About It Witness Preparation: Hit or Myth? 5 Signs of a Dysfunctional Trial Team (and What to Do About It) 7 Videos About Body Language Our Litigation Consultants Recommend Free Storytelling Webinar - Watch Now Free PowerPoint Litigation Graphics for the Courtroom Webinar - Watch Now
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