The Million Dollar Question: How Much Should I Ask For?
There is no set rule. I would recommend that you play it by ear. If you have a case that is clearly worth a good deal of money, give the jury guidance as to how you calculated damages by breaking down each separate category covered in the jury instruction on damages and assigning a number to it. When doing so, you may want to suggest ranges and provide the jury with a summary chart breaking down the value of each element of damages. I know of one occasion in a case against a national department store where an attorney drew a blank line followed by six zeros ($___,000,000) on the chalk board and pointed to the blank line told the jury this is the only number you need to worry about. His client received a million dollar verdict for a false arrest. Buddy Yosha is slightly less direct and will say in a matter-of-fact tone this is a seven figure case. All of these methods have been known to work.
What ever number or argument you present, you need to do so honestly and sincerely. Also, keep in mind your audience that makes up the jury. Watch them as you argue and you should know what you are comfortable arguing.
Posted on June 30, 2015, in closing arguments, mock trial, Trial Advocacy and tagged Adversarial system, advocacy, Closing argument. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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