The Barrister’s Toolbox

A Resource for Trial Advocacy

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  • Mastering the Rules of Evidence: Is it really important?

    Early in my career, the “rules” of evidence were derived by reading case-law and the handful of statutes that addressed privilege and competence. If you wanted to know the “rules”, you had to research and read case-law. The only ready compendium were books like Graham’s Handbook on Federal Evidence. Today, litigators in every state and…

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  • The Trial Notebook: Being Prepared for “Unexpected” Legal Issues During Trial

    During the course of a trial have you ever had an ” unexpected” legal issues arise and say, I know there is a case or rule out there on point, but I just cannot remember it? The best way to prepare for such issues is to keep a trial notebook. What is a trial notebook…

  • How to Stay Organized During Trial

    Need a system to keep all your witnesses and exhibits organized? Well sometimes the best system is the simplest one. I use a separate folder for each witness and each exhibit. I make sure all the folder tabs line up in a single row for the witnesses and label each witness folder with their last…

  • What Makes a Trial Attorney Effective?

    How does one become an effective trial attorney? It boils down to being an effective communicator. Everything an attorney does sends a message to the jury and judge. This involves your personal appearance, how you speak, your posture, eye contact and how you put together your message. It’s important to watch other people try cases…

  • Greetings Trial Lawyers – Need Help? – Give Me a Call.

    This site is for those who practice in our nation’s courtrooms and make our adversarial system an engine for justice. All are welcome to share their knowledge and experience about what works in communicating with judges and juries.  Have a question that requires in-depth consultation for a case you are handling?  Please feel free to contact me.  I can …