Learn How to Lawyer

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Congratulations! You’ve graduated law school. You’ve passed the bar. Now it’s time to really learn what lawyering is about.

Law School teaches the law. Sophisticated Lawyer teaches lawyering.

If you haven’t already, join your relevant local bar associations (even if you are still in law school). If you don’t have a mentor, get one. Want to be a trial lawyer, go see other trial lawyers in action. Courtrooms are open to the public. Attend continuing legal educations. Make checklists. Read. Keep reading.

Here is a list of some must-read books for any attorney new or old.

1. McElhaney’s Trial Notebook

A clear, practicable and knowledgeable book for litigators in all legal arenas. Written by Jim McElhaney, a professor at Southern Methodist University, what began as a small journal column discussing trial techniques evolved into this best-selling legal book. Having read many procedure and evidence books, few explain it as well.

2. Sun Tzu’s, Art of War

An ancient Chines military general, strategist and tactician, Sun Tzu’s theories and strategies are put to print in this text that has been applied by business men and women, politicians, lawyers and beyond. In fact, you won’t be long on the job before you hear a lawyer quote this book.

3. Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover

Renowned voice on money and business, Dave Ramsey brings his proven and trusted money management plan to print, providing a step-by-step playbook on ensuring your money has a purpose.

4. Ric Edelman, The Truth About Money

Similar to Dave Ramsey, Ric Edelman is a leading voice in the financial world and gives us this popular book explaining everything from personal finance to investments to life insurance. This book and Dave Ramsey’s above will give you the tools to ensure your worries are focused on clients, not bills.

5. McCarthy’s Cross-Examination

A must have for any lawyer serious about litigating, specifically cross examination.

Being Nice Doesn’t Cost A Thing

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A young man, who had just been named the new head coach of a major division 1 football program was on the road in the middle of nowhere America looking for a prospect who was supposed to be a pretty good player.

Getting hungry and looking for a bite, he spotted an old cinderblock building standing alone with a small sign out front that simply said “Restaurant.” The young ball coach pulled up, parked and went in. As he opened the door, every head in the place turned. The young, white, ball coach was the only white person in the restaurant.

The coach grabs a seat at the bar and is approached by a big fella in a tee shirt and cap who says, “What do you need?”

The ball coach replies, “I’m looking for some food, what is good?”

The big fella replies, “You probably won’t like it here. Today we’re having chitlins, collard greens, and black eyed peas with cornbread. I’ll bet you don’t even know what chitlins are?”

The new head coach looked the man dead in his eyes and said “I’m from the south and have probably eaten a miles worth of chitlins. Sounds like I’m in the right place.”

The man replies, “You may be from the South, but you aren’t from around here are you?”

The coach explains he is on the road recruiting and is looking for a school so he can check out a player. The man gives him directions and after he is done eating, asks him if he has a photo to hang up in the restaurant. The coach, so green on the job, didn’t, but takes a napkin and asks the man for his name and address and tells him he’ll send him a photo. Sure enough, as soon as the coach got back on campus later that evening, he grabbed a photo and wrote, “Thanks for the best lunch I’ve ever had.”

Fast forward, years later and the ball coach has built a very strong football program and is back down in the same area he ate at so many years ago recruiting an elite offensive lineman. A player the coach desperately wanted and the team desperately needed. Problem was, word on the recruiting trail had the kid going to a rival school. In fact the kid told the head coach this.

Disappointed, back in his office a couple days later, the coach’s phone rings. On the other end, it’s the kid, the top recruit, he says, “Coach, you still want me?”

The Coach says, “You bet I do.” He asks, “What changed your mind?”

The kid replies, “When my grandpa found out that I had the chance to play for you and said no, he pitched a fit and told me I wasn’t going to play for anyone else. He said he thinks a whole lot of you and has ever since ya’ll met.”

The coach was floored, but confused, “Who is your grandaddy?”

The kid says, “You probably don’t remember him, but you ate at his restaurant your first year at Alabama and you sent him a picture that he’s had hung in his place ever since. That picture is his pride and joy and he still tells everybody about the day that Bear Bryant came in and had chitlins with him.” #bekind #lawyerkind

Voir Dire: Show Them Yours

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In order to connect with a jury, in order for them to trust you, you have to humanize yourself. The best way to do so, is to “show them yours”. The young comedian below does a great job of this while providing a little humor along the way.

Art of Storytelling

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Law school gives you the license to lawyer, but knowing how to tell a story separates lawyers with licenses.

Stories light our brains up. People learn, remember, identify and attach to stories. The science says so; our experiences remind us so.  Tell a good story and the listener is more likely to not only remember what you said, but do what you ask.  For lawyers, stories are the vehicle toward a favorable verdict. 

Look no further than The Karate Kid, a 1984 classic about an underdog Daniel who has just moved to Southern California with his mother, and quickly finds himself the target of a group of bullies who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate and preparing him to compete and ultimately defeat the brutal Cobra Kai.

But was Daniel Larusso bullied or the bully? I

This video above was created by J. Matthew Turner and is being used for educational purposes. His youtube channel can be found here.