Some of you may not be aware of a very, very valuable site that contains trial advocacy materials, to include books, compact discs, videos, and more.
The link to the site is: http://www.TrialGuides.com.
I would encourage you to visit the site, review the materials and see if there is anything of interest to you.
For example, I purchased several books over the years from them. One of the first and most useful books I purchased was based upon the recommendation of noted Kentucky Trial Lawyer, Gary Johnson, while attending a trial practice seminar soon after I quit doing insurance defense work and began representing those who had been injured through the fault and negligence of others.
The book was by Texas trial attorney, Jim Perdue, “Who will speak for the victim? A Practical Treatise on Plaintiff's Jury Argument"
I originally purchased this book through the Texas bar, and it is now available through Trial Guides.
I highly recommend it as an addition to the trial lawyer's library.
THE AUTHOR:
Jim Perdue is "Described as the "king" of Texas medical malpractice lawyers by Forbes magazine in 1989, Jim M. Perdue, Sr. has for the past forty years been a trail blazer in bringing new concepts to the art of jury persuasion. Forty years ago, he used an economist to calculate and project personal injury damages, and introduced the testimony at trial. Other landmark trial techniques have included the use of working models and multi-dimensional displays in medical malpractice and product liability cases, and the use of health care providers’ advertising literature as a basis for establishing vicarious liability."
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
"The subtitle of Who Will Speak for the Victim is A Practical Treatise on Plaintiff’s Jury Argument, and it is practical. Chapters address methods of arguing liability and damages in various types of personal injury cases, emphasizing the most effective approaches to relating the evidence and argument to the specific questions the jury must answer. If you primarily represent defendants, you will also find it helpful to review techniques the author describes to encourage large verdicts. But the extraordinary thing about this book is that all the practical tips, from basic forensic principles to how to help jurors develop a positive perception of your clients, couched in a cogent wit that is highly entertaining."
I recommend this book for new and seasoned advocates for the simple reason that Jim not only addresses the broad strokes on argument and persuasion, such as the principles, concepts, voice, strategies, etc. , but he provides you with concrete examples and specific arguments made on liability and on damages.
Although I believe every attorney must adopt their own style and substance suitable to who they are, I also believe that you need to see and know what the experienced advocates are doing and have done.
Since few of us can go and sit in the courtroom for a two-week trial to pick up a little on voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross-examination, and closing arguments, this book is an excellent reference tool on persuasion, statements and arguments.
Who will speak for the victim? Hopefully, all of us.
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