Answer:
During my time as a federal trial court judge, I have
identified—and this Article will discuss—eight traits of highly
effective trial lawyers: (1) unsurpassed storytelling skills, (2) gritty
determination to become a great trial lawyer, (3) virtuoso cross-examination skills, (4) slavish preparation, (5) unfailing courtesy,
(6) refined listening skills, (7) unsurpassed judgment, and (8)
reasonableness. By mastering these, one can become a feared and
admired trial lawyer.9 Of course, readers will not become great trial lawyers by reading and memorizing these eight traits. This Article is not a trial
lawyer’s “magic bullet” that can be obtained from an infomercial by
trial is as office Clarence Darrow's. They file motions as if they are
preparing to go to trial and bill endless hours for developing untested and
unrealistic trial strategies—knowing they will never be used. ALs earn a
living by generating Everest-like mountains of paper. They are paper
tigers. They never work alone, always traveling in packs. As trial dates
approach, their relentless bravado evaporates into unlimited excuses to
settle. They will do virtually anything to avoid trial.
