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Being an Effective Advocate for Your Clients - Part III

By M. James Jenkins, Esq.

What can do to more effectively assist our clients in navigating the treacherous waters of the justice system and all of the personality types of the people within it? In my experience, generally I have found it extremely beneficial not to engage opposing counsel in their bad behavior whether it is over the phone, at deposition or in trial. For me, in representing people (and in life in general) it is better to not react ?in kind? to bad or disrespectful behavior from opposing counsel. By engaging them I lose my effectiveness and give away my personal ?power? to my opponent. Some lawyers won?t agree with me. Some of us believe ?fire should be fought with fire.? Everyone has to find the right way to deal with anger. In trial, I believe if a lawyer gets so angry in front of a jury, at opposing counsel, at the judge or with a witness during a cross exam, the jury begins to think that the lawyer believes the case is more about him and less about what the facts of the case actually are...continue to full post

Full post as published by Florida Criminal Law Blog on March 22, 2009 (boomark / email).