Young Lawyers, Cross Examination, Opening Statements

Episode 28: Opening Statements: Some Common Challenges

Holland & Knight LLP on 3/19/2024

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the complexities attorneys face in crafting an effective opening statement during a trial. He tackles common challenges...more

Perfect Your Public Speaking: Six Ways to Reduce Your “Crutch Sounds”

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message on 1/19/2021

We have all used them. It might be a repeated word or phrase like, “I would say,” “it seems to me that,” or “like.” It might be a repeated sound like “uh,” “um,” “ah,” or “er.” Not all of the speech is content; some of it is...more

Don’t Hedge

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message on 1/9/2020

The habit of sort of just filling in your speech with expressions of uncertainty, when you’re not really that uncertain, is probably a bad habit. I mean, I am fairly sure that these hedges cut down on your perceived...more

Think About Your Juror’s Epistemology

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message on 1/22/2019

“Epistimology,” or the question of how we know what we know, seems like an abstract rather than a practical idea. But when it comes to the practical task of assessing and persuading jurors, the epistemological habits of those...more

Think About Transitions

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message on 9/18/2018

It is one of the basics emphasized in your first public speaking class: Have a clear transition between your main points. But it is also a rule that many experienced communicators set aside or start taking for granted. As you...more

Rebuttal: End With Your “Untouchables”

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message on 8/23/2018

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but “rebuttal” doesn’t mean the same thing as “refutation.” The latter amounts to an attack on the arguments of the other side, and the former means rebuilding your own arguments...more