Learn From Everyone

The Courtroom Deputies placed their bets.

And they got it right.

I found out after a recent trial that the Courtroom Deputies accurately predicted the verdict.

Impressive, but not surprising.

The Deputies are in court every day. They watch case after case, lawyer after lawyer, and they know what the Judge will do better than anyone else.

I have learned over the last nine years as a trial lawyer that the longer I do it, the more I realize how much I do not know and the more I realize how important it is to consider others’ point of views (which is why focus groups are essential).

Trial lawyers have egos. (You can’t do this job well without one). It takes a confident person to turn down an offer and try the case.

But, if unchecked, the ego can prevent you from considering other point of views. And that is dangerous for you and your client.

The people who decide our cases are normally not lawyers. They are good, regular people (just like the Courtroom Deputies).

And their opinions matter.

Learn from everyone, regardless of whether they have “esquire” behind their name.