By the way, as long as we're discussing strategy, a sincere apology may also help defang victims' overly aggressive lawyer, who may have righteously (or even not-so-righteously) ginned up the victims. Or, at least, it may lessen your client's perceived wrongdoing, which may have been oversold by your adversary to his clients.
Lawyers do indeed need to think strategically, even if "strategy" sometimes seems like a dirty word.
Joel Cohen practices white-collar criminal defense law in the New York office of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. He also teaches Professional Responsibility at Fordham Law School. The author is a regular columnist for Law.com. The views expressed are his personal opinions.
