Congratulations, you have just been given your first courtroom assignment. It is finally time to pull your head from your research assignments, get unlocked from the chain attached to your desk and venture out into an actual courtroom. You might find that your excitement is quickly tempered, however, by two words that make your pulse race: Now what? This article will provide some helpful tips on preparation and advocacy skills, directed to the younger lawyer but useful to lawyers of all ages, that can help you look and feel like an experienced litigator. Many of the skills discussed will be useful for handling your first deposition or oral argument as well, but trial skills will be the focus.
There are many books dedicated to building trial advocacy skills and everything cannot be addressed here. I will attempt to provide practical advice about some of the added hurdles that young lawyers must clear during a jury trial. Simply put, be prepared, be a passionate and zealous advocate without appearing to be too excited, and never be afraid to ask for advice and guidance from your more experienced (read: older) colleagues.
