Michael P. Maslanka
It’s not what we don’t know that hurts us but rather what we think is so that isn’t. Here are seven litigation myths that too often hold us hostage because they sound so reasonable, so intuitive and, well, so safe.
Myth No. 1: ‘But the Judge will get mad!’
In class I draw a square, write inside it a fictional caption and case number, and sketch a seal. I ask: What is this? The answer: The Record the Alpha and the Omega of a trial lawyer. It must be protected. Yes, a Judge might get irritated if we request a ruling or seek mandamus. But a Judge out of sorts because we are honoring our oath is a judge predisposed to be upset over anything. Soldier on!
