The code of silence
Question. Pause. Answer. Stop. That’s the unnatural rhythm of the witness environment. And there are rules for witnesses during the first three steps.
Making an impact on a witness
In past columns, I’ve talked about the “10 Rules” for witnesses as a way to help bridge the wide gap between normal conversation and communicating in a witness environment. The first is easy and natural; the second is difficult and unnatural — and treacherous. The language, rhythm and goals of each are very different.
Tell witnesses to be themselves on the stand
Tell your witness: Get off your stage and talk with people, as a real person. It can be hard to do, but it is necessary.
There’s no guessing as a witness
One of the most obvious rules for witnesses is also one of the most difficult for people in everyday life: If you don’t remember, say so.
The witness’ four magic words
Witnesses have both a right and a responsibility to insist on clear and fair questions.
7 deadly sins of witness preparation
Law schools may do a good job of teaching legal principles and theory, but they often ignore the true focus of real world legal practice: the client.
What it means to prepare a witness
Too many lawyers — including some very good ones — don’t prepare witnesses adequately because they fail to understand that being a witness is dramatically different than anything else the client has experienced.
An unprepared witness is a lost witness
When someone is called as a witness in any kind of legal matter, it’s usually a new and disturbing experience.
NJ Supreme Court ruling could affect eyewitness IDs across the country
A recent decision from the New Jersey Supreme Court that found existing state procedures for eyewitness identification invalid could have a major impact in other jurisdictions.
Legal News
- Wisconsin lawyers file University of Wisconsin public records request seeking answers to protests
- Wisconsin Supreme Court issues orders amending Supreme Court rules and Wis. Stats.
- EXCLUSIVE: Former Milwaukee ‘big law’ partner attacks news media for bias against Trump
- Former Milwaukee election official fined for obtaining fake absentee ballots
- Contract dispute prevents airing of 15 regional sports networks, impacts Brewers
- Wis. middle school focuses on recovery as authorities investigate shooting
- Gov. Evers seeks applicants for Sheboygan and Green County Sheriffs
- North Carolina man who harbored Nazi memorabilia and attacked Black and Latino men sentenced to 41 months
- Nation grieves with families of officers killed in NC
- Amended complaint filed in federal court against State Bar of Wisconsin seeks punitive damages
- United Healthcare suit against cancer drug distributor time-barred
- Trump’s Wisconsin visit warns of jail time if he violates a trial gag order
WLJ People
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Russell Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Benjamin Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dustin T. Woehl
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Katherine Metzger
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Joseph Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – James M. Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dana Wachs
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Mark L. Thomsen
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Matthew Lein
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Jeffrey A. Pitman
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – William Pemberton
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Howard S. Sicula