http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/ Published by Paul Mark Sandler en-us 2008-10-28T13:42:01-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/10/the_anatomy_of_a_trial_1.html November 10 marks the launch of my newest book, Anatomy of a Trial. Here is a sample from the introduction, which describes why I wrote the book and why it may be of interest. ….. In 2004, a University of... Professional Growth Paul Mark Sandler 2008-10-28T13:42:01-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/10/the_ted_stevens_trial_and_the.html There is something to be said about focusing a witness examination around one indelible image. For the prosecution in the trial of Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens, the image of choice was a $2,695 vibrating Shiatsu massage lounger from Brookstone. Reporter... Paul Mark Sandler 2008-10-21T15:30:40-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/10/the_art_of_evading_questions.html The Washington Post had an interesting piece yesterday on the art of evading questions. The story contrasts Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s blunt refusal to answer questions during the VP debate last week with Obama, Biden and McCain’s more subtle techniques... Persuasion Paul Mark Sandler 2008-10-07T09:16:45-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/09/mandatory_continuing_legal_edu.html My colleague, Paul Bekman, and I have sent this letter to Judge Wilner, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Rules of Practice & Procedure, and I thought I would share it with my readers... We, members in good standing of the Maryland... Professional Growth Paul Mark Sandler 2008-09-30T15:23:36-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/09/fallacious_arguments_1.html For those who plan to tune in to the presidential debate this Friday, here is a cheat sheet on some common logical fallacies. One can only hope these two fine candidates will steer clear of such foibles, but I, for... Persuasion Paul Mark Sandler 2008-09-23T13:55:33-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/09/regional_juries_proposed.html Those who cherish the jury system do so with the full recognition that juries composed of mere mortals are not perfect. We take the good with the bad, always trying to improve. For example in civil cases we now have... Jury Paul Mark Sandler 2008-09-08T18:07:41-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/08/the_compromised_expert.html The last post addressed a New York Times piece that aired longstanding criticisms of the U.S. legal system’s use of expert witnesses at trial. The article included a quote I found intriguing from one expert witness: “‘After you come out... Expert Witness Paul Mark Sandler 2008-08-27T08:43:24-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/08/hot_tubbing_1.html Picture you and your opponent’s expert witnesses hashing out the merits of your respective cases in a hot tub. That, one supposes, is the vision implied by the phrase “hot tubbing,” an intriguing practice mentioned in this excellent New York... Paul Mark Sandler 2008-08-21T17:45:57-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/08/new_york_times_reports_on_journal_of_empirical_legal_studies_article.html The September issue of The Journal of Empirical Legal Studies will include a report on the risk/reward calculus of going to trial versus settling, and last week’s New York Times story on the subject has predictably excited fans of the... Risk/Reward Paul Mark Sandler 2008-08-11T15:54:28-05:00 http://www.attorneyadvocacy.com/2008/08/litigation_institute_for_trial_training_2008.html I recently returned from the Litigation Institute for Trial Training, or LITT, as it is affectionately known. Outside of trying cases, I cannot imagine a better way to hone your litigation skills in such a short period of time. LITT... Professional Growth Paul Mark Sandler 2008-08-01T13:20:15-05:00