Getting direction on one of the most important testimonies in a person’s life goes beyond traditional legal representation and advice. Skills needed advising on range from engaging the court and opposing counsel to also the emotional side of litigation.
Being mentally prepared and able to anticipate the opposing side’s arguments is an important issue to address when it comes to how the potential attack on a person’s character and conduct may be directed during a trial. Prepping your client begins simply with advising on the basics of how a trial proceeds and how interactions occur.
Lengthy depositions often can lead to mental exhaustion. The mental focus needed during a deposition is vital as is the need for occasional breaks, even if the witness disagrees. Also important to note is the slow progress of a case that occurs during not only discovery, but also the pre-trial phase. Knowing that a trial can sometimes take two years or longer, clients must be informed that mental preparation and pacing is part of the process.
Last, but not least is the forewarning of the roller-coaster ride of emotions that goes hand in hand with trials as each side presents their case. Plaintiffs will need to know that a defendant will have his chance to put forth their best evidence after the plaintiff rests, and such it is that for defendants that there is the potential for their case to appear worse until the plaintiff rests, and the chance is then given to them to present.
