Understanding the facts of your case, learning how they fit together, and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your narrative are crucial steps when preparing for trial, notes Benjamin Lawson in his August Illinois Bar Journal article, “Trial Lessons From Comedians.” But the more trials Lawson has participated in, the more he finds that the process feels incomplete. Just because a particular narrative best explains the facts doesn’t mean it will resonate well with the jury.

In Lawson’s experience, it takes more than a pithy line to connect with an audience. Thankfully, that’s where attorneys can begin drawing lessons from other forms of rhetoric and information presentation, chief among them, standup comedians. 

Read the August IBJ article, "Trial Lessons From Comedians."