What I Learned From Teaching Trial Advocacy

 Building on Aristotle’s teachings concerning logos, pathos, and ethos, retired judge Gino L. DiVito continues his five-part series on trial advocacy in November’s Illinois Bar Journal. In Part Two, “The Essential Elements of Persuasion: What To Do and How and Why To Do It,” Judge DiVito reframes Aristotle’s principles as the three Cs—character, competency, and conviction.

“When you possess those qualities and your opponent lacks one or more, success may overcome your opponent’s otherwise weightier evidence,” Judge DiVito writes. “It’s common knowledge that some persons who lack ethos, logos, and pathos are nonetheless able to fake those qualities. All types of charlatans thrive on such fakery. And, sadly, so do some lawyers.”

 Read the November IBJ article, "What I Learned From Teaching Trial Advocacy."