The Articulate Advocate: New Techniques of Persuasion for Trial Lawyers

by Marsha Hunter, Brian K. Johnson

This 1st edition is out of print. Please see our updated 2nd Edition:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Unlike other trial advocacy books that teach what to say and do in the courtroom, this reference teaches how to say and do it. Based on 25 years of experience from coaching practitioners, this handbook reveals techniques—incorporating cutting-edge discoveries in linguistics, neuroscience, and sports psychology—to help litigators look, sound, and feel natural and polished in the courtroom. Questions that lawyers face daily, such as What do I do with my hands? Aren’t gestures distracting? How do I remember everything? and I tend to talk so fast—how can I slow down? are among the questions addressed in this handbook.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Legal, Psychology, Communication, Self Help

236 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Legal communication coach Marsha Hunter teaches persuasion for trial lawyers and public speaking for corporate attorneys. She works exclusively with lawyers. Her specialty is human factors—the science of human performance in high-stakes environments. Hunter's expertise in cognition and communication focuses on how people think, speak, feel, and act in dynamic situations. Her teaching is both technical and practical, drawing on techniques from sports psychology, linguistics, and cognitive science.
Three times each year, Hunter is the program director for The Articulate Advocate: Becoming More Fluent on Your Feet, a two-day intensive courtroom communication skills program, at NITA's National Education Center in Boulder, Colorado. Ms. Hunter is the communication specialist for NITA's collaborative programs with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women, and teaches at three regional trial skills programs annually for NITA. She trains at the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. She has served on preparation teams for lawyers appearing in multiple cases before the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court, and taught advocacy programs for the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Law Society of Northern Ireland, and the Tasmanian Law Society. Her in-house clients include firms that occupy the top 10, 50, and 100 in annual lists, and half of the Wall Street Journal's "fearsome foursome" of litigation.
Hunter has published articles in many legal publications, including the American Bar Association Section of Litigation's The Woman Advocate and the Texas Bar Journal.
Johnson and Hunter are co-authors of The Articulate Advocate: New Techniques of Persuasion for Trial Lawyers (Crown King Books, 2009), a 2010 Silver Medal winner in the Benjamin Franklin Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association, and The Articulate Attorney: Public Speaking for Lawyers (Crown King Books, 2010, 2013), and The Articulate Witness: An Illustrated Guide to Testifying Confidently Under Oath.

Reviews

[Alan Dees · Rating 5 out of 5]

The information in this book is practical, realistic, and useful. It really recommends readers to be authentic and not try to be something they're not. Structured improvisation and the ability to adapt is encouraged all throughout out this book. I have improved my trial attorney and public speaking skills by implementing the tactics discussed in this book. This is my second read through since I wisely purchased the book and I plan on reading through it at least every year or two to reinforce some of these concepts in my professional capacity. I really like the quote from Shakespeare: "Let your own discretion be your tutor."

[Shira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book more helpful than the material assigned by my trial simulation professor. I listened to this book on Audible and it helped with the demonstration better than I would have read them. I recommend this book for law students. Other than trial skills, the breathing exercises have helped me tremendously in managing my stress.

[Zoe Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chat Onyx Storm came out weeks ago and the only book I’ve read this year is The Articulate Advocate. Someone tell me that law school is over soon I just want time for my silly little romantasy novels again. (This book was actually so insightful and made me mindful of my tendencies when advocating, I’m just sad that I lack time to read for fun).

[JSter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book full of tips on how to be a better public speaker and presenter in a courtroom. The authors further condense the material in the appendix for quick-reference and practice. Definitely one for the reference shelf.

[Justin T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing I’ve ever read on the subject of public speaking. The book is meant particularly for lawyers, but the advice is applicable to any sort of formal/professional public speaking. I’ve spent years trial-and-erroring my way to conclusions that this book just lays out for you.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very useful tips for improving oral advocacy.

[Shoshana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for lawyers and public speakers

[gomidget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice and practical exercises for applying it.

[Chip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tad dry but some good stuff in here.

[Robert Puzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book in law school, but never had a chance to finish it. Filled with some really great advice.

[Nando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview regarding the nuances of presenting a convincing argument. I believe the content in this book would serve just about anyone, not just those in the legal field.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written, articulated and illustrated book for anyone who wants to improve their public speaking techniques. I really enjoy it, and I'm not a lawyer. I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.