Opinion
Five Ways to Limit the Chance Your Legal Team Will Err in Court: Advice from a Lawyer
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The Internet, every newspaper and every media outlet is screaming and laughing about the big mix-up at the Oscars this year when “Moonlight” won best picture, not “La La Land.”
I thought “what a fantastic and truly embarrassing error on such an extraordinarily huge stage.” Then I began to wonder “How did this happen?” followed by “Thank God it’s only the Oscars.”
Mistakes happen. All the time. Here are five ways to limit the risk of mistakes when everything is at stake — in court:
#1) Make sure that your lawyer is authentically invested, personally and professionally, in your cause. If you’re only another case and just another fee to your lawyer, important things about you, your goals and the methods to attain those goals will definitely be overlooked. #2) Be clear about everyone’s role in your case. Understand what your role is and what you are expected to contribute to the building of your case. Understand what your law firm expects from you and understand what the roles may be of support personnel such as paralegals. #3) Map out a course for yourself with the assistance of your personally and professionally invested lawyer. Your lawyer should be able to explain procedures and the law as they apply to your case and the likely direction that you will have to travel in order to conclude your case in the best possible way. #4) Be prepared to change course. Things change in litigation; all the time. Your law firm needs to grasp this essential concept and be resilient enough to re-chart your direction at any time. Headlong commitment to a single strategy despite changing evidence or players is a recipe for disaster.
