Judd Robbins

Anticipating the Different Styles of Opposing attorneys during Expert Testimony - Part 3/3



Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010

by Judd Robbins
Presentation Dynamics

Many of the best showmen' become litigators and have the forum of the trial in which to demonstrate their acting experience. You may be impressed at the flair with which a showman-attorney addresses the jury, the gallery, the judge, and you.

Staying calm and measured in your responses is one reasonable approach to take. However, if you are up to it, more animation in your voice and body language tends to counteract the effect the showman obtains through his mannerisms and movements around the courtroom. Don't go overboard, but don't appear wooden. Bring the juror's attention to you by smiling at them while you answer the questions. Politely and professionally look at the attorney when he asks you each question.

Don't be distracted or dismayed by the showman's antics. That is his job. Your job is to capture the juror's attention when you do respond, and to be convincing with both what you say and how you say it.

Finally, opposing trickster' attorneys sometimes keep their toughest questions until close to the end of the deposition day. If you are paying attention to every question and concentrating greatly on your responses, you will be more tired in the afternoon then you were in the morning. If the lawyer is not worn out by the end stages of his own questioning, he may now hit you with his hardest questions. They may be questions that are more complex, or contain known difficulties for you, based on the facts in the case.

As discussed earlier a lawyer might restate one of your earlier answers, and ask a follow-up question. If you are tired, you might not recognize the subtle differences between your original answer and the lawyer's restatement. Stay alert to any question that includes an obvious restatement of an earlier answer.

Do not accept any attorney's restatement of an earlier answer of yours at face value.
Judd Robbins has been an internationally recognized expert witness since 1986 in the US and in the UK. He has testified in State and Federal courts and has been featured as a testifying computer forensics expert on MSNBC, Court TV, and Tech TV. His cases range widely from intellectual property infringement to murder. He has been a best-selling author of more than 30 training and computer books and has created more than 25 training DVDs and videos. In 2010, his book "Expert Witness Training" was published by Presentation Dynamics. Robbins has advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and the University of Michigan, has been an Information Systems manager and an Education Systems manager, and consults in both computer and legal issues. Learn more about Mr. Robbins and his Expert Witness Training materials at www.juddrobbins.com

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