Why Preparation Matters
In my experience, the opposite is true. The strength of a case is often determined long before anyone steps into a courtroom. Every decision—from preserving evidence and taking depositions to working with experts and developing a persuasive case theory—affects the outcome.
Preparation is not simply what happens before trial.
Preparation is the strategy that guides the entire case.
Every Decision Shapes the Case
I.
A well-prepared case does not always go to trial. In fact, many do not.
But careful preparation creates options. It strengthens negotiations, allows clients to make informed decisions about settlement, and ensures the case is ready if trial becomes necessary.
Whether a case settles or proceeds to verdict, preparation creates leverage.
II.
For more than fifteen years, I have taught trial advocacy while maintaining an active litigation practice. Today, I serve as the Director of Persuasion and Advocacy and Director of Mock Trial Teams at Seton Hall Law School. I previously served as Director of Trial Advocacy at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and teach practicing attorneys through the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).
Teaching advocacy has reinforced what years of trying cases have taught me: successful trial lawyers don't simply react to the facts. They organize them, challenge their own assumptions, and develop a theory that explains not only what happened, but why it matters.
Those same principles guide every case I handle.
III.
Trials are not won by the lawyer who talks the longest. They are won by the lawyer who helps a jury understand the evidence.
My responsibility is to identify the facts that matter, present them honestly, and build a clear, persuasive case supported by credible evidence.
IV.
Behind every lawsuit is someone whose life has been changed by a serious injury.
Preparation means understanding not only the evidence, but also the person behind the case. It means listening carefully, communicating honestly, and helping clients navigate a process that is often unfamiliar and overwhelming.
My Commitment
What I can promise is thoughtful preparation, honest advice, and personal attention.
No lawyer can promise a particular outcome. Every case I accept will receive the preparation and attention necessary to present it effectively, whether it resolves through negotiation or proceeds to trial.
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