The Trial Practice Weblog


"Tips and techniques for trial lawyers, appearing for the plaintiff or defense."

Author: Evan Schaeffer is a plaintiffs attorney practicing consumer law and personal injury law with his wife and law partner, Andrea Lamere, in downstate Madison County, Ill. He is admitted to practice in both Illinois and Missouri. He also writes Beyond the Underground.

Blawg Related Categories: Law Firms • Law Practice Management • Legal Marketing & Consulting • Tort Law • States • Illinois • Solo / Small Firm

Recent Posts from The Trial Practice Weblog


  • Google at the Center of Dispute Between Two Wisconsin Firms

    At Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, Frank Pasternak writes about "an interesting lawsuit among Wisconsin personal injury attorneys"-- Habush, Habush & Rottier, an old-guard Wisconsin personal injury law firm, is suing Cannon & Dunphy, another…

  • Beginning the Trial: What to Wear, What to Say

    From Ron Miller at Maryland Injury Lawyer Blog, "Rolexes and Introductions"-- My style is conservative in that I wear “please don’t notice my clothes one way or the other” attire. I would feel uncomfortable with…

  • A Plethora of Legal Writing Tips

    Here are some tips you can find in the "legal writing" section of this weblog-- Stuck on the first draft? Try starting in the middle; Why your briefs are probably too long, and how to…

  • Book Recommendation: The View from the First Chair

    In his book "The View from the First Chair: What Every Trial Lawyer Really Needs to Know," Martin L. Grayson defines a trial as follows-- [N]othing less than a six-dimensional merry-go-round-jigsaw-puzzle-demolition-derby all playing out in…

  • Getting the Complete Story from Your Client

    Here's a tip from Ashley Lipson's Guerilla Discovery. To insure you're getting the full story from your client, try asking a question something like the following: I know that you've told me the truth and…

  • Another Trial Tips Weblog

    Some recent posts at TrialLawyerTips.com, which is primarily plaintiff-oriented: "Wrap Up Your Voir Dire With These Questions" "Blow Up and Use Your Verdict Form in Closing Argument" "During Closing Argument, Always Remind the Jury That…

  • Motion Practice: Quit When You're Ahead

    A good, and very true, reminder from Legal Blog Watch: "Rule 1: When the Judge Agrees With You, Stop Talking." Can you believe that some lawyers violate this rule? Most likely, they're not listening. See…

  • Improving Your Motions for Summary Judgment

    Here are some tips for defense lawyers on summary judgment from Michael Reitzell’s: "Focus on the Material Facts for a Successful Motion for Summary Judgment" (pdf). Link from the (new) legal writer. Related posts: 1.…

  • Jury Selection: a List of Rules

    At Mark Bennett's Defending People, you'll find "Simple Rules for Better Jury Selection." The post is self-explanatory. Add it to your list of jury-selection references.

  • Views on Trial from a Veteran Trial Lawyer

    On his weblog Plaintiff Trial Lawyer Tips, Paul Luvera has published a list of "personal views" about trials, titled "My General Views about Plaintiff Trial Work." Some of the questions that are answered in the…