Early in my career, I thought confidence in lawyering came from having the right answer—and having it quickly. I watched seasoned litigators rattle off key holdings from memory, negotiate effortlessly with opposing counsel, and speak with authority that seemed innate. I assumed confidence was something you either had or didn’t, and that my job as a young lawyer was to quietly absorb as much as possible until one day I magically crossed some invisible threshold.
Most lawyers want to use artificial intelligence more effectively, but many hold back. The concerns are familiar: malpractice exposure, hallucinations, confidentiality breaches and the fear of relying on a tool that does not feel fully trustworthy.
As prosecutors, we are trained to seek justice. While working for a district attorney, I specialized in sexual offenses and crimes against children. I understood why victims of sexual harm rely on the criminal legal system. But as a victim, I grappled with the contradiction of my professional life and what I wanted personally—an alternative.
We all know Old MacDonald had a farm. And we all know that on his farm, he had an assortment of animals, including chickens, horses and ducks. But little is known about his wife, Edna.
When rapper Cardi B released Am I the Drama? just weeks after winning a high-profile assault lawsuit, she turned legal adversity into cultural commentary. From narrative framing and courtroom conduct to trial publicity and client counseling, her experience offers practical lessons for lawyers and law students on managing reputation, evidence and ethics in the court of law and the court of public opinion.
“You must not abandon the ship in a storm because you cannot control the winds. ... What you cannot turn to good, you must at least make as little bad as you can.” —St. Thomas More
Across the country, criminal justice policy is undergoing yet another pendulum swing. After over a decade of reform efforts focused on decarceration and diversion, states are now reembracing the all-too-familiar tough-on-crime approaches.
Benjamin Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail." Sounds wise, but I doubt Benjamin Franklin carried on a busy litigation practice.
The ABA Journal wants to host and facilitate conversations among lawyers about their profession. We are now accepting thoughtful, non-promotional articles and commentary by unpaid contributors.
