Washington, D.C. partner George Hazel and Houston partner Gregg Costa draw on their experience as both trial lawyers and judges to share their perspectives on what can help to win — or lose — a case at trial.

In a lively exchange that includes substantial agreement as well as some notable differences of opinion, George and Gregg consider the relative importance of opening and closing arguments, expert testimony, jury selection, cross-examination, the presentation of a defense, the use of visuals, and — in what has become an increasingly rare event — the testimony of the defendant. Their discussion is interspersed with numerous examples from cases they tried or presided over.