District Attorney of Manhattan Cyrus Vance Jr. views every case through the lens of two basic principles; does it make us safer and is it fair? We’d like to share Simon Law Firm attorney Amy Gunn’s conversation with DA Vance about integrity, leadership, and the importance of doing what’s right in every aspect of public service. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that includes insights into some of the office’s highest-profile cases including Harvey Weinstein and Malcolm X conviction integrity trial.

You win some, you lose some. But if you lose an important motion, how can you convince the judge to reconsider without risking her wrath? And when should you just let it go? Part Two of our discussion on motions also includes suggestions on preparing a short written synopsis of key points in your case for judge and opposing counsel plus tips on typography and persuasive writing. 

Filing dozens of pretrial motions shows the judge you are well-versed in the law and is sure to impress the court, right? Wrong. You earn credibility with the judge by carefully choosing your most important issues, crafting well-written briefs with citations, and reading the room. We’ve got some great courtroom experiences to share that will help solidify your case and your credibility before trial even begins.

What price should we put on a life lost? Whether it’s a father, mother, or child, jurors need guidance, context, and motivation when deciding damages. John Simon and Tim Cronin offer several examples of powerful ways to present damages in wrongful death cases and share Tim Cronin’s moving closing argument in a recent case regarding the tragic death of a five-year-old girl.

Significant physical injuries may be visible to the jury, but emotional harms are not. Are you doing everything you can to help the jury understand and compensate your client’s emotional damages? This episode addresses ways to communicate emotional harm and strategies to diffuse defense challenges to your claims in closing.

When you ask for damages, you expect jurors to put a tangible number on an intangible loss. How can you help them decide upon a full and fair amount? In our continuing series on closing arguments, we offer a framework for presenting damages that provides a compelling rational basis for damages, shows what the law requires, and puts the client’s losses in perspective the jury can understand.

Part Two of John Simon and Tim Cronin’s 49 Tips for Closing Arguments examines a range of issues including whether your close should suggest a range for damages vs asking for a specific number, strategies to make the jury’s job easier, and case framing that helps jurors feel better about taking money from the defendant if they are having a hard time giving it to the plaintiff. Take a tip from the pros and help the jury rule in your favor with a more persuasive closing argument.

The Simon Law Firm has earned over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements since the firm’s founding in 2000, so these attorneys obviously know how to close. John Simon and Tim Cronin offer 49 tried and true tips for strengthening your closing argument, such as how to handle life care plans and ways to make your issues more personal for jurors. Part One covers the first 25 tips which will help young lawyers and seasoned pros craft more effective closing arguments.

Are you using your close to restate the obvious or educate on the unknown? Jurors may already know how they are going to rule in your case, but they probably don’t know how to apply the law, assign damages, or wade through 40 pages of instructions. You can help. Today’s episode discusses three keys to a winning close: arm the jurors to argue on your behalf, explain the law, and engage their interest. Tune in and turn your next close into a persuasive legal education that helps jurors better understand their role when deciding your case.

Are you creating self-defeating typography by using underlines, caps, and fonts that make your argument less inviting to your reader? Author and attorney Matthew Butterick shares key points from his book Typography for Lawyers on how to make your next brief or email easier to read, which helps your reader stay focused longer and reduces annoyance. Matthew believes that small positive mental shift could sway a decision in your favor. Once you recognize that you are a legal publisher, you’ll see why font matters.