September 19, 2018 04:51PM
Denzel goes to Hanks residence to prepare him for his testimony. Hanks insists on Denzel listen to an Italian opera with him. Denzel is frustrated because he needs to prepare his witness on the eve of the trial. Hanks begins to sway and dance to the allegro. It's a beautiful piece and goes on for a while. When its over Hanks says Ok now you can prepare me. Denzel looks at Hanks and slowly says "No you are ready"

It's always a lesson for me. The best witnesses are often those less prepared in the facts and law but are simply "themselves". It's the authenticity that counts and not the memorized responses. Gerry Spence the well known (since retired) lawyer from Jackson Hole, Wyoming holds seminars at his ranch for young attorneys. Not a work about the "law" is spoken during the entire week. Participants practice "not being a lawyer" and being just themselves. These attorneys will often go and live with a client so they can know what their clients experiences and troubles, etc. It's tough to do because as a lawyer your almost forced into having a large ego-that jurors can see through. The Spence seminar is all about not being afraid of your vulnerabilities and or of showing it. The entire process is of just being real-instead of some phony ass lawyer.

Spence tells a story about an enormous case he was about to try. After the jurors were seated the defense lawyers-a solid team of Harvard lawyers brought in boxes and boxes of documents. They were all dressed in expensive suits. Spence had nothing but his famous cowboy hat. He kept twirling it on the counsel table. The not too friendly judge kept admonishing him about the twirling of the hat-finally threatening to hold Spence in contempt. Spence then looked at the jury and smiled. He knew then he had won the case ! Just one example of "not being afraid to not be a lawyer".
SubjectAuthorViewsPosted

  Jury Duty... Prison....

JamesJM304September 18, 2018 06:23PM

  There's no place like home.

Atlantic Ram199September 18, 2018 06:37PM

  you can take the boy out of the country......

21Dog231September 18, 2018 09:14PM

  Was in Fresno yesterday-in an ER room critical care unit

waterfield199September 18, 2018 09:34PM

  My last jury duty..

sstrams187September 19, 2018 03:21AM

  Ever see 'It's A Wonderful Life'?

JamesJM192September 19, 2018 05:12AM

  Yeah, its funny..

sstrams180September 19, 2018 05:25AM

  Double-Murder Trial

MamaRAMa179September 19, 2018 10:20AM

  I pretty much know I won't get selected..

sstrams186September 19, 2018 11:08AM

  Yeah, this morning I considering...

JamesJM223September 19, 2018 11:12AM

  Re: I pretty much know I won't get selected..

RamsFootballFans.com205September 19, 2018 11:58AM

  That's my goal, '73..

sstrams210September 20, 2018 03:03AM

  "act like a buffoon"

RamsFootballFans.com170September 20, 2018 04:29AM

  Thanks man.. I'll aspire..

sstrams166September 20, 2018 04:33AM

  Re: Thanks man.. I'll aspire..

73Ram172September 20, 2018 04:51AM

  sst takes bow..

sstrams167September 20, 2018 05:08AM

  Speaking of buffons

waterfield191September 20, 2018 08:22AM

  Re: Speaking of buffons

73Ram169September 20, 2018 08:42AM

  Re: Speaking of buffons

Aries188September 20, 2018 11:19AM

  Come on you guys

waterfield167September 20, 2018 07:24AM

  Yeah, I get that..

sstrams171September 20, 2018 08:38AM

  Ya know...that's kind of brilliant...

JamesJM167September 20, 2018 09:10AM

  Re: Ya know...that's kind of brilliant...

waterfield272September 20, 2018 10:38AM

  It was in jest, Waterfield. (nm)

JamesJM160September 20, 2018 10:45AM

  I'm very sensitive to this subject-for obvious reasons

waterfield180September 20, 2018 11:22AM

  No worries... I get ya.

JamesJM163September 20, 2018 11:29AM

  Speaking of farmers

waterfield169September 20, 2018 02:58PM

  Like I would know?

JamesJM193September 20, 2018 03:07PM

  I know a guy who used it

21Dog172September 21, 2018 04:39AM

  That story....

JamesJM243September 21, 2018 09:53AM

  better question......

21Dog255September 21, 2018 04:39AM

  They tried it once

waterfield168September 21, 2018 07:24AM

  touche' nm

21Dog163September 21, 2018 09:00AM

  Re: No worries... I get ya.

Aries196September 22, 2018 03:10PM

  Re: Yeah, I get that..

waterfield172September 20, 2018 10:45AM

  Oooh, tricky move, Mama.. and a question for Lawyers...

JamesJM203September 19, 2018 11:10AM

  Re: Oooh, tricky move, Mama.. and a question for Lawyers...

waterfield312September 19, 2018 01:34PM

  Thanks, Waterfield....

JamesJM188September 19, 2018 02:03PM

  My favorite part of that movie

waterfield222September 19, 2018 04:51PM

  Gerry Spence is still with us?

JamesJM169September 19, 2018 05:40PM

  Re: Gerry Spence is still with us?

waterfield166September 19, 2018 06:05PM

  scary stuff

21Dog194September 19, 2018 07:34AM

  Re: Jury Duty... Prison....

Aries200September 19, 2018 06:45AM

  OMG! My head just literally exploded!

Atlantic Ram207September 19, 2018 08:18AM