“Michael made us better trial lawyers by making us powerful storytellers.”
- Steven L. Harmon, Public Defender, Riverside County, CA
The Power of Story in Trial
A four hour course covering the usage of storytelling techniques to prepare and conduct a trial.
CLE credits TBD
CLE credits TBD
Using Storytelling in Damages Narratives
A two hour course instructing on how to use storytelling to conduct client interviews and create compelling story-based damages narratives.
CLE Credits TBD
CLE Credits TBD
Creating Compelling Divorce Declarations with Storytelling
A one hour course instructing how to use storytelling in divorce declarations
CLE Credits TBD
CLE Credits TBD
Using PowerPoint Easily and Effectively
A two hour course on a simple and effective way to use PowerPoint to tell the story of your case, keeping focus on you as the storyteller.
CLE Credits TBD
CLE Credits TBD
Lesson series
Using Storytelling to Create Empathy and Action
Humans use stories to make choices and justify actions. This is especially true in a trial, where jurors will undoubtedly rely on stereotypes and unconscious bias as they hear arguments and testimony, and review evidence. These powerful story dynamics impact the outcome of the trial.
• How is a trial like a story?
• How is a trial like a story?
• How can you structure your case like a story?
• What is the “epiphany" in trials, and why is it so powerful?
• What kinds of bias do jurors tend to have?
• How can you use storytelling techniques in your opening and closing?
This course will answer these and other questions, covering practical storytelling techniques that you can use to create empathy and compel the jury to act on your client's behalf.
Audience
• Criminal justice workers representing clients from marginalized populations.
• Attorneys needing to argue a case before a jury or in mediation.
• Social workers advocating for a client’s sentencing or creating mitigation memos.
Course Values
• Empathy creates action.
• Stories and storytelling are integral to our lives.
• The justice system’s inherent biases can be corrected via storytelling.
Course Learning Objectives
• Understand how story creates juror bias in trials
• Learn the basic mechanism of storytelling used successfully at jury trials
• Explore how to apply storytelling technique to your case
• Use storytelling techniques to create empathy and action.
Attorney Endorsements