Customer Reviews

Goldberg's the First Trial (Where Do I Sit? What Do I Say?) in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) (In a Nutshell (West Publishing))

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The diagrams are unclear, the advice is irrelevant, and the information is sometimes inaccurate. Specifically, to answer the question: 'where do I sit,' Goldberg tells the reader that the first person into the courtroom picks whichever counsel table he or she wants. This is, in my jurisdiction, just flat wrong (civil = D sits closest to jury box, criminal = prosecutor does). The first time advocate who follows this advice could embarrass herself and start trial no. 1 off on the wrong foot. Goldberg answers the second question: 'what do I say' with a couple of hundred pages of vague bromides like 'the trial lawyer is an actor' 'the courtroom is a theater' and 'the trial is a movie.' I don't find these particularly useful. For those with more questions, the authors suggests that the lawyer 'check with the court for how things are done locally.' Thanks for that, but I want my $25.00 back.

I owned and read this Nutshell when I first started out at the DA's Office. It was a great training manual. Many of my colleagues read my copy as well.

I purchased this copy for a young friend, who is just starting at the DA's Office.

The First Trial is a very good book. The only fault is it does not belong in the Nut Shell Series. There are no case examples. It makes you think of how it would be if you didn't think of that before trial and is full of merit towards thinking outside the lawyer. You just never know if it works or not. It's self centered on the first trial of the lay person, Where Do I Sit? It would make a better audio book/ non-fiction, not a Law ref.

Goldberg's nutshell is good, but Keith Evans' book, Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers, is for the law student and new attorney who wants to learn how to be an excellent advocate.

Keith Evans practiced as a trial lawyer in California and as a barrister in England. In addition to law school teaching, Mr. Evans also made numerous presentations to different American Inns of Court.

Evans book is now published by TheCapitol.Net, and more information about this classic of trial advocacy can be found on their web site: thecapitol.net

If you want to be an excellent advocate, your best bet is to buy Goldberg's nutshell and also the Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers by Keith Evans.