Legally Speaking: 40 Powerful Presentation Principles Lawyers Need to Know [Hardcover]

David J. Dempsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2002

Legally Speaking arms attorneys with techniques that will improve any presentation--in the courtroom, the boardroom, or the convention hall.

Legally Speaking illustrates how to
--master stage fright
--analyze audience members and adapt a presentation to reach them
--write a powerful presentation
--utilize pauses, gestures, vocal power, and eye contact to maximize the impact of any message
--intensify the power of a presentation with effective visual aids
--capitalize on stories and quotations to make points memorable

A comprehensive guidebook, Legally Speaking provides an extensive bibliography of books, Web sites, and other sources of material essential to an effective presentation. All the critical steps to building and delivering a dynamic presentation are shared through Dempsey's personal anecdotes and engaging style.

Dempsey's straightforward blend of expert advice and real-world stories offers busy attorneys proven ways to increase their effectiveness in front of every audience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to improve their skills as a communicator, a leader, and a lawyer." -- Senator Bob Dole

"Legally Speaking is packed with important...principles and resources [that] should be used in all legal arenas." -- Governor Carl E. Sanders

"[Dempsey]has delivered his substantive message in a way that makes me eager to see the next page." -- Roger K. Quillen, Esq.

About the Author

David J. Dempsey is a practicing trial attorney with the Atlanta, Georgia, law firm of Coleman & Dempsey, LLP. In the last twenty-five years, Dempsey has distinguished himself as an award-winning speaker, having won the Toastmasters International Speech Contest for the State of Georgia in 1987 and 2000. He also serves as an adjunct professor of public speaking at Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia, where he has taught beginning and advanced public speaking for sixteen years, helping hundreds of students and business leaders enhance their speaking skills, increase their confidence, and create more persuasive speeches. He is also a presentation skills trainer who has worked with many Fortune 500 companies training, consulting, and conducting seminars on the art of powerful communication.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Miranda Publishing, LLC (September 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971516502
• ISBN-13: 978-0971516502
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,069,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Persuasive advice for lawyers, April 2, 2003

By 

Daniel Valenti (MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legally Speaking: 40 Powerful Presentation Principles Lawyers Need to Know (Hardcover)

In Legally Speaking, Mr. Dempsey has created an invaluable guide for lawyers, and I suspect non-lawyers, who need to make presentations to small or large groups. His observations about the art of persuasion are both amusing and insightful. As Dempsey makes clear, talking is not the same as presenting. His focus on "making your case" gets right to the heart of what lawyers do for their clients. Dempsey really wants you to win your audience over and tells you quite clearly how to achieve that goal. Dempsey's comprehensive approach (40 principles!), covers every aspect of lawyers' presentation skills, but still leaves you with one unanswered question: "Can you do a book for non-lawyers?"

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book!, February 25, 2003

By 

Joseph A. Morris (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legally Speaking: 40 Powerful Presentation Principles Lawyers Need to Know (Hardcover)

Where was this book when I was in law school? This is an exceptional overview of not only the tools but also the techniques attorneys so desperately need to communicate clearly. Dempsey not only tells you what you need to know to communicate concisely and with clarity (something far too few attorneys do) but he gives you practical advice you can immediately implement to enhance your speaking skills, regardless of the amount of speaking you do, or where you do it. The writing is engaging, entertaining and highly informative. There are hundreds of ideas and examples for every attorney. This should be required reading in for every law student and lawyer regardless of how often they speak-we need to do a better job and this book shows us how. This is the essential guide, written by an attorney for attorneys. Buy it now!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book actually deserves 10 stars!, October 22, 2002

By 

Susan B. Wilson (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legally Speaking: 40 Powerful Presentation Principles Lawyers Need to Know (Hardcover)

Legally Speaking is a book that is almost too good to be true. Its information for masterful presentations provides breadth, depth, and enormous practical application. What's more, it is easy to read. The book is an excellent resource for anyone who needs to be a more effective communicator. David Dempsey has done an excellent job of laying out his outline in the contents. It is very easy to quickly turn to the information that is most needed in a given moment.
Time after time, we hear popular voices, celebrity voices, and our own voices saying that speaking is an unresolved fear. David Dempsey provides such useful, detailed information and sincere encouragement through his anecdotes that readers will be looking forward to their next opportunity to speak. This book isn't an expense; its an invaluable investment.