Heels In The Courtroom

Yes, you are a counselor, but does that mean you have to be a therapist too? Our clients may expect more compassion from us because we are women, but how do we protect our delicate sense of compassion when our jobs bombard us with pain and injustice? Can we compartmentalize and have compassion too? It’s a tough topic…..grab some grace and tune in.

You’ve been trial prepping day and night for weeks, totally focused, running on adrenaline and honestly, kinda loving the rush. Suddenly, the case settles and you’re adrift. When the waves of litigation rock your boat…how do you ease back into your routine? We’ve got tips on how to steady your emotions, give yourself permission to resume the rest of your life, and how boundaries can help you get b...

Trial attorneys win and lose every day, and that roller coaster can be intellectually and emotionally exhausting. Learn how to become more resilient by processing quickly, letting go, and giving yourself permission to spend as much time on the positive as you did on the negative. What does that have to do with being a goldfish? Tune in and find out.

You filed your notice. You defined the topics. And after countless emails and months of waiting, the corporate rep is finally in the chair ready to answer your questions. But wait…..they canceled the night before. They don’t know what you’re talking about. The documents disappeared. And counsel is objecting to every question you ask. If you haven’t faced this yet, you probably will, and today’s ti...

Your expert’s role is to teach the facts and science of your case to the jury. To be their most effective, you need to help them help you. Today’s discussion covers whether or not to share your outline, how to use demonstratives effectively, tips for in-person prep, and how to fire up your expert. Because if you want to win, your expert needs to be as passionate about your case as you are.

“Don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me, honey.” Can you name that movie? It’s one of the top three legal movies on our list, and if you can’t name it, you’d better listen to this episode. If you can name that film, you’ll love our spirited discussion of the classic legal films that inspire us, make us laugh, and teach us to be humble. And should you choose to disagree with our pick...

Self-awareness in the courtroom can make a real difference. Should you intervene or just sit back and let the awkwardness linger when someone misses cues from the judge or jury? Can you teach self-awareness? And if so, how? In part two of our deep dive into self-awareness, you’ll get a few tips on how to enhance your ability to read the room and respond appropriately, even when others don’t.

Respected attorneys play by the rules. But when opposing counsel won’t produce evidence or plays dirty….sanctions are the last resort. In this encore episode, Amy, Liz, Erica, Mary, and Elizabeth share true-life sanction stories and discuss how to protect your reputation if “them fightin’ words” are ever thrown your way.

When was the last time you stopped and recognized what’s good about you? Today, we put the deadlines on pause and reflect upon our biggest life successes. There’s plenty of emotion and lots of group hugs in this episode, so find your quiet place, sit back and share our most personal stories. Then, it’s your turn to celebrate your own accomplishments, cuz if you’re listening and learning, you’re tr...

Be honest. There’s plenty of stuff you hate doing. We probably hate the same stuff you do. Today’s roundtable offers every Heels in the Courtroom attorney the chance to share what she hates and how she handles it. Join us for light-hearted self-examination, rookie-mistake stories, and some solid tips on tackling distasteful tasks.

You did your homework and discovered the opposing counsel’s expert contradicted himself in previous depositions. Once you get your excitement in check, you need to make a strategic decision; Do you drop the bombshell in the depo, or wait for a mic drop in court? Today’s discussion examines the pros and cons of both decisions and offers a gentle reminder to remember to do the same research on your...

Congrats! The female trial attorneys at Heels in the Courtroom have recorded 100 episodes of wit and wisdom, and we hope you’ve learned something that helps you in your life and career. But what have we learned from baring our souls, investing in each other, and trying to create a supportive female-led community? Join our round-table introspection and accept our sincere thanks for being a loyal li...

Back-to-back trials and trial prep take their toll on your time. How can you make room for the rest of your life? Take a moment to focus on knowing what you need to feel refreshed, schedule your rewards ahead of time, and don’t ever feel bad about doing it. Even if it’s just cleaning your apartment or making a turkey burger, make time to do you and reward yourself. Now.

It’s an auto accident case in a small town where everybody knows everybody and the injured wife is suing another driver and her husband. How do you approach voir dire and take on two defendants? Today’s trial story offers interesting trial insights and a well-deserved win in a rural venue.

This hard-fought birth injury case didn’t turn out as we hoped, but we learned a few valuable lessons and you can too. Tune in to hear the trial story and how asking one specific question during deposition brought a whole new light to the case. We also share our secret “trial dares”….personal challenges to keep ourselves grounded during the intense pressure of trial. This particular trial dare inv...

Even the best plaintiff’s attorneys statistically lose more cases than they win. When the trial attorneys from Heels in the Courtroom experience a loss, they take a deep breath and share what they learned, what made them laugh, and how it can help you in your next trial. So if your last case wasn’t a win, pour a glass and cheer up with us. We’ll share the good, the bad, and the ugly from two recen...

How can you establish immediate rapport with your client in order for them to trust you, listen to you, and make sure your advice is getting through? In this encore of a pre-COVID episode, Amy, Mary, Erica, Liz, and Elizabeth share stories and tips on putting clients at ease for deposition, do’s and don’ts for deposition etiquette, and how to stand up to hostile opposing counsel gracefully.

Women attorneys walk a fine line between being perceived as being powerful and assertive or aggressive and not-very-nice. Knowing when to channel each is a delicate balance that can enhance or adversely impact your reputation. Today’s discussion tackles the double-standard of assertiveness between male and female attorneys and offers tips on how you can temper your behavior to project the right to...

Have you ever avoided talking to a co-worker who is not performing up to expectations, or put off telling a client you can’t take their case just because you don’t want to have that uncomfortable conversation? How you set expectations can make difficult discussions more productive and less personal. Amy, Liz, Erica, and Elizabeth share their experiences with difficult discussions and offer constru...

Opposing counsel is being difficult, or the client is confused. You’re trying to be nice, but the message isn’t getting through. Before you throw up your hands and shout “What do you want?!”….try our 7 tips for more effective communication. They will help you build trust with your clients, receive better work products, and be more productive in any conversation.

You’re out of the office, but the clients and the cases never stop. Do you send an email at the Washington Monument, or wait until you get home? What will happen if you don’t respond immediately? And is the anxiety of being “disconnected” when you turn off your email really giving you a break at all? Tune in for research and real-life suggestions that can help you balance your work with your well-...

How can you successfully advocate for your client if you haven’t walked a mile in their shoes? Going beyond a five-minute intake phone call will help you better understand your client’s needs, fears, and goals, open new avenues in your arguments and build trust that pays off throughout the entire litigation process. Learn how and when to reach out, specific questions to ask to jumpstart deeper con...

Women often back down from conflict. It’s in our nature, but is it in our best interest? Today’s episode offers insight on when to stand down and when to stand your ground when a co-worker gives you a work product that doesn’t meet your expectations, a partner promises you a significant trial opportunity and then gives it to someone else, and opposing counsel is less than cooperative. Tune in for...

A reporter requests information on your case. Do you have an ethical responsibility to respond to their inquiry? Are there benefits to be gained from pre- or post-trial publicity? Or is “no comment” always the best response? This episode reviews ABA rules on comments to the media and explores on and off-the-record responses, providing information for background and how to weigh media requests whil...

File the motions. Schedule the depos. Read the records. Prep the exhibits. When should you write your open, directs, crosses, and close? Who is getting the hotel for the expert? And why should you write this all down? This episode outlines key items for your trial prep checklist starting at 60 days, 30 days, two weeks, and one week from the trial date. These scheduling tips will help you reduce st...