The Trial Lawyer's Art

How do lawyers sway jurors in the heat of a trial? Why do the best trial lawyers seem uncannily able to get the verdict they want? In addressing these questions, folklorist Sam Schrager validates - with a twist - the widespread belief that lawyers are actors who manipulate the truth. Schrager shows that attorneys have no choice but to treat the jury trial as an artful performance, as storytelling combat in which victory most often goes to the lawyer with superior control of craft. Read about the performance styles of some of the nation's most artful criminal and civil advocates - including litigating stars from around the country, such as Roy Barrera, Penny Cooper, Jo Ann Harris, Tony Serra, and Michael Tigar - and from Philadelphia, prosecutor Roger King, defender Robert Mozenter, and the legendary Cecil B. Moore.