Fortunately, I have never needed a lawyer for anything other than simple run-of-the-mill things. However, I have seen them in action. I have been on juries and I have seen good lawyers and I have seen bad lawyers.

I neither can claim to be an expert on law nor on selecting lawyers. However, I do believe there are some things that are common sense. Right at the top, “how convincing is the man or woman?” One man stands up, speaks with authority and is easily heard from one end of the courtroom to the other while not shouting. Then another lawyer speaks timidly and so softly you have to be within three feet to hear him. Which lawyer will most likely be most convincing.

Lawyers go through a lot of schooling to become lawyers. The spend a lot of money and they put a lot of effort to complete the studies. Every man or woman that completes the studies and passes the bar has invested hours of study. Once he officially becomes a lawyer, he is allowed to argue cases before courts on behalf of their client. It is a trust that is given to a select few. While paralegals can prepare legal documents, the documents do not become legal until the lawyer presents them to the court as their work.

Yet, it would appear that all these colleges and schools seem to ignore one important one thing, how to talk to a jury. Basic acting. How to speak as if you know what you’re talking about. Most of all, speaking with enough volume that everyone in the courtroom can hear him.

I know. You think all this is moot, if I might borrow the legal term, with microphones and loudspeakers. This is not true. It is something of a strange thing, but it seems the electronics have even given the actors a false sense. Frequently, I have to turn my volume up on my TV because some actor thinks he is more convincing when he whispers. To be sure, in the days before microphones, the actors didn’t whisper and they were more convincing than many of the current actors.

My point is this. If you ever have to ask your lawyer to speak up so you can hear him, it is time to start looking for another lawyer. If he doesn’t speak as if he knows what he is talking about, even if he doesn’t, it’s time to find another lawyer. If a person on the jury ever starts leaning forward and cocking his ear to hear your lawyer, it’s time to find another lawyer. Finally, if you have a difficult time understanding your lawyer, it is time to find another lawyer. After all, your lawyer is, so to speak, your “mouth piece.”

As an aside, don’t you think it’s time for all law schools to require a few hours of public speaking? Apparently, right now, it isn’t even a suggestion.