Facts are boring. Stories are riveting. Facts
put jurors to sleep. Stories keep them awake. Facts are essential to the case;
stories are what make those facts persuasive. Each case has a story to tell no
matter how apparently dry or complex the case may be.
At this point, plaintiff lawyers usually
chortle with glee, they’re all about story! Except when the case is about
eminent domain, or the intricacies of a business contract. They then grumble
that business and contract cases lack the excitement of a story. For that
matter, defense lawyers have the same complaint when it comes to business cases
and more. Too often, defense lawyers complain that their side doesn't have a
story to tell. This is false. A lawsuit is first about people, and it is the
people side of a lawsuit that engages jurors.
A story doesn’t have to be long. In fact,
long-winded stories are almost as frustrating to jurors as no story at all. A
story encompasses your theme and gives the major points of the case. Preferably
three points. That’s really all you need. Challenge yourself to finding your
case’s story and then reducing it to the quintessential “Boy meets girl, boy
loses girl, boy gets girl.” A beginning, middle and end. Preferably with your
client cast as the hero.
Short, sweet, and to the point; that’s
effective Courtroom story-telling!
