How much of your practice
is litigation and trials?
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Your lawyer must be fluent in the rules of evidence and procedure applicable to trials. Knowledge
of these special rules guides the litigation and trial preparation. Fluency comes only with actual
practice.
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How many trials have you
conducted as first chair?
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Without repeated experiences before a jury, the introduction of evidence, handling of objections
and presentation of persuasive arguments may be impossible. The pressure of your trial is no time
for your lawyer to be learning.
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What risks do I face and
what are the alternatives?
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What you need to know, not want to hear: Do you feel pressured to litigate? Not all cases are
created equal. If your case presents unreasonable expenses or risks for trial, your lawyer should be
able to assess this and help you avoid a catastrophe.
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Board Certification: Experience is an excellent indicator but how do you verify a lawyer's
credentials? Although many fine trial lawyers are not board certified, how does one know if his
lawyer is competent? As with physicians, Board Certification provides independent, rigorous
standards and testing administered by a third party agency as measurements of special
competence as a trial attorney. Becoming Board Certified requires commitment and is
challenging; Testing, references and experience are all required. Very few Michigan trial lawyers
have taken this step. Mike Lebow has been board certified since 1991 by the National Board of
Trial Advocacy, and was President of the NBTA, 2004-2005. See the website of the National Board
of Trial Advocacy
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