One of the mysteries of life is where we fit in and how we interact with others. Are we extroverts or introverts or do we lie in between. Among the materials in Luke’s blog research folder was the January 2016 issue of the ABA Journal. The featured article is titled, “Introverts in an Extroverts’ World” written by Leslie A. Gordon. Luke considered himself an introvert and I for the most part considered myself an extrovert, but after reading the article I must reconsider.
Based upon psychological testing of over 6000 attorneys since 1990, 60 percent were found to be introverts. More tend to prefer being problem solvers rather than being adversarial. Which brings me to the biggest quandary of my professional career, “Do you have to be an asshole to be a great trial lawyer?” Early in my practice in Covington I tried a number of felony cases as a public defender, with little success. Then I spent 4 years prosecuting in the Kenton county Attorney’s Office. Most of the jury trials were DUI cases and my success rate picked up. And with that my confidence grew. At the same time though, I observed that many of the most successful trial attorneys were brash, aggressive and yes, assholes. Still I was not ready to go there.
The turning point came for me in 1995.I represented a 17 year old African American male who was being tried as an adult for shooting another young African American man. I spent a lot of time at the Kenton County Jail meeting with my client. And every time we spoke he told me the same story about being threatened and being in fear of his life. It was then I learned about believing in your client and being there to tell his story. And that is what it takes to win trials. We as attorneys must be able to tell our clients story to a jury.
My philosophy is that you talk to jurors the same way you talk to people sitting in your living room. And the most important time for that is voir dire. When selecting a jury, you not only want potential jurors to open up to you but you want to open up to them. You must let them know who you are and who your client is. You must begin telling his story then and continue telling it all the way through closing argument.
In that trial in 1995 my client was found guilty of a misdemeanor assault. The following year I tried my first murder case in Frankfort and my client was found Not Guilty based on self-defense. At that point I had a passion for trying cases. So you do not have to be the center of attention to be a great trial lawyer. You just have to be able to bring attention to the real reasons your client is where he is.
So what does that have to do with Introvert vs. Extrovert? I look back at who I am and my career and I see many of the characteristics of the introvert describe me. And I look back at Luke’s personality. He liked being around his friends and most of the time his family, but often when he was around others he preferred to be left alone to focus on whatever task or source of entertainment held his focus. This subject deserves more self-searching on my part. I will let you know what I find.
The Trials of Luke 