Trying Cases to Win: Direct Examination

by Herbert Jay Stern

Herbert J. Stern, nationally recognized trial lawyer and accomplished teacher of trial techniques, will show you how to win cases.<p class=copymedium>In <b>Trying Cases to Win</b>, Stern elaborates on the techniques he's made famous in his seminars and videos as he commits to print his methods and strategies for trying cases to win.<p class=copymedium>"He masterfully weaves these guiding principles into a new way of life for the trial lawyer. You would not want this book to get into the hands of your adversary." --Jeffrey D. Robertson, New York, NY<p class=copymedium>In this volume, Stern takes you through a variety of direct examination techniques that will keep you in control and in charge, driving home his points using transcripts from a broad variety of cases that bring his philosophy to life.

Genres: Nonfiction

457 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final full chapter where he works through Rigo’s direct is very tedious but very rewarding. You see everything in action, pages of a transcript more than 50 years old come alive.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herbert Stern has done a fine job combining trial war stories with practical, how-to advice for trial lawyers. His theories for jury trials are contrary to much of the common received wisdom about what to do. I really enjoyed the first volume (opening statements, or, as Stern prefers, opening arguments) and was looking forward to following up with this volume on direct examination. He focuses on crafting a direct examination, particularly of key witnesses, to be a persuasive argument at the time of testimony and not merely the putting in of evidence to allow a strong closing. In particular, Stern rejects the idea that a good direct involves a witness telling his own story in chronological order. Highly recommended reading for trial lawyers. Not especially interesting for lay readers.