Over the years I’ve heard many colleagues talk about venues where they don’t like to practice. Some suburban lawyers don’t like Philadelphia courts; and some Philly lawyers don’t like to appear in the county courts. But I like to take my show on the road. In the main, the various courts are more similar than they are different. But courts do vary with respect to local practices and procedures. Embracing the differences is the key to being effective when you go on the road. It’s not difficult to learn the differences either. Go early, smile, introduce yourself, ask questions, show respect to courthouse staff and observe your surroundings. Avoid telling people “how they do it where your from.” No one cares about that. What they do care about is attorney they’ve never seen before who seamlessly absorbed the nuances of their local practice, stood up and made an outstanding presentation. You want to be that attorney. Importantly, the venue that you choose can be a strategic choice that affects the outcome of a case. Limiting your client’s choices because you don’t feel comfortable in a certain county is bad practice. If you’re not comfortable, take the time to become comfortable.
Designing Creative Approaches. Delivering Efficient Resolutions.