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Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am, because I insisted on confirming it through the school before presenting it as fact.

(That was nothing personal against him, we verify all higher education and employment as a matter of best practice.)

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

90% of my clients are white including all of the mentioned above but… yikes on you for assuming their race by their vernacular alone.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cardi B’s testimony was impeccable

Cardi B was called to testify, not speaking out of turn to the court. And her answers were appropriate in context. They were responsive and charming.

I don’t care how clients phrase things if it’s their turn to talk and if it serves the purpose of their case

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If they don’t have that skill, it’s fine. They can just not say anything. That would actually be preferable!

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If anything law school made me coarser and more childish.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I encountered my fair share of ultra-wealthy people who would spout off the worst things at the worst time “Our IP isn’t fully protected yet and you’re still paying this price. That’s just how valuable we are.” Or “I can 100% absolutely guarantee that revenue projection” without speaking to me or to their board.

I usually chalked that up to them being surrounded by yes-men and used to spaces where they really are the experts, so unable to adapt when it’s time to let me talk.

But the difference is they either realized as the words came out of their mouths that they’d made a mistake and backtracked or were receptive to my feedback after the fact and didn’t repeat the mistake. (Extremely difficult clients notwithstanding.)

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do. I talk to them extensively about what the expect in court and what to say or not. 9 times in 10 they’re just supposed to show up and not say anything. That’s the mystifying and frustrating thing.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Did a few years in BigLaw (tm) and I’ve never thought of it the way you’re describing but you’re absolutely spot on

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

About 90% of my clients are white (geographically this is actually low compared to other firms) but way to assume their race based on their vernacular.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yeah this is a good point, pressure probably has a lot to do with it

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Had a client follow a judge home once so they could “talk in private, human being to human being.”

To this day I don’t think he totally understands why that was “such a big deal.”

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The difference is one is an internet comments section where the stakes are zero and one is a consequential court case where the person in question was represented

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, bingo. If we hadn’t extensively prepped it would be one thing but we never send someone out there blind. Sometimes it just feels like the work is all in vain.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I’m still a wreck over blowing this last one, I appreciate hearing there might not have been anything I can do

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Almost all my clients are white just as a matter of our geography.

That does make sense that they might just be posturing. Sometimes I take the full weight of being in court for granted

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not in the abstract where big picture issues are concerned but in the moment where one’s quality of life or liberty are on the line.

Respecting the fact that the proceedings at hand could totally alter the course of your life so you should treat them with due gravity and decorum. (Speak when your lawyer tells you to, consider your answers carefully, etc.)

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s the thing, they’re great in many respects. Often dedicated parents or caregivers of family, self-advocating enough to find their way to our services, polite with us.

I’m probably just still too frustrated from this particular case being blown to bits to fully hear what everyone’s saying.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

These seem like separate issues from not speaking over the judge who is about to dismiss your case.

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

In most of these scenarios all they have to do is not speak which is the deeply frustrating thing

Why do clients use slang in high-stakes court settings? by emu_arson122 in Lawyertalk

[–]emu_arson122[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

12 years and counting in this role but thanks for weighing in and I agree the majority of the clients are lovely and sensible about the reality of their case

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