By Elliott Wilcox & Joe Bodiford In music, it’s not just the notes that create the tune. It’s also the length of the notes and the empty spaces between them that define the music. You immediately recognize one of John Williams’s most iconic scores because of a two notes played by the string bass: Duuuuuuun-dun. The shark's theme from Jaws. You recognize them because of the tempo, pacing, and dramatic rhythm that make the music instantly memorable.  Those two notes repeat for a while, slowly building by shortening the space between their soundings.  Then they get into a steady,driving rhythym...

Three Quick and Easy Ways to Minimize Nervousness During Trial by Joe Bodiford Let’s be honest: standing up in a courtroom and realizing every eye in the room is fixed on you is a special kind of pressure. You are a professional communicator. It's your job to speak on behalf of your clients and ensure that their voices are heard. But what happens if you're too nervous to properly present your client's case? When you forget what you need to say or if the words get trapped and won't come out, your client suffers. Nervousness can decimate the presentation of...

The rules of evidence are the "rules of the road" for trial lawyers. You can have the best facts in the world and the most sympathetic client, but if you can't get your evidence in: or keep the other side's junk out: none of it matters. Don't let bad habits kneecap you and blow your chances of winning your trial.

Understanding the power of words and how they impact jurors' thinking.  eLEX publisher Joe Bodiford explains why "don't" actually means "do" and that simple word can tank your arguments and jeopordize your trial.  Learn some tactics for redirecting jurors' thoughts to what you really need them to think.

If you're like most trial lawyers, December 1st isn't exactly circled on your calendar, unless you're tracking federal rule amendments. Well, December 1, 2025 came and went about two months ago, and it brought some changes worth knowing about. We're now settling into life with new rules governing multidistrict litigation, clearer guidance on privilege logs, and (if we're being honest) still adjusting to that major hearsay amendment from late 2024. Let's break down what actually matters for your practice. The Big One: Rule 16.1 Creates a Roadmap for MDLs Here's something that's never happened before: the federal rules now have...