In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small shares personal stories from early in his legal career that illustrate the invaluable role of experienced trial observers and...more
6/17/2025
/ Career Development ,
Jury Trial ,
Law Firm Associates ,
Litigation Strategies ,
Professional Development ,
Professional Networking ,
Texas ,
Trial Attorneys ,
Trial Practice Guidance ,
Trial Preparation ,
Young Lawyers
In this special guest episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small interviews Ian Ratner, CEO of GlassRatner and B. Riley Advisory Services. Mr. Ratner reflects on his three...more
Litigation attorney Dan Small unexpectedly took the lead in prosecuting the high-profile case of the Farmers Export grain elevator explosion, a major incident in Galveston, Texas, that resulted in the deaths of 18 people in...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small recounts his experience as a new prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division, where he was unexpectedly...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains how knowing the court where a trial lawyer is working can make the difference between winning our losing a case. He...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small reflects on his early experiences in trial law as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Magistrate's Court in Hyattsville,...more
Everyone has their own unique career path. In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook," litigation attorney Dan Small shares his personal journey, highlighting how he initially planned to become a teacher before three...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small talks about the importance of one's appearance while in the courtroom. He especially emphasizes that the wrong clothing can be...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small examines the crucial role of confidence and conviction in persuading a jury, highlighting the fine balance between appearing...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the importance of distinguishing between the theory of the case and the themes used to persuade a jury, emphasizing the...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explores the importance of feedback for trial lawyers and the challenges they face in obtaining it. Mr. Small explains that trial...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small emphasizes the value of observing other lawyers in action, highlighting trials as opportunities to witness persuasive skills...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses effective strategies for closing arguments in trials. Mr. Small emphasizes two key principles: not asking for more...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small zeroes in on the enemies of impactful closing arguments: disorganization and verbal clutter. He critiques the common pitfall of...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small outlines essential rules for lawyers during closing arguments. He speaks about the importance of not misstating evidence or...more
Litigation attorney Dan Small shares insights and strategies for delivering a compelling closing argument in this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series. He explains the challenges of delivering a closing...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains the importance of maintaining control during cross-examination. He emphasizes the need for careful preparation, clear...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the real-world challenges of direct examination, emphasizing that while the ideal scenario would be a perfectly coherent...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the complexities attorneys face in crafting an effective opening statement during a trial. He tackles common challenges...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses some common mistakes that lawyers tend to make in opening statements. As he explains, although there’s no such thing...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small outlines the importance of connecting with jurors from the beginning of the trial. He explains that an important aspect of drawing...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small describes different approaches to opening statements in a trial, outlining three common styles: dramatic, theme-oriented and...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, Holland & Knight litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the use of legalese in the courtroom. He advises attorneys to avoid using too much legal jargon...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small sits down with fellow litigation attorney Trish Rich for a conversation on the importance of civility in trial law. Their...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small divulges the key to being a successful trial lawyer: having a well-organized trial notebook. Mr. Small provides a breakdown of...more