My First Jury Trial
October 2019 -- my first jury trial.
I joined the team after they won summary judgment, leaving only damages for trial.
An associate was leaving the firm for a clerkship and when asked to fill her shoes, I didn't hesitate.
This was a pro bono file, representing the father of the youngest victim of Sandy Hook--a defamation lawsuit against a conspiracy theorist.
I was fourth chair.
As part of the pre-trial lead up, I was tasked with flying to NYC to take the trial deposition of our expert witness and deposing the defendant.
At trial, that deposition video was played in full and I cross-examined the defendant in open court.
I'll never forget the moment we stood and the juror pool walked in.
I had chills and my eyes teared up. It was a moment I'd dreamed of for a long, long time.
Depositions and trial work remain my favorite part of this job.
I love living and breathing in the facts, the people.
I love the deep preparation coupled inevitably with pivoting and thinking on your feet.
In this case, the defendant was a difficult witness.
At one point, he called into question the Court's prior rulings (that his statements were defamatory).
Immediately, the Court called the lawyers to the bench (pictured below--that's the back of my head).
My mentor, also Emily, ran up with me. As a true guide and teacher, she guided me through the examination prep with belief, open ears, and candor.
She debriefed with me afterwards and went out of her way to speak kindly of my work to others.
From that moment, I knew I had it--the trial bug.
In big law, in commercial litigation, we don't go to trial often.
We live in the lead up and the negotiations and settlement that sometimes occur on the eve of or during trial.
But, for every matter and every client, I am trial ready. You can't do the other parts well if you're not.
We won that trial and every court affirmed the outcome on appeal--the Wisconsin Court of Appeals even quoted my trial examination in their decision; it hangs on my wall today. 🔥✌🏻♥️
