Since leaving the bench one year ago and after nearly two decades sitting as a circuit judge, I am often asked to advise attorneys on practical tips for the preparation and presentation of courtroom arguments. Seasoned lawyers understand that judges have varying perspectives and experiences. The judge is typically focused on resolving the dispute in a fair and effective manner.
As a judge, I was frequently asked about my favored or preferred type of case; the response was easy — “a closed one.” The judge sits as the fact finder and ultimately the decider. And in state court, the judge remains the manager of a ridiculously large number of open cases.
