Self-Analysis

When I took trial ad in law school we covered a mini-part of a trial in each class section (e.g. the opening statement or cross examination.) We would "perform" in front of our classmates, who would critique our performance, and then we would review a videotape of our own performance with one of the instructors so that we could see our problem areas for ourselves.

It was a sometimes embarrassing, but always valuable experience. I learned that my pitch rises and I speak too fast when I am nervous. My accent comes out when I am trying to be sympathetic. And I tend to make a face that implies that I don't believe what anyone is telling me--which isn't such a great thing when examining one's own client.

So it was with some trepidation that I popped in the CD from my first video-taped deposition today.

I went sooooo slowly. I bet the other attorneys were about ready to strangle me. Definitely need to work on that. I almost sounded like I was speaking to young children--which is a good way to PO the people I have to depose.

And I sound like I am 12 years old. Not sure what to do about that--other than to take up cigarette smoking in an attempt to acquire that sultry Kathleen Turner voice that I get when I have a bad cold. Actually, it seemed like my voice sounded a bit more mature once I became a little irritated with the deponent. So maybe I need to go into my depositions a little PO'd. I also sped up a bit. Apparently I talk too fast when I'm nervous or when I am irritated.

Otherwise, I did ok. I have read enough deposition transcripts to know that short and concise is much better than long and rambling, so I avoided that pitfall.

Hopefully no jury will have to sit through my painfully slow cross-examination--but at least I got the chance to see where I need to improve.