Experienced trial attorneys are revealing the books, films, podcasts and television shows that shaped their courtroom strategies.
They’re also giving advice to guide the next generation of litigators.
“Every trial is a story,” said Brendan J. Tully, a trial lawyer with Simon Greenstone Panatier in New York.
Tully’s core philosophy on litigation focuses on storytelling and transforming complex information into narratives that resonate with jurors. His advice to young litigators is to connect with people through familiar story archetypes and shared values.
“Take the complex and turn it into the familiar,” he said.
Tully encourages young litigators to study books on storytelling. His recommendations include John Grishman novels, especially the Jake Brigance series and “Gray Mountain.” He also likes “In the Shadow of the Law” by Kermit Roosevelt III, “Tales of a New America” by Robert Reich, “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell and “Diaries of Mario Cuomo” by Cuomo.
His practical tip is not to neglect physical needs like eating and staying hydrated when preparing for court. His go-to staple is the “thinking sandwich” or “thinkwich.”
“Facts are everything,” agreed Angela C. Zambrano, litigator and co-office managing partner of Sidley Austin in Dallas.
Zambrano recommends “Becoming Madam Secretary” by Stephanie Dray about a trailblazer in a challenging era. It tells the story of Frances Perkins, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s labor secretary and the first female cabinet member in U.S. history, who was responsible for child labor laws and employee safety regulations.
Zambrano also recommends the movie “Erin Brockovich,” specifically highlighting the scene where Brockovich, a paralegal, demonstrates intimate knowledge of all the plaintiff’s details. This scene illustrates the importance of thoroughly knowing the case facts.
Zambrano’s key advice for young attorneys is to study case records “like a novel from beginning to end.”
Thomas M. Melsheimer, co-chair of the litigation department and managing partner of Winston & Strawn LLP in Dallas, co-wrote the book “On the Jury Trial: Principles and Practices for Effective Advocacy.” It’s filled with helpful advice for new attorneys.
He also recommended other key practice books, including “Examining Witnesses” and “Persuasion: The Litigator’s Art” by Mike E. Tigar and “The Prosecutors” by James B. Stewart. Tigar’s books are “the best trial books” providing fundamental wisdom about effective courtroom practice, specifically, witness examination and the art of persuasive storytelling, he said.
He also enjoys Valerie Bauerlein’s true crime book “The Devil at His Elbow.” It is about the Alex Murdaugh case and examines the rise and fall of the Murdaugh legal dynasty in Hampton County, South Carolina.
“Don’t try to be somebody else – be yourself,” said Charla Aldous, partner of the Dallas-based law firm Aldous Law. “Don’t be ‘the lawyer you’ – be the ‘you, you.'”
She recommends “Rules of the Road” by Rick Friedman and Patrick Malone as “a fundamental trial book that is beautifully done” and helps young lawyers learn courtroom techniques. It’s required reading for attorneys at Aldous’s firm. She also likes “Case Framing” by Mark Mandell and “Thinking Outside the Box Inside the Courtroom on Voir Dire” by Lisa Blue, Robert Hirschhorn and Jennifer Lapinski.
Her core advice for young attorneys is to be authentic in the courtroom. She reminds them that they are talking to regular people, and there’s no need to appear overly fancy.
“Juries can smell fakeness and fraud a mile away,” she said.
Her recommendations focus on authenticity, clear communication, and compelling case presentation as foundational elements of successful trial practice.
“You can be a ferocious advocate and still observe courtroom etiquette,” agreed Mary-Olga “Mo” Lovett, trial lawyer and founder of the Mo Lovett law firm in Houston.
She advises attorneys to treat the courtroom like a sanctuary, build relationships with courthouse staff, and meet personally with court clerks, reporters and bailiffs.
Lovett recommends the book “Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat” by Michael Masterson, which is about entrepreneurship but applies to trial law. It emphasizes trusting your instincts and making quick decisions when faced with courtroom ‘curveballs,’ which are unexpected challenges or situations that can arise during a trial, Lovett said. She also recommends “Blood and Money” by Thomas Thompson, and describes it as “the best picture of Houston ever in a book.” Though not strictly legal, she said the book gives cultural context for Texas legal history.
Lovett also recommended three podcasts: “Great Trials,” which provides day-by-day postmortems of major trials; “Gavel to Gavel,” which features a comedian host with great lawyers as guests and is a good resource for civil trial lawyers whose cases rarely get media coverage; and “Divided Argument,” which is focused on the Supreme Court and hosted by an originalist and centrist law professor.
Lovett also likes “The Practice,” a 1997-2004 television series created by David E. Kelley that she describes as the only TV show “that is as close to reality in the courtroom.” Lovett said that it realistically handles ethical dilemmas and law firm management and shows procedurally correct legal processes.
Lovett emphasizes the importance of preparation, relationship-building, and maintaining proper courtroom etiquette while effectively advocating for clients.
“Don’t settle,” said John Zavitsanos, managing partner of the AZA Law firm in Houston. That’s the advice he gives young attorneys approaching their first trial.
Zavitsanos recommends the classic “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens, which he describes as “the most inspiring book” he has ever read. He relates to the main character’s humble beginnings, as he grew up poor in inner-city Chicago.
Zavitsanos says the book is a powerful reminder about staying true to one’s roots despite success. He has tried over 100 jury trials in his career and attributes much of his courtroom success to staying grounded and genuine.
Zavitsanos tells young attorneys to try at least five cases to overcome their initial fear and nervousness. He said that he tells them to disregard pressure from judges who push for settlements to clear their dockets.
Zavitsanos says his firm intentionally looks for talented attorneys who “grew up on the other side of the tracks” and are humble.