Perspective

     For those who don't know, I coach the Mooresville High School Mock Trial Team.  Yesterday we capped off our 6th season with a tough loss in the North Carolina State Finals after winning the Charlotte regional last month. 
     First off, let me brag for just a moment on my amazing students, especially my seniors who have given so much of themselves over the past several years to help build our program into one of the best in the state.  When I was a teenager, I was an immense geek - heck I was a legendary intellectual snob at A.L. Brown back in the day - but I never would have put as much heart and as many man-hours into an extracurricular activity as these kids have given me.  Hats off!
     I always tell the team how much I learn from them in the process of teaching.  It's true.  Judges and lawyers, particularly in district court where all family cases are heard in North Carolina, don't spend much time arguing proper objections or practicing good cross examination.  In fact, most practitioners and jurists butcher both on a regular basis.  I credit mock trial with keeping me brushed up on those techniques.
     This year I got reminded of something else - the importance of appearances and perception.  Without pouring salt on a fresh wound, let's just say I took major exception to the behavior of one of the judges scoring my team this weekend in the round we lost.  Something completely cosmetic swayed her against us, something having nothing to do with our skills or our case but that cost us major points just the same.
     It was a tough loss, but it reminded me how lawyers and laypeople look at things differently.  I believe judges ignore 75% of the things juries focus on.  Non-verbal cues, appearance, anecdotal clues to a witness's personal background, etc.  A judge looks for the legal problem so he or she can apply the prescribed remedy.  Juries, on the other hand, have a funny way of deciding for themselves what their job should be.
     The lesson for me this weekend is to remember my audience.  I should always spend some time imaging what the decision-maker will think of my case, not just what I think of it.  The lesson for you, my Someday Client, is to trust me when I tell you that win or lose I will have done everything I can under the law to help your cause.
      P.S. - For those who might be interested in our Mock Trial Program, please take the time to like us at www.facebook.com/MHSMockTrial