The Essential Traits of Great Trial Lawyers with Hon. Mark Bennett (Federal District Court Judge)

"You have to have the desire and passion to be the best that you can be. And that takes an incredible amount of hard work. You have to find role models. It's good to read about it, but you have to watch and, you have to second chair really good trial lawyers. And then you have to be fearless. Not every trial is going to go like you thought it was going to go. Things are going to go south and you have to pick yourself up and learn from that and not be discouraged by it. You have to be gritty."

Hon. Mark Bennett joined us on RVA Trial Lawyers. We discuss his many years as a trial lawyer and a judge, what makes an effective trial lawyer, the power of storytelling in the courtroom, and the importance of doing the right thing even in the face of opposition. 

It was a privilege having Judge Bennett join us.

Recommended Reading:

Eight Traits of Great Trial Lawyers: A Federal Judge’s View on How to Shed the Moniker “I am a Litigator”  by  Judge Mark W. Bennett

From the Bench. Obituary: The American Trial Lawyer, Born 1641 - Died 20?? by Judge Mark W. Bennett 

RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast

Trial lawyers do not become great overnight. It takes persistence, a relentless work ethic, a willingness to learn from mistakes, a burning passion for the craft, an authentic self, and the courage and vulnerability to enter the arena time and again.

Those who become great trial lawyers also become great people. Through their work, they grapple with the realities of the human condition and in the process cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, strength, compassion, and perseverance.

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Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki
RVA Trial Lawyers