138 – Unlocking Success: Rick Friedman on Trying Cases, Self-Improvement, and Framing Moral Truth
Losing is what helps us develop as trial lawyers. If you quit too early after losing a case, you will never know the success you could have had.
On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen speaks with renowned trial lawyer and highly influential author, Rick Friedman. Rick has won multiple nine-figure verdicts, including a verdict against Monsanto for $72 million. What is the secret to Rickâs success? Getting out of his own way.
Tune in to learn more about how to frame âmoral truthâ for the jury and how âuncomfortable factsâ can become good facts by controlling the narrative.
Featured Guest
Name: Rick Friedman
About: Â Rick Friedman is a partner at Friedman | Rubin who built his reputation representing regular people and small businesses injured by large corporations and government entities. He has won large verdicts in difficult cases in the fields of personal injury, defamation, insurance bad faith, and business torts. His books are considered essential reading among trial lawyers and include: Rules of the Road, Polarizing the Case, Becoming a Trial Lawyer, The Elements of Trial, and The Way of the Trial Lawyer.Â
Company:Â Friedman | Rubin, PLLP | LinkedIn
Connect: Â LinkedIn
Episode HighlightsÂ
[02:47] How the journey to becoming a great trial lawyer began: Early on, Rick immersed himself in âtrial stuffâ. Whether it was a book on opening statements or reading about social science, Rick credits various books as having a big influence on his development as a lawyer.Â
[09:49] Get out of your own way: Rick learned a valuable lesson along the wayânot every verdict is a referendum on your worth as a human being and your quality as a lawyer.Â
[17:04] The power of therapy: Rick and Michael discuss how therapy improved their trial skills.
[22:06] Battle of moral truths: In virtually every case, thereâs a conflict going on between certain moral values. The way lawyers frame that moral conflict impacts how jurors view the issues and how they decide the issues.Â
[26:55] Flip the facts: Rick explains how almost every âbadâ fact can become a good fact by controlling the narrative.Â
[30:20] Rules of the Road: Rick talks about his book, how he develops the ârules of the roadâ in his own cases, and the importance of simplifying the case for jurors.Â
[40:59] Maximize your potential: Youâll always do better by just being yourself. Work with what you have, and donât try to be the next somebody else.
[49:25] Continuous improvement: Lawyers are like messengersâdelivering facts to the jury. Good messengers are those who do not promise anything they canât deliver, are prepared, and are honest.
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In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry â specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.