Most Important Skills For A Deputy District Attorney In Trial Litigation
For a Deputy District Attorney in Trial Litigation, strong public speaking skills and thorough knowledge of the case are crucial for effective communication and negotiation. However, Lance emphasizes that being respectful and professional, rather than "super cutthroat and adversarial," is essential for success in this career.
Communication Skills, Legal Knowledge, Negotiation, Professionalism, Public Speaking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lance Cotton
Deputy District Attorney
Trial Litigation
California State University: Long Beach
Chapman University, School of Law
Criminal Justice
Law
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Public speaking and communication skills are essential for interacting with the public, attorneys, and representing your case effectively.
2. Thorough knowledge of your case is critical for effective discussion and negotiation.
3. Maintaining professionalism and respect, even in an adversarial environment, is highly important.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
I believe public speaking skills are essential. You have to be able to interact with the public, which we do all the time in our job. We also interact with attorneys.
So, whether individuals are representing themselves or are represented by counsel, you're doing a lot of talking. Your ability to be comfortable in that space is critical. Knowing the ins and outs of your case makes you better set to discuss and negotiate it, and that's very critical.
And, I'm going to be honest, I think just being respectful is important. Many people enter the profession thinking it needs to be super cutthroat and adversarial. While it is adversarial, there's a high level of professionalism and respect.
I ensure that I go into a courtroom with that, and I ensure that I give that to my opposing counsel. So, the ability to public speak, negotiate, hear people out, and be respectful are some of the things that really come to mind as far as what makes a good criminal prosecutor.
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