The atmosphere of legal practice is rightfully infused with ethical rules and aspirations. The Rules of Professional Conduct for Maryland lawyers are contained in Chapter 300 of the Maryland Rules. Some rules are broader than one might think and require ...

Tagged with: legal ethics Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct Paul Mark Sandler

The practice of law has a rich heritage. Lawyers throughout history have contributed to the development of the rule of law, and to our present day system of justice. Representation of a client whether in court, the board room, or ...

Tagged with: civility legal profession Paul Mark Sandler

Your client in a criminal case admits to you that he was at the crime scene when the crime occurred, but he insists on testifying falsely that he was at home drinking beer with his father at the time. If ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler young attorneys

I shake my head and smile, now at the Bar 50 years, at the many humiliating mistakes I have made, particularly as a young lawyer. For me, the saving graces are the lessons I have learned along the way. I ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler young attorneys

The purpose of the closing argument is to incite jurors or a judge to render the decision you request. It is not about impressing listeners with your eloquence. According to the apocryphal tale, when listeners heard Demosthenes, they would remark, ...

Tagged with: closing arguments Paul Mark Sandler

Many of us spend significant time in our daily lives attempting to convince others to “see it our way.” Often these efforts are in a courtroom, boardroom, office, or with family and friends. The secret to succeeding in these persuasive ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler

It appears that this remarkable trial lawyer, noted for his mesmerizing eloquence in court and for defending controversial individuals, may have bribed two prospective jurors in the so-called McNamara case. Clarence Darrow denied this officially, but on occasion inferred the ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler

The growth of our common law evolves on a case-by-case basis, beginning in the Middle Ages during the time of Henry II in the 1160s.  The king created the King’s Bench, a circuit of judges known as the Assizes. They ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler

Life among government leaders in Washington, D.C., in the mid-1800s was hectic during the days and a whirlwind of social activities at night. Debates in Congress were rough then, as they are today. But in the evenings, disputes were put ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler

The theoretical purpose of the opening statement is to present to the judge or jury the evidence you plan to present during the trial. All this, but without arguing. Argument is reserved for closing, after the evidence has been presented ...

Tagged with: Paul Mark Sandler