Includes bibliographical references and index.

Dealing with clients -- Dealing with everyone other than clients you will encounter as a trial lawyer -- Managing and drafting emails and letters -- Drafting documents other than emails and letters -- Preparing for, taking, and defending depositions -- Mediating commercial disputes -- Arbitrating commercial disputes -- Making oral presentations in court -- Presenting an effective plaintiff's case in the courtroom -- Presenting an effective defense in the courtroom -- Dealing with ethical issues -- Marketing your litigation practice -- Coping with stress and creating a life beyond the practice of law -- Succeeding as a trail lawyer: a personal account.

Contains numerous pearls of wisdom, comprehensively discussing what effective trial lawyers eventually learn "on the job," every aspect of the civil litigation process, from first client meeting through appellate argument.