Trial by Woman

Courtney Rowley & Theresa Bowen Hatch

Format: Paperback
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Trial by Woman is a relevant and honest look at what it takes to not only succeed as a woman practicing trial law in today’s fast-paced world, but to thrive in an ever-changing environment of gender dynamics and foster an inclusive and diverse strategy for equity and equality in the field of law. Writing from their experience as highly successful women who practice in an intense and unrelenting profession, Courtney Rowley and Theresa Bowen Hatch offer tools, strategies, and advice that is not just anecdotal, but time-tested and earned from years of experience building successful careers.

They maintain that now is the time for a new way of practicing law, and teach you how to use their unique Trial Perspective approach to increase the value of your work and the results you obtain for your clients. Tired of waiting in line at the old boys’ club? This is the book for you.

Paperback: 432 pages; 1st edition (2018); ISBN: 9781941007815
Publisher: Trial Guides, LLC

Introduction xiii

 Part 1: Our Time Is Now 

  1. Together, Women Run the World 
  2. The New Model for Practicing Law
  3. Women Have Superpowers
  4. We Have the Power to Create the Future We Want

 Part 2: The Power of Being a Woman in the Law

  1. Hold on a Minute, Let’s Keep This Real
  2. An Interview with Roxanne Barton Conlin 

 Part 3: Unexpected Ways to Increase Your Success 

  1. The Power of Women Promoting Women
  2. Finding Your Voice 
  3. The Courage to Be Feminine 
  4. How to Open Your Own Law Firm 

 Part 4: Trial Perspective and Trial Techniques

  1. Trial Perspective
  2. Focus Groups by Woman
  3. Discovery by Woman
  4. Jury Selection by Woman
  5. Opening Statement by Woman
  6. Direct and Cross-Examination by Woman
  7. Closing by Woman
  8. Negotiation and Settlement by Woman

 Part 5: The Highest and Best Use of Your Time

  1. The Importance of Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health 
  2. On New Motherhood and Family 
  3. On Health and Healing
  4. Tips for Law Students

 Part 6: Being a Woman in the Courtroom

  1. Dressing the Part
  2. Minding Your Behavior
  3. Calling Men to Action


 Epilogue

Appendix A

Appendix B 

Appendix C 

Appendix D 

What Legal Leaders Are Saying

It is rare for a book about practicing law to be so enthralling that you can’t put it down. This is a such a rare book. It is inspirational, empowering, and blunt. It is not judgmental or preachy. Courtney and Theresa have been there and done that—and they are willing to share their experiences, both good and bad. The stories have a familiar ring to them, but they use them to illustrate important things about being a woman, being a trial lawyer, being a mom, being a wife, sister, friend, and all at the same time. Sometimes, these courageous women write poignantly about making almost impossible choices, feeling lonely and wrestling with guilt. They also offer valuable tips about trying cases. They offer us their whole lives with grace and with dignity. All women lawyers should read it and so should most male lawyers.

— Roxanne Barton Conlin, past president of the AAJ and member of the Inner Circle of Advocates

It’s about time! This book will be the splendid mother of a necessary progeny of great seminars, articles, workshops, and more good books from more voices we all need. I’d wanted to say that Courtney Rowley and Theresa Bowen Hatch have done a masterful job, but the lack of a feminine form of the word ‘mastery’ is precisely the kind of thing that makes this book so essential. And yeah, I have to admit that men better read it, too.

— David Ball, trial consultant and author of David Ball on Damages

Are you lucky enough to have a female best friend to turn to who also happens to be a trial lawyer in a predominantly male profession going through the same experiences or hurdles that you are facing? If so, consider yourself truly fortunate. If not, this is the book for you. Crammed full of helpful insights, war stories, and advice, it is a book that reminds you that you must be good to yourself in order to be good in the courtroom for others. And most importantly, it reminds us that we are all part of a precious sisterhood that needs to be cherished. Enjoy it over a warm cup of tea or cocoa and remember: you are not alone. There is nothing we cannot accomplish together.

— Deborah Chang, selected by the Daily Journal as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California, named as one of the “Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar” by the National Law Journal and ALM, recipient of the 2014 Consumer Attorney of the Year Award and 2017 Women’s Caucus Women Consumer Advocate of the Year Award, and has consistently obtained some of the largest verdicts and settlements in California and Las Vegas

As a trial lawyer and the proud father of one daughter who just became a new lawyer and another daughter who just started law school, I appreciate that Courtney Rowley and Theresa Bowen Hatch have written a book that can advise my daughters on being strong women in a demanding profession from a female perspective.

— Brian Panish, member of the Inner Circle of Advocates

Trial by Woman is a brutally honest trial practice book that deals with issues confronting women in the courtroom today. It is a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to balance the demands of real-life with real law. This book should be read by every women who wants to become a better trial lawyer and any man who wants to come into the twenty-first century.

— Gary Dordick, emeritus member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles Board of Governors and obtained the highest jury verdict in Ventura County ($125 million) in 2016

This is the book women lawyers have long awaited. A Lean In for women attorneys, it teaches you how to speak up for yourself and the people you represent; quiet the fears that keep you from being your best; connect with the jurors, the judge and, most importantly, your true self; and start and run your own law practice. With great insight and gentle humor, Courtney and Theresa show why a woman’s unique talents make her the best advocate in the courtroom. Sprinkled through with stories of their own adventures (and a few mistakes), these two young powerhouse trial lawyers will have you eagerly packing your shoulder bag for your next trial.

— Randi McGinn, past president of the Inner Circle of Advocates and author of Changing Laws, Saving Lives: How to Take on Corporate Giants and Win

A thoughtful, lively, and much needed book on how to be a female trial lawyer. Filled with practical advice and inspiration for women—but also for men. An important addition to any trial lawyer’s library.

— Rick Friedman, past president of the Inner Circle of Advocates and coauthor of Rules of the Road: A Plaintiff Lawyer’s Guide to Proving Liability

Trial by Woman has insightful and valuable advice for all trial lawyers. This is a book for all new lawyers and those who mentor with guidance and commonsense advice. Women who are trial lawyers need this book and men who are trial lawyers need it just as much or more.

— Paul Luvera, past president of the Inner Circle of Advocates and the Washington State Bar

Trial by Woman is not lawyer with an asterisk. It is lawyer with an exclamation point. For those skeptics, check out Theresa and Courtney’s trial results, take a good look at the current landscape, then get to reading this book. As zealous advocates who are deep in the trenches, trying their cases, Courtney and Theresa generously share experiences, the lessons they’ve learned from others and on their own, along with techniques to utilize in the practice of law and their wisdom moving forward. Trial by Woman is not meant to be ‘read by woman’ only. It’s too valuable a resource for that, especially during these times. This is not about separation—it is all about empowerment.

— Artemis Malekpour, litigation partner at Malekpour and Ball Consulting and co-presenter in Focus Groups: How to do Your Own Jury Research

Only when truth is openly discussed can progress be made. Theresa and Courtney candidly explore the truth of being a woman in the legal profession. As your read their story, you’ll find yourself saying ‘me too’ as you enjoy vignettes about their journey, and through their perseverance and shared wisdom you’ll be inspired.

— Jayme Simpson, member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, committee chair of the New Lawyers Division of Consumer Attorneys of California, and former director of the New Lawyers Division of San Diego County Bar Association

Rowley and Bowen Hatch remind us that we, modern women, are uniquely equipped to shape the hearts and minds of jurors through genuine connection. They challenge us to elevate our practice and ourselves. Nurturing and empowering, Trial by Woman is more than a book. It’s a mantra.

— Ibiere N. Seck, member of the board of governors of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California, and president of the National Black Lawyers 40-under-40

Trial by Woman is a must-read book for female trial lawyers at all stages of their career and the men who mentor and support them. Together, Courtney Rowley and Theresa Bowen Hatch have called upon their years of experience as top trial lawyers to develop an innovative approach to trying cases called Trial Perspective. Using it, women can learn the skills and strategies needed to work smarter instead of harder, allowing them to use their unique talents to successfully represent their clients while also finding that always elusive work/life balance. Rowley and Bowen Hatch finally address in print what women in the trial world have been struggling with privately for decades, and they do so with grace, humor, and common sense. I intend to recommend it to all my female law students who are planning to try cases for a living.

— Susan Poehls, director of trial advocacy at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and recipient of Stetson Law School’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Advocacy