Public Speaking for Lawyers Outside the Courtroom: How Legal Professionals Can Command the Room in Boardrooms, Media Interviews, and Public Events

News Center
Public Speaking for Lawyers Outside the Courtroom: How Legal Professionals Can Command the Room in Boardrooms, Media Interviews, and Public Events

Think public speaking is just for the courtroom? Not so. Litigators are not the only lawyers who must deliver effective presentations. The ability to speak clearly, concisely, and confidently can be a gamechanger for all aspects of the legal profession.

Many attorneys believe public speaking is only helpful for courtroom performance. But outside the courtroom, strong presentation skills can boost your career, build trust, and win clients.

The Stakes Are Still High – Just Different

For non-litigators, the stakes are high but different from the courtroom. Instead of persuading a jury, lawyers must be able to persuade clients and stakeholders.

An element of persuasion is knowing how to deliver information when running meetings, recruiting for the firm, and presenting in boardrooms. Attorneys may be called upon to give CLE presentations, speak on panels, or even give keynotes at legal conferences. The challenge is to speak clearly without legalese. The key is to put content in simple enough terms for the layperson to understand. This requires defining terms early in the presentation and not making assumptions about the knowledge of the audience. Avoid jargon unless you are talking to your peers. People will not ask for an explanation because they don’t want to appear ignorant.

Getting Started: A Formula for Effective Public Speaking

A simple acronym for effective public speaking is the YAM storytelling formula:

Know Yourself.
Know your Audience.
Know your Message.

Step One: Know Yourself

Identify your style and personal brand and to be true to yourself. Be intentional about how you want to be perceived. How do you want the audience to describe you after your presentation? Knowledgeable? Authoritative? Dynamic? Choose a few adjectives to define yourself. These will serve as benchmarks when you critique your presentation. Choose your brand or the audience will decide it for you. The most effective presenters are authentic. So be you!

Step Two: Know Your Audience

This is the most challenging of the three areas. Content must be tailored to different audiences. Presenting a contract to a business partner is different from explaining the information to a layperson. While a litigator will engage in voir dire of witnesses, attorneys who are not in court may overlook important considerations in profiling their audience. For example, what is their industry, history, technical level of understanding, or expectations of your presentation? What is their style and how do they like to receive information?

Step Three: Know Your Message

And know it cold. Most presenters know their message but may think they have to memorize it. DON’T MEMORIZE, FAMILIARIZE. Being scripted will make you sound unnatural and if you forget a line, you’re stuck with a long, embarrassing silence. Knowing your key messages will allow you to be conversational.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Legalese. Use plain language. Translate complex terminology into layperson terms. One way to do this is to use the sentence, “What that means is….” And then say it simply. For example, “The eminent domain rights are….” What that means is … the government’s right to take private real property for just compensation.”

Data Dumping. An audience can quickly become overwhelmed with too much detail. Get to the point. This is especially key when speaking to the media. Speak in soundbites. Brevity adds clarity to the message. This is critical when presenting in boardrooms. Tell them what they need to know, not everything you know.

Monotone Delivery. A flat tone or lack of affect is deadly. Going over a contract doesn’t give an attorney license to be boring. Project your voice and vary your intonation. Engage your audience with vocal energy.

Over Scripting. Memorizing a script or reading a PowerPoint slide is an instant credibility killer. Use bullet points. Know your key messages and speak from your knowledge base. Maintain a conversational tone.

Speaker-Centered Introductions. The presentation is about them; don’t make it about you. One of the most boring ways to begin a talk is, “Today I’m going to talk to you about …” The audience doesn’t care about you or your topic. They care about their own self interests. So, lead with a benefit to grab their attention. “Good morning. What would happen if suddenly your identity was stolen, or your reputation was compromised? In the next 30 minutes I’ll show you how to protect your assets and find the right legal representation.” The best speakers are listener centered.

Key Differences Outside the Courtroom

While the principles of effective public speaking don’t change, the approach may vary depending on the situation and audience. Consider these differences when presenting outside the courtroom:

Audience Expectations. The difference between speaking to judges or laypeople is the ability to speak two different languages – legalese and everyday language.

Time Constraints. Lawyers must be able to make their point in three minutes, not 30. You’re not building a court case. When speaking to the media, create soundbites of 7 to 10 seconds. Think of a soundbite as a quotable quote.

Tone and Language. The shift for non-litigators is to go from adversarial to conversational language. An aggressive tone can make the audience feel interrogated.

Visuals and Slides. Storytelling tools, which are rarely used in court, are powerful for getting the point across. Metaphors, analogies, anecdotes, humor, case studies, and pictures can strike an emotional chord and make the message memorable.

Practice Tips for Lawyers

Rehearse out loud and time yourself.
Record yourself on video. Tune into body language, tone, pacing, and filler words.
Ask a non-lawyer to listen. Can they follow along?
Invest in executive communication coaching. The top speakers have coaches.

Final Thoughts

There are many venues and opportunities for public speaking outside the courtroom. Whether you’re on a panel, pitching a client, or speaking at a CLE class, your presentation skills matter. Use them to connect, influence, and lead. Because your next big opportunity may come from the way you speak, not just what you know.

Speaking is a leadership skill. Showcase your brand and embrace the stage. Your future clients may be watching.

This article appears in a forthcoming issue of One on One, the publication of the General Practice Section. For more information, please visit nysba.org/gen.

Diane DiResta, a certified speaking professional, is the founder and CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc., a consultancy based in New York City dedicated to empowering business leaders to deliver high-stakes presentations, whether one-on-one, on stage, or virtually. She is the author of “Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz.” Diane has spoken on four continents and has worked with top-tier clients, including Fortune 500 companies, professional service firms, and nonprofits.