Secret tricks that lawyers use

Hey there

Another Tuesday, another legal crash course from your favorite internet lawyer. 

Today, we’re diving into lawyer tricks. 

First up: the sneaky tactics still in play today. Then, we’ll hit the courtroom moves so dirty they’re flat-out illegal.

Let’s get into it...

Tricks that lawyers use

The courtroom is like a chessboard, and every move has a purpose. 

Some tactics are clever. Others? A little sneaky. 

Here are five tricks lawyers use to gain an edge in court.

1. The Weekend Bombshell

Picture this: it’s Friday afternoon, ice-cold Dr Pepper in hand, and you’re mentally checked out for the weekend. 

Then you get an email... important, urgent, and loaded with legal jargon. It’s a classic lawyer move: drop the big news late on a Friday, leaving you sweating all weekend while your lawyer’s out of reach.

Why it works:

• It puts the other side under intense pressure, forcing them to scramble for a response.

• Some people panic and reply too quickly, making mistakes that hurt their case.

2. The Delay Game

Time is a powerful weapon in court. Lawyers know that delaying a case can weaken the other side’s position. Memories fade, witnesses relocate, and evidence gets harder to verify.

How they do it:

• Filing procedural motions that temporarily pause the case.

• Rescheduling court dates to throw off the other side’s rhythm.

3. Confusing the Witness

Giving evidence in court can feel like verbal warfare, and some lawyers wield jargon like a weapon. By firing off rapid, confusing questions, they try to trip up witnesses into saying something damaging.

Why it’s effective:

• A confused witness is more likely to contradict themselves or give unclear answers.

• Lawyers can exploit these “mistakes” to strengthen their case.

4. A Little Drama Goes a Long Way

Lawyers know that winning a case isn’t just about the law... it’s about the story. They’ll often use subtle theatrics to influence the jury.

Some examples:

5. Making the Opponent Angry

An angry lawyer is a careless lawyer. Some attorneys will push the other side’s buttons on purpose... making personal comments, questioning their integrity, or even calling them names.

The goal? To get the other lawyer to lose their temper in court... a terrible look in front of the judge and jury.

This is important for you to know...

Most lawyers follow the rules and work hard to make their case the right way. 

But every now and then, you’ll find someone using tactics that push the boundaries. These aren’t the norm, but they do happen, which is why it’s so important to know what to watch for.

If you want to recognize when someone’s playing games with you, I’m putting together some easy-to-follow guides on all the basics to keep you one step ahead at all times. To learn more, hop on the waitlist here.

Lawyer tricks so dirty, they’re illegal

Once upon a time, lawyers weren’t afraid to play dirty. Some went way beyond persuasive arguments, pulling tricks that were part genius, part ridiculous, and 100% dirty. 

Here are some of the wildest ones you won’t believe actually happened...

1. The Cigar Distraction

Imagine this: the other lawyer’s crushing it, delivering a killer argument, and the jury’s hanging on every word. What do you do?

If you were Clarence Darrow, you’d pull out your secret weapon... a cigar. But it has a hidden paperclip inside, making the ash grow super long without falling. The jury? Mesmerized. They’re so busy watching the ash that they completely forget about the lawyer’s arguments.

Why It Wouldn’t Work Today: Both distracting the jury and smoking in court are big no-nos.

2. Scorched Earth

You’re in the middle of a big case, and suddenly, the other side starts drowning you in busywork: endless document requests, last-minute cancellations, and a to-do list that’s 10 miles long.

This tactic - known as “scorched earth litigation” - was all about making the other side so frustrated, tired, and broke that they’d settle just to make it stop.

Why It Wouldn’t Work Today: These days, courts have rules to stop lawyers from turning legal battles into a glorified endurance test. 

3. The Ultimate Dirty Trick

This trick is dirty in every sense of the word. It’s gross, it’s ridiculous, and it really happened.

To see what it is, head over to this video!

That’s it for today. Until next Tuesday, this case is closed.

Speak soon

Mike