use this word next time


Hey Reader,

We’ve ALL heard it a bazillion times—paint a picture with your words for the jury.

Locations. Injuries. Pain and suffering. Loss. Make it visual.

You wanna know what word gets me “painting” in my head every time?

Cherry-picked.

Maybe because it reminds me of eating frozen cherries in the hot Bay Area summers, until my fingertips turned red—or because my dad warned me that a cherry tree would grow in my stomach if I swallowed the pits.

Either way, it’s a visual that’s got me thinking the expert….

🍒 Is caught red-handed

🍒 Will start sprouting roots with all the lies they’re swallowing

Want more juicy words for your next depo or cross?

Check out this episode of Cross Lab.

Attorneys Federico Lathrop and Mike Hackard bring word choices that stop a listener cold — plus some of the most masterful looping we've heard on an expert witness.

What’s covered:

  • The double edge sword of multi-fact questions
  • Questions that expose biases—no matter what the witness answers
  • What successful lawyers you love have in common
  • Why the word “AND” is the invitation you want to give to your jury

PLUS… You’ll get their take on how to balance expectations and earn trust with emotionally charged clients.

Take a LISTEN (or WATCH) here.

Your seed-planting trial consultants,

P.S. More episodes are coming. Got a past case that still keeps you up at night? Tell us about it — we may feature it on a future Cross Lab. Always interesting to see what other attorneys would do with it.


Looking for more resources to help you ‘be you’ AND win more cases?

Start here for more resources and other trainings:​

💡Turn Facts to Feels: Access Your Jury’s Decision-Making Emotions (Get it here)

💡Lawyer to Client Jackpot Questions (Get it here)

💡Cross Lab Podcast: Live simulations putting cross strategies to the test (Listen here)

💡Acting for Trial Lawyers: Natural, Engaging and Credible Presentations
(Grab it here)

💡Book a free 30-min strategy session with Steve and Olivia: Pick our brain about your case narrative or witness— no strings attached! (Schedule here)

Trial Haus Consulting
(657) 464-3117
Steve@trialhaus.com

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Trial Haus Consulting

Courtroom strategy meets storytelling craft. Weekly insights on deposition prep, cross-examination, and attorney performance — from trial consultants who've trained litigators across 2,000+ depositions.

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