I am not a lawyer (although I did play one once in a college production of Arthur Miller’s A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.) I am a Psychodrama Trainer/Educator/ Practitioner (TEP) with extensive experience in working with trial lawyers in a number of capacities.
Personal Growth, Trial Skills Practice, and/or Team Building: From 2011 to 2013, I conducted monthly psychodrama groups in the San Francisco Bay area of the USA for attorneys initially introduced to psychodrama through Jerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College. These sessions generally included a morning session devoted to personal work and an afternoon session focused on using action structures I created to support practice on a range of trial skills. One example was an exercise I developed to help the participants view a particular aspect of the trial, e.g. cross examination, from multiple perspectives (the client, the witness, opposing counsel, the judge, the members of the jury.)
From 2011 to 2012, I also served as consultant to the Trial Skills Practice Program of the San Francisco Office of the Public Defender. I believe my greatest contribution to their program was sharing with them how to view their practice through the eyes of specific members of the jury, instead of just from an attorney’s perspective. When time was given to get into the role of a juror, the kind and quality of feedback given to their colleagues changed dramatically.
In 2014 I conducted a special team-building workshop as part of a staff retreat for members of the Marin County (California, USA) Office of the Public Defender.
Trial Preparation with Clients:
I have also worked with several attorneys in preparing clients, especially those who had undergone traumatic accidents, for testimony at trial.
I offer free consultation (in person when available or by SKYPE) to discuss whether or not and how my experience would serve the needs of a specific attorney or collection of lawyers.
Testimonial
You brought a fresh and creative approach to using psychodrama in the legal arena. I found that you helped created a safe and welcoming environment where we could explore/discover / work on personal issues as well as the emotional core of our cases using psychodrama techniques. You also helped us take things much further by working with us on courtroom/ trial skills, communications, improvisation, etc.
The group was a place to experiment and try things out in a safe, non-judgmental setting. I value the opportunity for personal growth & exploration as well as the development of professional skills that I experienced in the group. I also appreciate your guidance and mentoring.
Thank you for your help.
David B. Walker