Running Improves Trial Attorney Skills
Running improves trial attorney skills by managing stress and bringing clarity.
According to Daniel O’Toole, a trial attorney, running has improved his skills in the courtroom by helping him manage stress and bringing clarity and creativity to his work. He started running on his 40th birthday, after realizing he needed to focus on his physical and mental health.
O’Toole’s journey into running began when his wife went for a run in Ireland, and he joined her for a 3-mile run. This experience led him to announce that he would run a marathon, which he completed four months later.
Running has become a form of therapy for O’Toole, helping him manage work- and life-related stress, stabilize his moods, and bring clarity to problems he couldn’t solve while sitting at his desk. He has found that running helps him cope with the challenges of his 40s and 50s, including marriage, parenthood, and caring for aging parents.
The Parallels Between Marathon Preparation and Trial Preparation
O’Toole believes that the structured plan and hard work required for marathon training are similar to those needed for trial preparation. He notes that having a detailed plan and timeline helps to calm nerves and make the task less overwhelming.
Just as marathon training requires putting in the miles and time, trial preparation requires a similar commitment. O’Toole finds that writing down what is causing him stress and talking it out helps, but ultimately, it is the work that provides the solution.
O’Toole’s approach to trial preparation involves writing out every word of his trials in advance, rehearsing his opening statements and summations, and customizing his jury selection questions for each trial. He also embeds every piece of evidence into his direct and cross-examinations, allowing him to visualize every moment of the trial before it takes place.
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Putting in the Miles: Practice Leaves Nothing to Chance
O’Toole applies the same principle of practice and preparation to his marathons, repeatedly running challenging parts of the course and traveling to the city where the race will take place to familiarize himself with the terrain. He believes that this approach helps him feel more comfortable and confident during the race.
Similarly, in his trials, O’Toole uses motions in limine to plan for the best evidentiary universe and eliminate things that should not come into evidence. He finds that thinking about the case and the issues that will come up well in advance helps him prepare for a fair and safer trial for his clients.
O’Toole is currently training for the United States Marine Corps marathon, which will take place on October 25 in Arlington, Virginia. This marathon holds special significance for him, as his father was a Marine and his son and daughter-in-law are both active-duty Marines.
As he trains for the marathon, O’Toole finds that comparing his physical suffering to the suffering of others in the world helps him put things into perspective. He believes that this mindset also applies to his trials, where he is aware of the dignity and self-esteem that comes with a solid day’s work and helping someone else.
O’Toole is grateful for the gift of running and the gift of having a job that allows him to help other people.
One of the key benefits of running for O’Toole is the ability to clear his mind and focus on the task at hand. He finds that running helps him to prioritize his work and make the most of his time, which is essential for a trial attorney.
