From Scripted Silence to Skilled Advocate: Overcoming Barriers to Oral Advocacy

Christopher Frost and Chanell Botshekan of FROST LLP examine the habits and structural pressures that quietly undermine oral advocacy development. These habits include script dependence, risk-averse staffing decisions, and the shrinking frequency of low-stakes argument opportunities. From the associate's perspective, we examine the pitfalls developing attorneys commonly fall into. From the senior attorney’s perspective, we offer concrete strategies for building confidence at the podium and finding the right balance between preparation and spontaneity. Whether you are a developing attorney or a supervising attorney invested in training your developing associates, this program offers a practical roadmap for finding confidence in one’s oral advocacy skills.