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Thursday, February 25, 2016
By Michael Nichols
Categories: Michael J. Nichols
(Written in the 1st person in "log" style)
As I sit in the airport in Atlanta with Wendy and Morgan - contemplating a night in a dive of a hotel and getting up early with a 6 year old I have a moment of doubt rivaling Telemachus in the Odyssey. I'm ready to turn around and head back to Michigan for the romance of a snow storm and helping our staff get through some tough sledding for a couple of days. Here we are stranded thanks to weather that delayed our outbound Detroit flight causing us to miss our connector in Atlanta, one of delta's major hubs.
Then I think about the fact that already this year I've averaged more than a trial a month having heard 3 not guilty verdicts to 2 guilty verdicts and resolved a now-notorious case representing an off duty Michigan State Police Trooper, achieving a non abstracted non DUI plea bargain to the chagrin of prosecutors. I think about the fact that I've taught other lawyers at continuing legal education events now over 3 weekends this year already including Arizona and Lansing. I attended a conference near Traverse City as a member of the state bar criminal law section and discussed improving our practice of law in Michigan with other lawyers; discussed case facts with lawyers, one of whom was trying to figure out how to challenge an MSP lab report alleging a small amount of alleged marijuana in his client's blood.
I achieved 2 dismissals this week alone - 1 of which was a felony and 1 which allows a commercial driver license holder to get his life back.
Key West will make the 5th presentation I've given in 2016. I realize that the results I've already experienced this year and the time I've spent carting Wendy and Morgan around the country and state go hand-in-hand. I have to constantly think about my practice, the science, the substantive law and the strategy. I will be in Onio for the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers annual Dui defense Conference. I'll be speaking among other things on breath test voir dire (jury selection).
By teaching I learn. I have to prepare my presentations and think about not only my subject matter but my communication to others in an understandable and accessible way. This is a practice I developed during my 10 years in broadcast journalism: break it down. Make it easy to understand, make the audience want more. This is key for judges AND juries to side with me. So, we schlep to a hotel near Hartsfield International Airport, get a good night sleep, set the alarm for 5:30am and make ready to slog on for another presentation - it is one of the big ways that we distinguish ourselves as leaders, those who are committed to excellence and committed to results.