ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I have always believed that the most fascinating part of the law is to be found
in the skills and techniques that constitute the art of lawyering. My work,
writing, and teaching emphasize that the practice of law means paying
attention to the human component of the case. Our victories come from
understanding the power of persuasion, the ability to shape credible realities,
and a dedication to the ethical practice of law. By adding a bit of humor and a
cast of characters, I hope to highlight that the topics presented are drawn from
experiences we have every day in court, office, and in life. Each column is
drawn from some lawyer, somewhere, some colleague's war story, or some
strategy that has proven itself to be valid and reliable over time. Some forty
columns later, it appeared worthwhile to bring the pieces together and offer
them to you in an organized and structural fashion.
AGRADECIMIENTOS
Siempre he credo que la parte ms fascinante de la ley se encuentra en las
habilidades y tcnicas que constituyen el arte de la abogaca. Mi trabajo, la
escritura y la enseanza hacen hincapi en que la prctica de la ley significa
prestar atencin al componente humano del caso. Nuestras victorias vienen de
entender el poder de la persuasin, la capacidad de dar forma a las realidades
crebles, y una dedicacin a la prctica tica de la ley. Mediante la adicin de
un poco de humor y un elenco de personajes, espero que se destaque que los
temas presentados se han extrado de las experiencias que tenemos todos los
das en la corte, en la oficina, y en la vida. Cada columna se extrae de algn
abogado, en algn lugar, la historia de la guerra de algn colega, o alguna
estrategia que ha demostrado ser vlido y fiable en el tiempo. Unas cuarenta
columnas ms tarde, pareca que vale la pena traer las piezas juntas y
ofrecerlos a usted de una manera organizada y estructural.
From the fictitious law firm of Mertz, Maude, and Matthews to the cast of
lawyers who enter its doors, I pay tribute to the lawyers and special people who
are part of my life... and you know who you are.
A partir de la firma de abogados ficticio de Mertz, Maude, y Matthews al elenco
de abogados que entran en sus puertas, quiero rendir homenaje a los
abogados y personas especiales que forman parte de mi vida ... y s lo que
eres.
The many newspapers and journals that publish my column and the wonderful
reader responses that come from lawyers, judges, and professors throughout
the country would not be a reality without the trust and opportunity for me to
test it all out in the cases for which I am retained as a trial consultant. It is with
great admiration that I extend my warm appreciation to all my clients. Special
mention must be made of those relationships that have transcended the years
and many courts of law...your support has been my motivation to grow. Above
all, thanks to Brian Lozell; Mertz and Matthew Lisnek-Lozell for putting up with
me in all my craziness; Janet Contursi and our dear children, Alexandra Rose

and Zachary Paul; my dear parents, Seymour and Sandy Lisnek, and my
brother Rick and his wife; my sister, Judy Kien Lisnek, and the kids, David
(Peanut), Michael (Pumpkin), Danielle, and Jackie; Ron and Ruth Lozell and the
gang in Florida: Linda Kenney Baden and Dr. Michael Baden for their
extraordinary efforts in writing the foreword for this book; Judge Haskell and
Kay Pitluck; my team: Anne Brody Elovic, Diana Briggs, Zachary Johnston,
Laura Kody, Bob Sandidge, Ronnie Rosenblum, and Richard Anton for immense
support for my seminars and programs; my colleagues at Comcast and CN100
Network: Rebecca Cianci, producers Fred Prigge, Fernando Garron, Rich
Foresman, Aaron Nowakowski, and Virginia Gordon, Nancy Bayless, and Lisa
Aprati and Brenda Arelano; my colleagues at WGN-TV, with special thanks to
anchor Larry Potash, News Director Greg Caputo, Associate News Director
Jennifer Lyons, as well as Sandy Pudar, Jackie Keenan, Mike Wilder, Frava
Burgess, and Maureen Wolf for all their support: my WVON radio team: Melody
Spann Cooper, Jim O'Connell, Charles Twilley, Rey Diaz, and Mr. Michael Peery;
my colleagues at Decision Analysis, the nation's leading jury and trial
consulting firm, with special note to my partner Richard Gabriel; and for
keeping me on the keynote speaking circuit, my speaking agents Brian Palmer,
Don Jenkins, and Susan Masters and the support team at National Speakers
Bureau, the country's number one bureau; friends and colleagues at BarBri Bar
Review, the nation's leading bar review prep course for whom it is my honor
and pleasure to lecture on professional responsibility and constitutional law,
among other topics, Richard and Melanie Conviser, Sherry Beattner, Stephanie
and Charles Goetz, Mike Zavvy Sims, and Betsy Snyder; the gang at National
Student Leadership Conference led by Rick Duffy (and Karen), and to Sandy
Maldonado; dear friends Lady Wendy, Lord Michael, Sir Charles, Crosbie
Marchant, Dr. and Mrs. Dan Ross, Jackie McCauley and Ray Lyle, Cindy
Raymond, David Rittof, Randy and Becky Mathis, Theresa and Parker Ehrhart,
Steve and Marla Cowan, Dottie and Jerry Fugiel-Smith, Richard and Eve Primus,
Al Menotti (and Donut), Tim A. Jones, Marie Grabavoy, Helen Marcelino,
Mommo, and Allen and Leann Almquist; and thanks to the memory of dear
Maude, whom I loved so very much.
Los numerosos peridicos y revistas que publican mi columna y las
maravillosas respuestas de los lectores que vienen de abogados, jueces y
profesores de todo el pas no sera una realidad sin la confianza y la
oportunidad para m para poner a prueba todo en los casos de los cuales soy
retenido como consultor juicio. Es con gran admiracin que extiendo mi ms
sincero agradecimiento a todos mis clientes. mencin especial debe hacerse de
esas relaciones que han trascendido los aos y muchos tribunales de justicia ...
su apoyo ha sido mi motivacin para crecer. Por encima de todo, gracias a
Brian Lozell; Mertz y Matthew Lisnek-Lozell por aguantar conmigo en toda mi
locura; Janet Contursi y nuestros queridos hijos, Alexandra Rose y Zachary Paul;
mis queridos padres, Seymour y Sandy Lisnek, y mi hermano Rick y su esposa;
mi hermana, Judy Kien Lisnek, y los nios, David (cacahuete), Michael
(calabaza), Danielle, y Jackie; Ron y Ruth Lozell y la cuadrilla en la Florida:
Linda Kenney Baden y el Dr. Michael Baden por sus esfuerzos extraordinarios

en escribir el prlogo de este libro; Juez Haskell y Kay Pitluck; mi equipo: Anne
Brody Elovic, Diana Briggs, Zachary Johnston, Laura Kody, Bob Sandidge,
Ronnie Rosenblum, y Richard Anton de apoyo inmenso para mis seminarios y
programas; mis colegas de Comcast y CN100 Red: Rebecca Cianci, productores
Fred Prigge, Fernando Garron, Rich Foresman, Aaron Nowakowski, y Virginia
Gordon, Nancy Bayless, y Lisa Aprati y Brenda Arelano; mis colegas en WGNTV, con un agradecimiento especial para anclar Larry Potash, Director de
Noticias Greg Caputo, Associate Director de Noticias de Jennifer Lyons, as
como de arena Pudar, Jackie Keenan, Mike Wilder, Frava Burgess, y Maureen
Lobo por todo su apoyo: mi WVON equipo de radio: Melody Spann Cooper, Jim
O'Connell, Charles Twilley, Rey Daz, y el Sr. Michael Peery; mis colegas en el
Anlisis de Decisiones, lder de la nacin jurado y consultora juicio firme, con
mencin especial a mi compaero Richard Gabriel; y por mantenerme en la
apertura del circuito de hablar, mis agentes de habla Brian Palmer, Don
Jenkins, y Susan Masters y el equipo de apoyo a la Oficina Nacional de
oradores, el nmero uno del pas Mesa; amigos y colegas en BarBri Bar Review,
opinin curso de preparacin de la barra principal de la nacin para los que
resulta un honor y un placer para dar conferencias sobre la responsabilidad
profesional y derecho constitucional, entre otros temas, Richard y Melanie
Conviser, Sherry Beattner, Stephanie y Charles Goetz, Mike Zavvy Sims, y
Betsy Snyder; la banda en la Conferencia Nacional de Liderazgo de Estudiantes
dirigida por Rick Duffy (y Karen), y Sandy Maldonado; queridos amigos Seora
Wendy, Michael Seor, Sir Charles, Crosbie Marchant, doctor y la seora Dan
Ross, Jackie y Ray McCauley Lyle, Cindy Raymond, David Rittof, Randy y Becky
Mathis, Theresa y Parker Ehrhart, Steve y Marla Cowan, Dottie y Jerry FugielSmith, Richard y Eva Primus, Al Menotti (y buuelo), Tim A. Jones, Marie
Grabavoy, Helen Marcelino, Mommo, y Allen y Leann Almquist; y gracias a la
memoria del querido Maude, quien me gustaba mucho