I’ve been at this 8 years. All family/domestic and child welfare.

How do people manage clients during hearing? I tell all my clients: keep your notes short. I’m listening to opposing counsel’s question, the witness’ answer, potentially watching the court. I don’t have time to read your three sentences, nor do you really have time to write all that at the speed a hearing progresses.

Nevertheless, I either end up with nothing from my client or a novel.

I love the “you didn’t ask the question I had.” Uhh, it took you too long to write and opposing would have objected as very compound anyways.

I understand our clients probably have little to no experience sitting at counsel table, but that doesn’t change the pace of what happens in a courtroom.