Judges Want Younger Lawyers In The Courtroom

A growing number of judges are asking to see less senior attorneys representing matters in their courtrooms. Many see the shrinking number of cases that actually make it to court, and recognize that makes it difficult for anyone beyond veteran attorneys to get trial experience. Some law firms are seeing the benefit of sending out newer lawyers as well. “People become trial lawyers because they want to be in court – not sit at desks,” said Kathi Vidal, principal at Fish & Richardson in San Jose. That includes Susman Godfrey, a boutique litigation firm that sent a fourth year to argue a case against Apple recently. She won. “If we just gave it to an old, crusty white dude, what good does that do for the institution?” a partner at Susman Godfrey told the Wall Street Journal. Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Gregg Costa said, “If only the veteran lawyers of tomorrow get trial experience, there will be even fewer trials in the future.”