Nothing but the Truth

A novel and engaging analysis of the role of storytelling in trial advocacy—“This excellent set of essays . . . offers a rare bridge between the parallel universes of legal scholarship and courtroom practice. There is no better guide to the enterprise of storytelling in the law than Steve Lubet” (Marianne Wesson, Professor of Law, University of Chicago).

The best lawyers are storytellers, Steven Lubet says, who take the raw, disjointed observations of witnesses and transform them into coherent, persuasive narratives. Elaborating the stories of both real and fictional cases, including John Brown and Wyatt Earp, Atticus Finch and Liberty Valance, he demonstrates that the craft of storytelling helps to establish a “theory of the case.” Storytelling puts forth a plausible explanation of the underlying events presented in the light most favorable to the attorney’s client and also develops the “trial theme,” the lawyer’s way of adding moral force to the desired outcome. Yet, Lubet points out, storytelling may be misused. Every story must ultimately be based on “nothing but the truth.”

“Lubet has managed to spin an engaging tale that includes a Pope, gunslingers, and lawyers. . . . This book will serve those who already practice the law, plan to do so, watch Court TV, or like a story well told.” —Christopher Harper, Roy H. Park Distinguished Chair, School of Communications, Ithaca College