On the Jury Trial: Principles and Practices for Effective Advocacy, Second Edition

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Thomas M. Melsheimer Craig Smith

On the Jury Trial

Principles and Practices for Effective Advocacy, Second Edition

Thomas M. Melsheimer, Craig Smith

$89.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

American Bar Association
21 January 2026

Legal skills & practice; Civil procedure, litigation & dispute resolution; Criminal procedure; Law for the lay person

An essential easy-to-read guide for both new and seasoned courtroom lawyers.

Looking for fly-on-the-wall insight into world-class trial preparation and strategy? Here it is.

A behind-the-scenes tour of the inner workings of the judicial process? On the Jury Trial: Principles and Practices for Effective Advocacy, Second Edition has you covered. Its combination of advice, illustration, and commentary is every bit as valuable as it is unique. Topics include voir dire, opening statement, preparing witnesses, cross examination, using exhibits, closing argument, jury research, and more, with excellent examples and ""do's and don'ts"" provided throughout.

Every litigator should have this book on the shelf, no matter the state in which they practice.

By: Thomas M. Melsheimer, Craig Smith
Imprint: American Bar Association
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781639056491
ISBN 10: 1639056491
Pages: 268
Publication Date: 21 January 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Tom Melsheimer has been described by American Lawyer as ""one of the most sought-after trial lawyers in the country"" and as a ""celebrated storyteller"" by another national publication. After more than 35 years of trying civil and criminal cases, he has received numerous honors including Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Texas chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Dallas Bar Association. He is a Fellow in both the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Tom serves as co-chair of Winston & Strawn's global Litigation Department. Justice Craig Smith was elected to the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals in 2020. That position follows 14 years of service as judge of the 192nd District Court in Dallas County, where he was recognized as Trial Judge of the Year by the Dallas chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and was elected president of the Texas Association of District Judges in 2010. Before taking the bench, Justice Smith was an accomplished Texas trial lawyer for more than 25 years.

Reviews for On the Jury Trial: Principles and Practices for Effective Advocacy, Second Edition

“You must have skill and courage to take your case to trial. Melsheimer and Smith help you acquire the skill and that bolsters your sense of courage.” —Mike Tigar, author of Examining Witnesses, Persuasion: The Litigator’s Art, and Sensing Injustice “I am constantly on the lookout for new ‘how-to’ jury trial books. This book is by far the best ‘how-to’ publication that I have encountered in many years.” —Dan Webb, co-executive chairman, Winston & Strawn “Melsheimer and Smith, trial lawyer and judge, have produced a one-of-a-kind, easy-to-read guide that will help any lawyer achieve courtroom mastery.”—Mark Lanier, Lanier Law Firm “Whether it is your first or 100th trial coming up, start by reading this book.”—Abbe Lowell, Lowell & Associates “This is my absolute favorite trial advocacy book. It’s chock-full of insights for every stage of a trial, but it never just tells you what to do—it teaches the why. And then the stories! They’re so much fun for a trial junkie to read, but they also bring the lessons to life.” —Stephen Shackelford, Susman Godfrey.