[blindLaw] Requesting feedback on experience from blind trial attorneys

[sbg sbgaal.com]

I am blind and I have done some trial work.  Most trial attorneys don't go to trial by themselves whether they are blind or sighted.  I would say for a blind attorney, never go to trial without a sighted 2nd chair.  There are too many visual cues  necessary to a successful voir dire as well as those visual cues given by the jury, judge and the witnesses.  However, a blind attorney will pick up on things missed by our sighted colleagues which are audio cues.  E.G. listening to the words stated more carefully as well as other audio cues like changes perhaps in tone, nervous ticks like tapping etc.  I have a guide dog and I also believe that juries in general love the guide dog and that is a good thing!

Thanks!

Shannon Brady Geihsler

Law Office of Shannon Brady Geihsler, PLLC
1212 Texas Avenue
Lubbock, Texas 79401
Office:  (806) 763-3999
Mobile:  (806) 781-9296
Fax:  (806) 749-3752
E-Mail:  sbg at sbgaal.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Nikki Singh via BlindLaw
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2024 11:02 AM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Nikki Singh <nikki.singh at aya.yale.edu>; ab6085a at american.edu
Subject: [blindLaw] Requesting feedback on experience from blind trial attorneys

Hi All!

I have a modest call for experiences, thoughts, and anecdotes. A law student at American, Amanda Bailey, copied here, is writing a paper for school that considers blindness in the law. One of the aspects she wants to learn more about is the actual experience direct from blind and visually impaired trial attorneys: how do you command a courtroom, engage with a jury (like during a closing argument), evaluate visual evidence (like photos), assess the credibility or demeanor of a witness (on the stand or during a deposition)? Amanda would like to talk to people beyond the two blind attorneys she already knows in person, so I am requesting that if you have trial advocacy experience, please consider dropping her a quick note at ab6085a at american.edu or setting up time for an interview or short call--whatever works with your schedule. Note that the paper is due August 10, so contact by next week would be appreciated, but Amanda can be flexible!

This is a great topic that has not received much treatment in the academic space. The research would really benefit from the perspective of actual blind trial attorneys. Plus, Amanda is super nice and fun, so the interview should be a good time. If you have any material that you want to share or if you have any questions, please get in touch! Many thanks!

Sincerely,
Nikki
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