Practicing Law - 6 Tips For Your First Appearance in Court 

You went to law school and clerked for a Judge during the summers. You were offered your dream job at the large firm downtown. You studied for, and passed, the bar exam. You're a practicing lawyer! But now you find yourself standing outside the courtroom, peering through the window at the intimidating figure in the black robe, wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea.

Whether you're a family attorney or a criminal lawyer, practice business law or represent condominium associations, at some point during your legal career the above scenario will present itself. So what do you do? Here are five things that might help:

1) Prepare, prepare, prepare. There is no defense like a good offense. If it is your first time in court, you can never do too much preparation. I don't care if you are there for a scheduling hearing and the opposing party is not going to be present. There is always the chance that the Judge will ask you a question about the case. The situation you most want to avoid as a practicing lawyer is not knowing the answer to that question. That's why you're nervous in the first place. Know your case and know your client.

2) Dress the part. Most likely you will know several days, weeks or even months in advance of your first courtroom appearance. Have your best suit pressed and dry cleaned, so it is available for that day. You want to look and feel your best, for two reasons. First, you will be more confident knowing that you look good. Second, others will see you and know you are a lawyer. They will look up to you, or at least see you as equal, and respect that you are in the courtroom because it is your job.

3) Be polite. Introduce yourself to the Judge's law clerk. Make small talk with the deputy. Not only will this make it more likely that they will want to help you, but it will take your mind off the nerves and make you less apprehensive. You may even get some good tips on when a Judge wants a criminal lawyer to speak, or where the Judge wants the divorce attorney to stand when examining a witness, or whatever else you might want to know.

4) Remember that the Judge is a person too. The Jude is intimidating because he or she is accomplished, respected, and sitting above you in a black robe and with authority. But try to picture the Judge as a friend or colleague, someone that you can have a conversation with. You can rest assured that the Judge has a life outside the courtroom, just like you do. Remembering this simple fact can make a world of difference in your confidence.

5) Don't chew gum. Silence your cell phone. Judges and bailiffs hate both.

6) Enjoy yourself. Remember when your friends all graduated from college and started working for that big company and making what seemed like a ton of cash? You were in the bowels of the law library researching some obscure holding regarding who holds the burden of proof in a pet discrimination case. You wondered why you ever went to law school. This is what you have worked for. You are an attorney!