Addressing the Jury: Achieving Fair Verdicts in Personal Injury Cases, 3rd Edition

"Addressing the Jury is an integral text for new lawyers starting out in personal injury, as well as for seasoned lawyers looking to improve their speaking skills in the courtroom...The text is accessible and easy to read, and concepts are clearly explained, making the reader feel competent in the material, even without previous knowledge of the subject matter. While I’m not a lawyer, I found myself engaged with the content and fascinated by the various ways counsel can connect with the jury to advance their client’s case."

Reviewed by Lorissa Kinna, Reference Librarian
Great Library, Law Society of Ontario

Read the review in the 2026 Canadian Law Library Review 50:3 (page 19-20)

What Others Have Said About Addressing the Jury: Achieving Fair Verdicts in Personal Injury Cases, 2nd Edition

“Roger has produced one of those rare advocacy texts that stand as a shining ‘how to’ example for the young advocate while at the same time providing the veteran jury lawyer with much valuable advice and insight. Addressing the Jury represents an outstanding contribution to the art of advocacy before a jury and is truly the one must read on the subject.” – Geoffrey Adair, Q.C., Toronto, Ontario

“This is a wonderful book. It is a must read for anyone who wants to be a jury lawyer. It will certainly find a prominent place in my advocacy library.” – John A. Olah, Beard Winter LLP, Toronto, Ontario

“In these difficult times, with deserving plaintiff’s and our tort system under attack, we need all the help we can get. This treasure trove of great ideas, from one of Canada’s most respected trial lawyers, is a must read for any American attorney who wants the best for his or her client.” – Gregory S. Cusimano, Cusimano, Keener, Roberts Kimberley & Miles, P.C., Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.

“Every trial attorney, Canadian and American alike, must read this book. Oatley is brilliant and a true pioneer in the art of lawyering. He combines the best of psychology with his own highly evolved skills. Any trial attorney interested in winning should read this book. – David Wenner, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

Addressing the Jury: Achieving Fair Verdicts in Personal Injury Cases, 3rd Edition is the first and only Canadian book dedicated to practice before civil juries. Written by top expert litigators Roger Oatley and Troy Lehman, this practical and easy-to-read book provides extensive guidance on how to apply and benefit from the concepts of courtroom communication and persuasion.

In today’s advocacy world where young lawyers seldom get the opportunity to try cases before a jury, this is an essential read before trying a lawyer’s first case before a jury. This book will also be invaluable to civil and criminal lawyers alike, even in judge alone trials.

Readers will benefit from:

• Tips for improving your communication skills
• Annotated samples of opening statements and closing arguments
• Detailed strategies for presenting some of the most difficult cases jurors hear
• Persuasive jury openings that help capture the jurors hearts and minds before the defence says a word
• Special techniques that produce effective examinations and cross-examinations before juries
• Comprehensive examples that bring well-explained theories to life
• Guidelines on the use of demonstrative evidence

What’s New In This Edition

• New companion audio chapter with real openings and closings delivered by Troy Lehman, with strategies explained by Roger Oatley
• A chapter explaining the effective use of real and demonstrative evidence
• Chapters on examining witnesses in chief, cross-examining witnesses and re-examining witnesses

Who Should Read This Book

• Civil Litigators – Provides a complete guide for effective jury communication and advocacy skills
• Criminal lawyers – The persuasive techniques described are applicable to criminal jury trials
• Law Associations and Libraries – As an authoritative resource
• Law Schools and Students – For use in advocacy courses