COMMUNICATING with style, confidence and authority in court is the subject of a seminar for lawyers in Glasgow next week (March 3).
Run by the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow (RFPG) it will focus on acting skills that might be useful for the more experienced courtroom practitioner.
“There is an element of performance required for lawyers in court and this seminar will introduce tried and tested stage skills to help them sound, look and more importantly, feel more confident,” said presentation and communication skills trainer, Bridget McCann.
“In the courtroom lawyers must look and sound the part and be aware of their status, and the positive impact they can make.”
Bridget emphasised that effective speech, delivery, movement and self-assurance can be persuasive factors for a courtroom lawyer.
“As an actor, it is important that the audience is interested and can hear clearly what you are saying,” said Bridget, who is an established theatre and screen actor.
“Equally, a lawyer’s ‘lines’ need to be precise, clear and audible as there’s no room for long-winded or pointless mumbling.
“Of course, even experienced courtroom lawyers can have presentation difficulties, so I hope they can tap into some of the acting tips on the day through the exercises they will be asked to do.
“At the seminar we will be looking at ‘entrances’, ‘being in the moment’, and ‘voice’.”
Bridget has been a trainer for many years, specialising in presentation skills, both corporate and personal clients, working with law firms, advocates, sheriffs and universities. She is a tutor in communication skills at the Faculty of Medicine at Glasgow University.
She recognises that communicating effectively, public speaking, giving presentations or responding at interviews doesn’t come easily for everyone.
“These can be real knee-knocking, sweaty palm events preceded by sleepless-nights,” says Bridget, who trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and has been an actor for over 30 years.
She has many years experience of working in Scotland and England in theatre, radio, television, film and voice-overs. Her screen roles have included roles in ‘Taggart’, ‘High Road’, ‘Rab C Nesbit‘, ‘Plays for Today’, ‘River City’ and ‘Still Game’.
Solicitor, Mhairi Maguire, of MacRoberts LLP who organised the event for the RFPG, said: “Bridget ran a previous seminar for trainee and newly-qualified solicitors and it was a great success.
“As a result we were keen for her to run another one for more experienced Faculty members and we are delighted with the response as more than 30 members have signed up for the session.”
• Places are still available and further information is available at: www.rfpg.org/cpd:booking
www.bridgetmccanntrainer.com
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