Legal professionals often follow a conventional approach in trial advocacy, progressing through stages of case analysis, direct and cross-examinations, and finally, opening and closing statements. Reuben Guttman from Guttman Buschner advocates for a different method: reverse-engineering cases. According to Guttman, beginning with the end in mind—focusing initially on opening and closing arguments—can streamline case preparation and improve overall strategy. This method encourages attorneys to develop a clearer case narrative and better align their direct and cross-examinations with their ultimate objectives.
For further insights into this approach, details are available in the original article by Reuben Guttman on Law360.