From the moment you walk into a deposition or a courtroom, the environment takes on a different air. Your awesome presence fills the room with confidence and gravitas. You are there to serve the best interest of your client – and it shows. 

Although most have not been privy to how much work behind the scenes has led to this moment, everyone can tell that you’re prepared. 

They can tell because of one thing: your presence. 

Confident appearance? Check. 

Engaging behavior? Check. 

Well-chosen clothes? Check.

The bailiff calls the proceeding to order; the theatrics begin, and you are in it to win it.

Winning is the goal — whether you are a lawyer advocating for your client or an expert witness whose credibility is pivotal to the case. Top professionals know something that many others overlook: how you present yourself can influence outcomes long before the first word is spoken.

It helps them minimize litigation costs, and resolve disputes quickly, successfully and without facing a lengthy trial. 

Courtroom attire and quality presence create gravitas. Without it, even the best trial preparation remains as uninteresting as the courtroom feels. It is all too easy to slip into bland land. 

This is why help is available to protect your efforts when so much else is at stake, both for your client and for you.

You may feel that as long as you show up to court dressed like others do, that’s good enough. But there is a precise formula that helps you exude your strengths through style and achieve respect through quality presence. You can do better than blend in — whether you are an attorney or an expert witness supporting the case.

When you dress the part, feel comfortable, and appear confident, you look like the attorney with the winning argument. You demonstrate that you have done the work by showing up prepared to win.

To ensure that you are fully prepared for trial activities, be sure to include a wardrobe strategy that brings your inner qualities to the surface. A confident look makes an impression that enhances your pre-trial and trial performance.

Gravitas, the outer expression of your personal style, and your personal image come together to form your executive presence. You can achieve this by exuding charisma, incisiveness, composure, confidence, relatability, and credibility.

Knowing your personal style helps you access your strengths and elevate your professional game. And, you will feel better about yourself and the work you do when you are at ease and focus on the people you impact.

Whether you are leading the case as counsel or testifying as an expert, your ability to connect with others through presence strengthens your impact. It’s not just about looking the part — it’s about embodying credibility and confidence when it matters most.

In a win-or-lose situation — as it is in the courtroom — never underestimate the power of your executive presence. Learn how to tap into yours now.

Preparations for depositions, hearings, and trials can be tedious and time-consuming. Yet, there is no room for error with so much at stake. The image you project wields tremendous influence on how well these proceedings go. With the right focus, commanding the right attention at a deposition, hearing, or trial may be all you need to reach a favorable outcome without unnecessary proceedings.

Here is why this is a bigger deal than you may realize:

When how you show up is on-point, onlookers may not notice anything out of the ordinary. This is a very good thing. But, if how you look does not sync with what you say and how you say it, this is not good.

The right clothing styles and colors make your case in proceedings more compelling. Most people underestimate the power of image. This is what leads to a host of unnecessary issues, like people doubting or not believing what they hear. Why take chances creating cognitive dissonance among the jurors, judge, and others in the courtroom audience?

Personalize your role in life and in your career as you learn about your color DNA and how color psychology can enrich your strengths. Both are tools that will benefit you in the courtroom and in the future.