CLE
Michael DeBlis
Michael DeBlis DeBlis Law
Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt Harnessing Psychology to Win at Trial
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Premieres May 20, 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
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Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt: Harnessing Psychology to Win at Trial

This presentation begins by addressing the “villain” stereotype that is hoisted on a criminal defendant from the moment the jury enters a courtroom and what we can do to blunt it. We are all familiar with catch phrases like, “To really know what another person is going through, you need to walk a day in their shoes.” Truer words have never been spoken and this saying is a fundamental tenet for being a zealous trial lawyer. But practically speaking, empathy can be hard, especially when the person you’re defending is accused of doing bad things.

We’ll explore this topic from a different perspective that may forever change the way you view your clients. We’ll also explore some exercises that will help you to expand your capacity for human connection so that you can relate more to your clients.

We will then move into psychology where I will introduce you to Carl Jung and how his teachings have been used by Hollywood producers for generations to tell some of the most mesmerizing stories in cinematic history. I’ll dissect it, provide you with examples, and then show you how this same framework can be applied in the courtroom when you stand up to tell your client’s story.

Topics covered include:
Criminal Law Law Practice Trial Skills
Agenda:
  • Overview and Framing
    • Core thesis: Trial advocacy = human psychology + storytelling
    • Why understanding human nature is a competitive advantage

  • The Advocate as Performer (Without the Pressure)
    • The “performance” trap vs. authentic presence
    • Reframing: “taking a pass” instead of chasing perfection
    • Eliminating toxic self-talk (“Head noise”)
    • Practical takeaway
      • Language shifts that reduce anxiety in trial prep

  • Fear as Fuel in the Courtroom
    • Fear as a universal human condition (Macbeth example)
    • Reframing fear:
      • Not an enemy → a source of energy
    • “Fear is excitement without breath”
    • The Gerry Spence “Confession of Fear” concept
    • Practical application:
      • Using vulnerability to build credibility with jurors
      • Turning fear into presence, clarity, and persuasion

  • From “Villain” to Human Being
    • The jury’s default: your client = villain
    • Why that framing is psychologically powerful — and dangerous
    • Lessons from Shakespeare and modern anti-heroes
    • Key concept:
      • “People do bad things when they feel justified”
    • Practical application:
      • How to reframe blame into understanding
      • Avoiding one-dimensional character portrayals

  • Radical Empathy: “Crawling Inside the Client”
    • Gerry Spence’s principle: “crawl inside the hide of the client”
    • “Walk a mile in his shoes” as a trial skill — not a cliché
    • The hidden story vs. the “bare facts”
    • The “iceberg” metaphor of human behavior
    • Practical techniques:
      • Client interviews that uncover narrative gold
      • Identifying formative life events
      • Turning biography into persuasion

  • Jungian Psychology & The Shadow Self
    • Introduction to Carl Jung’s shadow
    • The dual self:
      • Conscious identity vs. suppressed impulses
    • Projection and misjudgment in jurors
    • Why understanding your own shadow matters
    • Practical application:
      • Recognizing triggers in yourself and others
      • Using shadow awareness to deepen storytelling
      • Building authentic courtroom presence

  • The Hero’s Journey as Trial Structure
    • Transition to Joseph Campbell framework
    • Mapping trial narrative to:
      • Ordinary World
      • Call to Adventure
      • Crisis / Shadow Emergence
      • Transformation
    • Key insight:
      • Jurors instinctively understand story structure
    • Practical takeaway:
      • Organizing openings and closings as narrative arcs

  • Case Application & Closing Takeaways
    • Brief walkthrough of Daniel Rivera mock case
      • Reframing conduct through psychology
      • Making behavior understandable (not excusable)
    • Final principles:
      • Caring is the foundation of persuasion
      • Self-awareness = advocacy power
      • Story > facts alone

  • Questions & Answers (As Time Permits)
Read More ›
Duration of this webinar: 90 minutes
When: Premieres in 25 days | May 20, 2026 10:00 AM PT
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Speaker
Michael DeBlis
Michael DeBlis Partner
DeBlis Law

Michael is a trial lawyer. He graduated Cum Laude from The Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Summa Cum Laude from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law with his Masters of Law in Taxation. Michael is known for his charismatic personality and his unyielding dedication to his clients. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

Missouri CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.80 General

Nevada CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.80 General

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.50 General

West Virginia CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.80 General


This presentation is approved for one and a half hours of General CLE credit in Alaska, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in California, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Missouri, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in Nevada, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in North Carolina, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in Ohio, one and a half hours of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one and a half hours of General CLE credit in Vermont, and one hour of General CLE credit in West Virginia. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.80 hours of total CLE credit. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.50 credit hours.

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