Posted by Eugene Volokh:
"Motion to Compel Defense Counsel To Wear Appropriate Shoes":
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_07_05-2009_07_11.shtml#1247257929
From [1]Lowering the Bar, via [2]Cory Doctorow (boingboing):
1. This is an action alleging personal injuries . . . .
2. Trial is set to begin on June 15, 2009.
3. It is well known in the legal community that Michael Robb,
Esquire, wears shoes with holes in the soles when he is in trial.
4. Upon reasonable belief, Plaintiff believes that Mr. Robb wears
these shoes as a ruse to impress the jury and make them believe
that Mr. Robb is humble and simple without sophistication. . . .
* * *
6. Part of this strategy is to present Mr. Robb and his client as
modest individuals who are so frugal that Mr. Robb has to wear
shoes with holes in the soles. Mr. Robb is known to stand at
sidebar with one foot crossed casually beside the other so that the
holes in his shoes are readily apparent to the jury . . . .
7. Then, during argument and throughout the case Mr. Robb throws
out statements like "I'm just a simple lawyer" with the obvious
suggestion that Plaintiff's counsel and the Plaintiff are not as
sincere and down to earth as Mr. Robb.
8. Mr. Robb should be required to wear shoes without holes in the
soles at trial to avoid the unfair prejudice suggested by this
conduct.
See also this [3]Palm Beach Post article.
References
1.
http://www.loweringthebar.net/2009/07/motion-to-compel-defense-counsel-to-wear-appropriate-shoes.html
2. http://www.boingboing.net/2009/07/10/lawyer-asks-judge-to.html
3.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/local_news/epaper/2009/06/27/a1b_bino_0628.html
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