Blog Series: Trial By Nature

David Attenborough’s voice is more distinguishable than his name or appearance. Writer and narrator of wildlife documentaries such as Blue Planet and Planet Earth, Attenborough is considered the “father of the modern nature documentary.” Attenborough films display and explain the natural behavior patterns of the animal kingdom. Snow leopards, killer whales and exotic birds are captured in dramatic, high definition video. Breathtaking scenes are interposed with Attenborough’s buttery-sage British commentary on the uniquity of each species and its habitat. The prosaic message is larger than life. A careful listener unravels a complex and vibrant undertone teaming with universal application. Existentially, you realize “survival of the fittest” does not only apply in the wild. After all, humans are animals too. The courtroom is simply another iteration of habitat. The laws of Mother Nature supersede the laws of man. Mother Nature doesn’t care if you are on the African plain or Courtroom #6150.

Smart trial lawyers are well-versed in the laws of man. Brilliancy in the courtroom demands appreciation of the laws of man and the rules of Mother Nature. Over the years, I’ve collected a few examples of Mother Nature’s lessons worthy of courtroom consideration. These lessons in the form of tips will be posted regularly in a series entitled, “Trial by Nature: Tips to Survival in the Courtroom”.