Trial Lawyer Lessons from Oprah's Direct Exam of Meghan and Harry
While other attorneys were taking classes on trial practice, this mommy lawyer learned the art of direct exam from watching the best interviewer in the world. Started watching the Oprah Winfrey Show when Cristina was born in 1986. Finished two children and nine years later when I started working full time again.
Earlier this month, Oprah interviewed Meghan and Harry. She did not disappoint. The session provides a wonderful lesson on Direct Exam.
1. Get your witness comfortable .
Break the ice
Perhaps about something happy or light hearted
2. Be with your witness through mirroring
Meghan: This I heard about.
Oprah: You heard about that. OK.
Meghan: This was . . . that was . . . that was a turning point.
Oprah: That was a turning point?
Meghan: Yeah.
3. Direct questions
What was that like.
What are you most excited about
So are you saying that
How does that work
You’re telling me that is not true
What was going on
I’m so sorry to hear that
How do you feel about
What was the tipping point
Who is having that conversation with you
4. Being Present with the Witness
Wow!
Mm-hmm
Ah!
Ok
What?!
5. Asking questions on behalf of the audience
Explain to us what you mean by that.
So, we all want to know, what would make you cry
6. Moving the answer forward
I mean, that’s the sad irony of the last four years . . . is I’ve advocated for so long for women to use their voice, and then I was silent.
Oprah: Were you silent? Or were you silenced?
Meghan: The latter.
7. Provocative question
Are you saying that
Did you blindside the queen
What you don’t see Oprah doing, is reading a script. She is right there with the witness. Warm. Strong. Soft. Tough. Happy. Sad. Comforting. Totally Human. Watch the interview here: Oprah Interview with Meghan and Harry – Watch on CBS
Writing the blog on my kitchen table.