My finely honed legal philosophy

Shutting up is always an option, and it's usually the best one.

Next year will mark 25 years since I was called to the bar, and over that quarter-century, I’ve learned a few things.

My practice has taken me through several different areas of law - personal injury, corporate litigation, criminal defence, family law, child-protection cases - and while every case is different, there is one piece of advice I find myself doling out time and time again, regardless of circumstance:

There are many ways to ruin your case, but there is no greater act of legal self-sabotage than saying too much. If you’re arrested, even if you’re 100% in the right, don’t say anything to the police. If you’re on the stand in a trial, answer only the question put to you and don’t volunteer anything else.

And, for God’s sake, when the judge has made a ruling in your favor and is just about to adjourn, don’t pipe up and say “I have a question.” For a lawyer, even the birthday party scene from Signs isn’t as terrifying as the moment you’re just about home free and then your clien…