Solicitors have many opportunities for public speaking, whether it be advocacy in the court room, presenting a commercial law seminar or simply promoting the firm at a local networking event. Whatever the occasion, you need to make it count.

Be prepared!

Good preparation is the key! If you have prepared well, you will be relaxed and confident and your audience will have confidence in you. Practise your presentation in advance. Read through it several times, making corrections as necessary. Or record your speech beforehand to hear how it sounds.

Structure and signposts

Like any journey, people like to know where they are going. When you prepare your speech, make it clearly structured. You may have three or four main points that you want to make. Arrange your material around those main points. Don’t be afraid to use signpost words like ‘firstly . . . secondly etc’ or ‘I will now give you three reasons why . . .’ Have an arresting introduction, a structured body and a persuasive conclusion.

Present your speech – don’t read it!

Reading a speech has been described as ‘advocacy suicide’! Solicitors may have the most persuasive arguments but if they can’t put them across in a way that is engaging, the listeners will switch off! Make note of the main points and then talk about them! You don’t use detailed verbatim notes when you talk to your friends or family – so why use them when you do a speech?

Speak slowly

Speaking too fast is probably the most common mistake that solicitors make when they deliver a speech. It is often due to nerves or sometimes we are afraid of boring our listeners! Slow down and be confident that people are listening. I used to write reminders on my notes, such as ‘Slow down’ or ‘People are listening’. Sometimes, what sounds too slow to the speaker is just the right speed for the listeners.

Project your voice

Don’t mumble. But don’t shout either. You need to project your voice in such a way that you can be heard by the person who is furthest away.

Appropriate use of humour and story telling

Everyone likes to be amused and humour is an excellent way of maintaining your audience’s attention. I am often amazed how a story can capture the attention of an audience. Even in the court room, there is a place for being light-hearted. Be careful though and make sure that it does not detract from your message.

Good eye contact

It can feel uncomfortable to look your audience in the eye when you speak but without good eye contact, you may come across as untrustworthy. Look at a variety of encouraging faces in the audience in different places around the room. If you are addressing a Tribunal, be sure to include the ‘wingers’ as well as the Chairman.

Avoid irritating mannerisms

Many solicitors (and indeed barristers) have irritating mannerisms that only serve to detract from their message. Keep them under control – otherwise listeners will be distracted and irritated! Don’t play with the loose change in your pocket. Don’t rock from side to side. Don’t say ‘um’.

Take every opportunity

When I learnt to drive a car, I read a book on the subject, watched an instructional video and observed other drivers. But it was only when I got behind the wheel myself that I actually learnt to do it! It’s the same with public speaking. Take every opportunity. You will improve with practice.