As a trial lawyer in front of a jury and an author of true-crime books, credibility has always meant everything to me. My only master and my only mistress are the facts and objectivity. I have no others.

I view myself primarily as a trial lawyer who happens to be writing, as opposed to a writer who happens to be a trial lawyer, so the audience is like a jury to me.

As a trial lawyer, intelligence is important only in the sense that it allows you to play the game, if you will. Without it, you don't even have a ticket into the competitive arena. But beyond that, it doesn't get you very far at all.

I'm an old trial lawyer.

I was a trial lawyer when I was elected to Congress.

With trial lawyers, rapport with the jury is very important. An out-of-state lawyer may find it more difficult to connect with a jury, but it's all about preparation.