How I used Persuasion to craft my masterpiece

Three cases, three wins. How I did it and how you can, too

king kong, talking to a woman, both are smiling, kong is in a suit

“Milwaukee is a shithole”

9 am, July 18, 2024

I was running late to court. I went to the wrong courthouse, left my phone in my car, needed to tell my client he was zooming into the wrong courtroom.

No problem.

Two months ago, I spoke to a prosecutor on the phone. We talked for 30 minutes, about two were about the case.

She used to work in Milwaukee. We talked about the Kia thefts, how kids steal them in Wisconsin, commit crimes in Illinois.

“Milwaukee is a shithole,” she said. I laughed

At the end of the conversation, she agreed to my offer.

Two months later, I was in her courtroom.

“Jen, it’s Eric, Milwaukee is a shithole guy, I’m here on Mr. Smith’s case. I need to run to my car, is that ok?”

“Take your time.”

I SPRINTED to my car, moved my car to the correct parking lot, texted my client, came back to court.

Judge came in, my case was the second one call. Plea done.

There’s a lost art to picking up the phone. People over 35 still have those 5-10 phone numbers memorized from being kids, remember being yelled at (or vice versa) for picking up the phone and disconnecting the dial up internet.

When I need something, I pick up the phone and LISTEN. I listen to the stories, the day to day. I ask how they are, where they are from. I build a connection. I love people, so it’s easy. But I listen, I pull at the threads.

The prosecutor today could have ignored me, had my case called last. Told me my offer was trash. She didn’t. Why? I don’t know, but we know each other now.

Afterwards, I shook her hand, said thanks. Told her if she ever needs anything in my county, please call. She said she would.

You bet I’ll take that call.

1 pm, 7/18/2024. Showtime