I represent ordinary people, and I have most of my career. We're usually fighting for the underdog and the underprivileged. When I was growing up in Newark, I heard exciting stories about the courtroom. I knew then that that was what I wanted to do. Now, when I walk into a courtroom I feel it is a great privilege - ours is the greatest system of justice in the world.

In the courtroom, my style is to be sincere and direct. Humility is not just important; it's essential. Someone once said this about me: I'm 'aggressively shy.' Juries get turned off by loud suits and jewelry.

For me, success in the courtroom is a function of two things: Always keep your adrenaline in high gear. And second, presentation skills have to be in finely tuned. I tell every client, before we enter court or go the posh offices of a corporate defense attorney, that they should never feel intimidated.

The jury pool is certainly different today. Many things have happened in recent years to impact attitudes - 9/11, the weak economy, so many people certainly may be less sympathetic to what they hear.

When we select a jury I look potential jurors in the eye; I look at every detail, even their shoes. Will they be empathetic? Will they relate to my client's experience? It's an important part of the process.

Many, many cases are referred to us, but the fact is 95% of the cases that we review we will not take on. We'll analyze the facts of the case and assess whether there is a case at all. If I feel there is a case, I will fully prepare it, bringing in as many experts as needed, especially in medical malpractice cases.

Economics isn't the lone factor in deciding to take a case -- I take cases when I think it is simply the right thing to do.