Page 66 of Dissection of a Murder
Davina executes a dramatic, audible sigh.
“Well, you’ve gone and dropped a bomb on this case now. I hope you’re ready for the explosion when it comes.”
—
When I arrive back at chambers, I remember I agreed to do an interview piece with Serene Kirkbride, an influencer who showcases women in business. She has a huge following on Instagram and has asked tomeet for a drink to discuss my journey to the Bar. I could really do without it, but she talked me into it by saying I would be the “prime Christmas guest.” It was a coveted spot with her, so I couldn’t say no.
I meet her at the Pacific Hotel bar in the city center. She’s drinking a glass of prosecco when I arrive, wearing a tasteful Christmas sweater that makes her look Scandinavian, but I’m sure she’s from Wallasey or somewhere like that. Serene greets me with a double air-kiss and enormous smile. Some people don’t look the same as their social media persona, but she does. Exquisite silver hair swishes around her perfectly made-up face, giving her the appearance of a mythical fairy. After I decline a glass of “fizz” on the basis I have work to do after, we settle down to chat.
“I’ve been so excited to meet you, Leila! I’ve followed your blog for some time. You’re an intriguing character!”
“Am I?” I ask, puzzled.
“Yes! Beautiful, smart, sexy career…”
“I wouldn’t call it sexy. I practically live in a seventeenth-century wig and robes.”
“It’s glamorous, though. Surrounded by drama.”
And blood. And violence. And death.
“Yes, well, it’s very hard work.”
“Oh, of course!” she says. “Tell me, Leila, why do you think you have such a high success rate? You’re in the Legal 500 as someone who ‘Executes intuitive style and is an exceptional jury advocate. Approaches cases with a forensic eye and has a very clever way of interpreting evidence. Future bright star and KC in the making.’ What’s your secret?”
Just hearing that quote again makes my skin prickle. I should be beaming with pride, but knowing it was gained through a back door makes it feel meaningless. Even my own husband doesn’t believe in me.
“Honestly, people are fascinated with human psychology, and how we make split-second choices during volatile moments,” I tell her.
She pauses in silence for a second, her pen frozen in anticipation above the pad she’s writing on.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” I shrug. “When you defend a trial, you usually start off with twelve people against your client. Guilty until proven innocent. No smoke without fire. The minute they walk into the courtroom, the second they look at the defendant and hear the charge laid out against them, they’ve already decided if he or she is guilty. So, you have to place doubt in their minds. The way to do that is to dig into the kind of person the defendant is: how did they end up in the dock? You have to make them human.”
“It must be more complicated than that.”
“Of course. You need evidence to back it up. The two go hand in hand. I’ve seen so many advocates preach about the technicalities of how to address a jury. They overcomplicate it,” I tell her, thinking of Julian and how I trusted his methods implicitly before what happened at Jack’s last trial. Until I realized they didn’t always work. “You connect with a jury by observing human behavior and presenting evidence in an easy, digestible way. A lot of it is instinctual.”
She hangs on my every word, as if I’m giving a TED talk.
“Incredible insight, Leila. And so humble. Our young legal followers, especially our women, will be thrilled.”
“Glad to be of some help.”
“Would it be OK if I asked some questions from our followers?”
“Please.” I smile, tapping my phone to see what time it is.
“Great. Kayla, a criminal pupil in London, has asked, ‘What’s your top tip for preparing a defense trial?’ ”
“I’m giving away all my secrets here!” I laugh. “The first thing Ido is prepare as if I’m prosecuting. That way, I spot all the holes in the defense case I need to close. Simple but invaluable.”
“Clever!”
I shrug my shoulders and smile. “Hit me with another question.”
“OK, this one is from Liza: ‘Hi Leila. Do you think it’s important for barristers to have a close relationship with their head of chambers, and how important is professional integrity to you?’ ”
