39 Trial Lawyer • Spring 2022 rather than singing is your thing, rest assured screaming has also been shown to have therapeutic benefits). Singing also helps foster a deep social connection quicker than other types of social interaction. A 2015 study by The Royal Society of London found that members of newly formed singing groups felt closer to each other after just a month of practice than members of newly formed groups with other creative goals such as crafting or writing. The authors of the study call this the “ice-breaker” effect, in that singing promotes fast camaraderie between unfamiliar individuals. This phenomenon has certainly been borne out in my own experience of feeling quickly bonded to people with whom I’ve sang karaoke. One more important point about the benefits of karaoke that I do not want to get lost in the mix: it’s funny. Really funny. Singing alone is simply just not as fun, or as funny, as singing with and in front of other people. Needless to say, smiling and laughing is also good for you. Overcoming fear Famous trial attorneys have said in one way or another that doing jury trials requires us to make ourselves vulnerable to the jury and to stop worrying about things like being perceived as incompetent, dwelling on real or perceived flaws with our physical appearance, looking weak, blushing, you name it. Rick Friedman says in “Becoming a Trial Attorney” that “an odd kind of courage is required: willingness to work hard and fail, willingness to look foolish, willingness to expose yourself and risk rejection, and finally, willingness to look deep into your own soul.” I would suggest doing karaoke is a great way to hasten the “getting over yourself ” process — a sort of public speaking exposure therapy. After all, most of us are nervous about speaking in public, much less singing in public. Performing karaoke helps us confront our worst fears, look them in the eye and move on from them, knowing we lived to tell the tale. If you can ham it up singing in front of people, my guess is you will ultimately have an easier time getting in front of a jury and fighting for something you believe in. My experience There are plenty of people in our profession who love commanding the attention of a room, be it telling a funny story to a captive audience or presenting a closing argument. Then there’s me, and I’m sure many others among us, who don’t crave the limelight and prefer socializing in small groups. It took me until my early 30s to try karaoke, and some years later to become obsessed with it. The fun, stress-relief and camaraderie of karaoke is what keeps me coming back, but I have also found it has made me a better lawyer. Although I’m in my 15th year of law practice, I still get nervous nearly every time I’m in front of a judge or jury, no matter how much I’ve prepared. Prior to doing karaoke regularly, my breathing would become unregulated in court, often leading me to forget to breath and then make up for it with one big noticeable breath. Since doing karaoke, and practicing karaoke at See Karaoke 40 home on a regular basis, I’ve pretty much stopped having this problem. My breath seems to know what to do without me even thinking about it, and my speaking voice feels stronger and clearer too. And, I have an efficient way to embarrass my children. Win-win. Karaoke has also increased my selfconfidence by showing me I can do something I never thought I could or should be able to do. Like many people, I had assumed that singing in front of other people was only for gifted vocalists. Not the rest of us. This flawed mentality parallels what I grapple with as a trial attorney — that I’m somehow in the wrong profession because I am not a naturally confident orator. In both endeavors, I try to remember there is a way to be successful and authentic in my own way, even if that doesn’t look like its most famous or successful proponents. Getting started I hope you are convinced karaoke is for you. If so, here are some tips to get started. Find the right setting. Again, you need not start your karaoke journey at an intimidating public venue that draws primo singers, nor do I recommend it. Long enjoys karaoke with her daughters, Rosemary (l) and Alice.
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