Confident Presenting for Lawyers

Understanding the theory behind effective communication and pairing it with practical application is critical for legal professionals. Jody Tranter, Head of Learning & Product at BARBRI, highlights the importance of presenting with confidence and shares insights on how lawyers can build this vital skill. 

For many lawyers, presenting can feel daunting. Whether pitching to a client, leading a team meeting or presenting in court - the pressure to deliver can be overwhelming. Even experienced professionals often feel nervous about speaking in front of others, myself included. 

But rest assured, confidence in presenting isn’t something most of us are born with - it’s a skill you can develop and refine over time. With the right preparation and practice, communicating clearly and with impact becomes a lot easier. At BARBRI, we’ve worked with countless legal professionals to help them build confidence in their presenting skills by developing strategies to manage nerves and connect with their audience, no matter the setting. 

Confidence in presenting isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ skill for lawyers - it’s an essential part of building trust and credibility. A strong presentation can inspire confidence in your expertise, strengthen relationships, ensure your message is heard and inspire action. Clients expect clear, engaging communication that reassures them their legal matters are in the right hands. 

Building Confidence in Presenting 

Here are three practical tips lawyers can use to build confidence in their presentations: 

1. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare 

   Confidence starts before you even step in front of your audience - take time to plan ahead and structure your presentation around a clear message and get your facts straight. Preparing well in advance will help to ease your mind, and steady your nerves, by taking action and putting your focus into the job at hand. What do you want your audience to take away? Rehearsing aloud, whether in front of a trusted colleague, or simply in front of a mirror can also help you find a natural flow and feel more comfortable with your material. The more familiar you are with your content - the more confident you’ll feel. 

2. Focus on Your Audience, Not Yourself 

   It’s easy to fall into the trap of worrying about how you’re coming across - instead, shift your mindset to your audience. What do they need? What questions might they have? What message do you want them to take away from your presentation? Focusing on bringing clarity and delivering value to your listeners can help take the pressure off and make your presentation more engaging. 

3. Turn Nerves into Energy 

   Feeling nervous is natural - and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Nerves show that you care about what you’re doing, so instead of fighting them, focus on grounding techniques like taking three to four deep breaths and use that nervous energy to fuel your success. 

These tips are just the beginning - building confidence in presenting is a skill that improves with time, effort and the right support. 

Why Confidence Matters 

Confidence is about more than appearing calm and composed - for lawyers, it’s about inspiring trust. Whether pitching to a client or explaining a complex legal strategy, your ability to present with confidence can have a direct impact on how your message is received. 

In today’s legal profession, presenting is no longer optional. Lawyers are expected to communicate clearly and persuasively, whether in the courtroom, the boardroom or the office - both in person, or on screen. A lawyer who can manage their nerves and engage their audience will stand out, not just for their expertise, but for their ability to connect with others. 

A Masterclass in Confidence 

For lawyers who want to take their presentation skills to the next level, our Presentation Skills Masterclass is coming up soon and is an ideal next step. This interactive session focuses on helping participants structure presentations effectively, manage nerves and deliver their message with clarity and impact. 

The session provides a safe, supportive environment to practise and refine your skills, led by experienced professionals who understand the unique challenges lawyers face and offers constructive feedback tailored to your needs. 

For more practical tips on improving your presentation skills, check out our blog, 5 Presentation Skills Every Lawyer Needs, it's packed with useful advice to help you further develop your abilities. 

Presenting with confidence isn’t about eliminating nerves - it’s about managing them and focusing on delivering value to your audience. If you're ready to take your skills to the next level, consider joining our next Presentation Skills Masterclass.  

For more details and to register, visit Legal Life Skills - Communication & Negotiation Skills Courses. Or to explore our full range of Legal Life Skills Courses, including topics like time management, leadership and client relationship building, download our free Legal Life Skills Brochure.