Feb. 10, 2026
Losing a big case: How to recover, regroup and recharge
Because trial work brings both victory and loss, lawyers are wise to anticipate the emotional toll of an unfavorable verdict and understand how to endure its aftermath with poise, professionalism and purpose.
Wendy L. Patrick
Wendy is a California lawyer, past chair and advisor of the California State Bar Ethics Committee (Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct), and past chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Legal Ethics Committee. Any opinions expressed here are her own, and do not reflect that of her employer. This article does not constitute legal advice.
Your case was headline news when it was committed, dominating the media
cycle for several days. Now, a year later, after intensive investigation
and pretrial litigation, jury selection sparks a flurry of renewed media
interest, bringing your case back into the spotlight, energizing you and your
team as you head into battle. After a challenging few weeks
...
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