Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
In an era when fewer and fewer cases make it to trial, the art of courtroom advocacy is becoming a rare skill. Yet for experienced trial attorneys Lee Previant and John Noland, founders of NP Law Firm, it remains the heart of their practice. Speaking with Lawyer Monthly, the pair shared what it truly takes to be an effective trial lawyer—from mastering preparation and evidence to telling a client’s story with authenticity.
With decades of combined experience, Previant and Noland have built a reputation for their hands-on approach, fearless courtroom presence, and dedication to mentorship. Here, they reveal the mindset, techniques, and principles that drive their work and inspire a new generation of litigators.
According to Previant and Noland, three elements define an effective trial attorney: preparation, authenticity, and competency.
“Preparation begins at the onset of the case,” they explain. “Even though most cases settle, you must assume every case is going to trial. In fact, the more prepared you are for trial, the more likely the case will settle.”
Every attorney, they say, should build a trial binder—a comprehensive manual containing pleadings, research, evidence, witness lists, voir dire information, and draft arguments. Starting early ensures that when trial day comes, the lawyer can focus entirely on strategy rather than scrambling for documents.
Authenticity is the foundation of persuasion. “Authentic is credible, and credible is believable,” says Noland. “The story must be authentic: don’t make your client something they’re not.”
Jurors connect to genuine stories, not sales pitches. Overly dramatic language or embellished testimony can undermine credibility. “If a jury thinks a witness or attorney is overreaching, they won’t believe the story,” adds Previant. “You must be yourself.”
Knowing the rules of evidence is critical to success at trial. “You must be able to get evidence in and keep evidence out,” says Previant. During discovery, attorneys should constantly ask: Do I need this evidence? Can I get it admitted?
A trial lawyer’s understanding of admissibility often determines the strength of their case. “If an attorney doesn’t know the rules, they’ll miss key objections,” Noland warns.
Insurance carriers know which firms take cases to trial—and which ones don’t. That distinction has a direct impact on settlement value.
“Firms that never go to trial often receive lower settlement offers,” explains Previant. “Carriers know who will make them spend money to defend a case.”
Conversely, when an insurer knows that an attorney is willing to take a case to verdict, they must account for the risk of a high jury award—often leading to higher settlement offers. “Trial readiness improves negotiation leverage,” Noland says.
Discovery reveals more than just facts—it exposes a lawyer’s mindset. “An experienced attorney structures discovery with trial in mind,” Previant notes. “They ask for information that matters to a jury, not irrelevant fishing expeditions.”
Even depositions, Noland adds, should be strategic. “Don’t impeach a witness unless you don’t expect them to appear at trial. The power of impeachment lies in surprise.”
Focus groups are a powerful tool for trial preparation. “They highlight issues you didn’t think were important but that could distract a jury,” Noland explains.
These mock trials allow attorneys to test their themes, refine phrasing, and see how real people respond to a case. “It’s like a football team running plays—you learn what works before the big game,” says Previant.
They also help prepare clients. “When clients watch jurors discuss their case, it grounds them in the reality of trial,” he adds.
Modern juries expect visual and digital engagement. NP Law embraces technology—from trial prep software to interactive exhibits and AI-powered visualizations.
“Static slides can bore juries,” says Noland. “Animations and 3D models of accidents or anatomy can make complex facts clear and compelling.” Integrating technology not only improves clarity but keeps jurors emotionally invested throughout the trial.
Both attorneys agree that public speaking and storytelling are essential. “You have to be a good storyteller—and to do that, you must truly know your client,” says Previant. “Jurors can sense authenticity. When they believe in your client’s story, they’ll want to help.”
Experience is equally crucial. “You get rusty if you’re not trying cases,” Noland admits. “Trial work is demanding, but practice keeps you sharp.”
For NP Law, service extends beyond the courtroom. “Writing a check isn’t enough—you have to engage,” says Previant. The firm encourages attorneys to participate in local bar associations, schools, and charitable programs, helping to strengthen the connection between the legal profession and the public.
Previant and Noland met while working at a large Los Angeles firm but soon realized they shared a deeper goal—to build a firm dedicated to true trial advocacy.
Previant, raised in rural Minnesota, began his career as a commercial real estate appraiser before entering law and representing plaintiffs in asbestos litigation nationwide. After volunteering in Africa, he returned to the U.S. and crossed paths with Noland.
Noland’s journey began in the U.S. Navy as a combat medic before serving as an emergency paramedic in Los Angeles. His background in medicine led him to study medical illustration, where he collaborated with trial lawyers—and ultimately decided to become one himself.
Together, they built NP Law around one mission: to prepare, practice, and pursue justice with integrity.
Every case, they say, begins with three guiding questions:
Who are we? “We’re legal professionals bound by ethics to put our clients’ interests first.”
What do we do? “We explore every option for the best possible outcome.”
How do we do it? “We treat every case as a mission, developing a plan that prepares us for trial from day one.”
Their guiding principle echoes President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to pursue hard goals for the sake of excellence:
“We choose to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
As NP Law continues to grow, Previant and Noland remain focused on mentoring young lawyers, sharing trial experience, and advocating for clients across California.
“Our goal,” says Noland, “is to keep improving as trial lawyers and to help others develop the skills to try cases with confidence.”
Lee Previant and John Noland, Founding Partners
NP Law Firm, APC
28494 Westinghouse Place, Suite 311, Valencia, CA 91355, USA
Tel: 855-675-2901 | Fax: 818-334-5043
E: lpreviant@nplaw.la | jnoland@nplaw.la
