What James Sexton has said about Courtroom advocacy

Sexton argues that men wrongly assume female judges will favor women, saying women are often merciless toward women.

“A lot of men think, oh shit, we've got a female judge. And they're completely wrong. Because women are merciless to women a lot of the time”

Modern Wisdom: James Sexton, Matt McCusker & Rick Glassman - Mostly Wise #4 - #1156 (Sep 28, 2026) · Listen from 21:51

Sexton says facts tend to win in court, so a mediocre lawyer with real facts will beat him.

“Like a mediocre at best lawyer armed with real facts is going to kick my ass because the facts just have a way of coming out sometimes”

Modern Wisdom: James Sexton, Matt McCusker & Rick Glassman - Mostly Wise #4 - #1156 (Sep 28, 2026) · Listen from 27:34

Sexton says he tells young lawyers they must earn the right to aggressively cross-examine a witness.

“you have to earn the right to beat up a witness. I tell young lawyers who work for me that all the time”

Modern Wisdom: James Sexton, Matt McCusker & Rick Glassman - Mostly Wise #4 - #1156 (Sep 28, 2026) · Listen from 29:29