Winners and Losers

This Washington Post article reviews the performances of the various lawyers in the Enron case. It's hardly surprising that Skilling lawyer Daniel Petrocelli gets raves -- the combination of smarts, great preparation, resources, and then more resources should produce excellent lawyering. But the important point the article does not make, at least explicitly, is that in a criminal trial, even having the best lawyer in the room only takes you so far. The O.J. trial notwithstanding, facts is facts, and while lawyers can spin them, they can't change them.