The Internationally recognized leader in sentencing & post-conviction advocacy.
Every client has a story to tell,
a humanity to reveal.
Law Like You've Never Seen
Ordinary measures lead to ordinary results.
Every client’s story matters. If a lawyer deploys holistic, aggressive and creative strategies, then great results will follow. But, too many lawyers treat sentencing , and sentencing mitigation in particular, as an after-thought.
As a criminal defense lawyer with 30 years’ experience and an award-winning filmmaker, Passon possesses a one-of-a-kind skillset. He will help illuminate the truth of your client’s story in a way traditional methods of persuasion advocacy simply cannot.
CLE on Demand
WATCH FOR FREE
Seeing is Believing
In this free CLE, learn how to use visual, emotional-based storytelling at the sentencing and penalty phase.
Inside The Staircase: Lessons from the Michael Peterson Murder Trial
In order to rebut the defendant’s claim that his wife died from a fall down the stairs as opposed to a savage beating, the state enlisted a small army of dubious “experts” to prove its case.
WATCH FOR FREE
Autism & The Justice System: Dr. Laurie Sperry and Doug Passon
In this free CLE, if you represent clients on the autism spectrum, this one is for you!
Recent Episodes from the Set for Sentencing Podcast
For My Enemies, the Law
More than ever, we live in a country of selective justice. Some commit crimes with impunity and others are forced to run the gauntlet. The events of last week contain many stark examples, from prosecutions to pardons. Mark Allenbaugh and I couldn’t wait until the new year to talk about it.
Illegals: How Trump is Ignoring the Constitution and Laws to Install Loyalist US Attorneys
The appointments clause is enshrined in our Constitution. Checks and balances and separation of powers are a part of our Country’s DNA. It’s a system we have used for 250 years, designed to prevent abuse of power...
Understanding Autism with Dr. Nick Dubin
Justice-involved autistic individuals have valuable insights for understanding criminal legal challenges related to autism. With proper support and guidance, positive outcomes are possible.
New Book!
Announcing:
The Narrative Gym for Law
I am excited to announce the publication of a groundbreaking new book on legal storytelling! The Narrative Gym for Law is an introduction to a method of narrative construction called the "ABT", which stands for "AND, BUT, and THEREFORE." It's the brain-child of Dr. Randy Olson, Ph.D, a Harvard-educated scientist turned Hollywood filmmaker.
Most lawyers understand that “story" is at the heart of persuasive advocacy, but there's long been a need for a simple, analytical approach to this often convoluted, esoteric topic. When I found the ABT, I knew it was the perfect vehicle to communicate narrative structure to lawyers in a way that is straightforward, immediately actionable and applicable to any area of practice. So, I stalked Dr. Olson and convinced him to co-author this book with me!
Want to learn more?
Click below to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.
I just wanted to take some time to really thank you for the video you made. That video was what changed the judge's mind and I hope you have a ton of business because the service you provide made all the difference in the world in my case.
-J.R.
I just wanted to take some time to really thank you for the video you made. That video was what changed the judge's mind and I hope you have a ton of business because the service you provide made all the difference in the world in my case.
-X.R.
Our civil case settled with flying colors all because of the "Day In the Life" video you produced for our mediation. Up until seeing your video, the defense had no idea how much this incident negatively impacted each of the family members. We so appreciate your work on this case!
- Kristen Wong, Mayes Telles Attorneys
Since we've met, I've totally reassessed the way I approach sentencing. Using your various methods, including the three Rs, and ABT, I've become a much better lawyer.
- Patrick T. Barone, Esq.
At sentencing, the prosecutor referenced my sentencing memo and said she had never seen one that told a more compelling story about a client.
- Cathy Gormley, Esq, Seattle, WA
Clients
From the Blog
Anastasia Screams In Vain: The Devil’s Coming For Melissa Lucio
I Stuck around St. Petersburg, when I saw it was a time for a change. Killed the Tsar and his ministers, Anastasia screamed in vain. –Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones The famous Stones song is a meditation on evil. If we have some understanding of the devil’s work,…
Every good story has meaning!
We humans are undeniably creatures of story. Think of how empty life would be without ever having been transfixed by images dancing before our eyes in a dark movie theatre, engrossed in an incredible page-turner, or mesmerized by a master storyteller weaving a yarn around a roaring campfire. But stories…
The Labor of Law – Save Yourself and You Save the World
Next month I will have officially reached my twenty-fifth year of lawyering; the majority of those years were spent slogging through the litigation trenches as a state and federal public defender. These can be dark waters we lawyers swim in. We confront people at their lowest moments in life. We…
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