A young attorney's first oral ­argument is a momentous ­milestone in his or her legal career. As exciting as this experience may be, new attorneys should also appreciate the importance of oral argument and understand that it may have a lasting impact on the outcome of the case. While no lawyer is perfect (especially in the first few years of practice), there are certain standards that any well-respected attorney is expected to meet in order to make a good first impression in the courtroom and to demonstrate effective oral advocacy. New attorneys can achieve these standards too; whether that attorney has had months, weeks or just days to prepare for their day in court. Below is a list of some helpful tips that all young ­attorneys should consider before their first oral argument.

• Study and outline the record.

The most essential element of ­effective oral advocacy is having a working ­knowledge of the facts and the law of your case. Analyze the relevant pleadings, ­motions and exhibits filed by both parties, as well as any other relevant information, until you can expertly address all of the facts and the issues at hand. The more ­prepared you are to argue your client's case, the better you will feel. Next, draft an ­outline that contains the following: a concise introduction, subheadings for each legal argument that matches your legal brief(s), key phrases, statutes or case names that remind you of your strongest arguments, and a list of points to be summarized in your closing statements. This outline should be used as a tool to keep you focused during oral ­argument, but never as script to be read verbatim or memorized.