DIRECT EXAMINATION

DIRECT EXAMINATION: EMILY M. HAAS

DIRECT EXAMINATION IS THE FIRST opportunity for the jury to meet a witness. An effective lawyer will use the opportunity to personalize the witness, making the witness appear both likeable and credible. At the end of the day, the direct examination is a party’s best chance to tell his or her story.

Emily Haas is a lawyer and yoga instructor who led a morning class for our members on the grounds of the NC Museum of Art.

1. When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Young-me wanted to be a dolphin trainer.

2. What was the most important lesson your parents taught you?

As a trademark attorney, the thing my parents told me that I most often recite when talking with my clients is that the most valuable thing that you have is your reputation. If people know you as honest, hardworking and dependable, it is important to maintain that reputation.

3. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

When I was in elementary school, I was told that I was bad at math. My third grade math teacher realized the problem wasn’t that I was bad at math, but how math was being taught. She restored my confidence and I eventually went on to get an advanced STEM degree as a result.

4. Did you love or hate law school?

I was the sick, sad person who thought it was really fascinating. Of course, I was coming from chemistry, so context is key. 8. What has been the most surprising or unexpected development in your career?

I expected I would be a patent attorney, considering my STEM background. Instead, I’ve become really passionate about trademarks, and working with businesses to develop and protect their reputations.

9. What is your favorite book? "The Silmarillion” by J. R. R.Tolkien

10. What is your most marked characteristic?

I have a really large imagination.

11. What is your hidden talent?

I’m not sure if it’s hidden, but something most people in law do not know about me is that I’m a trained contralto.

12. Who are your real life heroes?

I greatly admire my yoga sister, Beth, who is able to walk through the world both with confidence and compassion. She is the type of leader I aspire to be.

13. When and where were you happiest?

I’m not quite sure how to answer this one, to be honest. I don’t think I can narrow things down to one time and place. I try to make every day an adventure, and that’s the best any of us can do.

5. What was your most embarrassing courtroom experience? The first time I had to go to court by myself, I got sick in the bathroom before.The courtroom experience that had baby-lawyer-me so terrified? A scheduling conference.

6. What was your best courtroom experience?

After I did my first major hearing as first chair, I realized that I was able to represent my client and respond to the judge’s questions. I took a moment afterwards to let out a deep breath and say, ‘I really can do this.’

7. Why did you become a lawyer?

When I was a senior in college, I needed to fulfill the gen-eds that I had been putting off. I took U.S. Government thinking it would be an easy class. Spoiler Alert: it was not – but I really became fascinated during our study of the Constitution and said to the friend I had roped into taking the class with me, “I wish I had taken this as a freshman. I would have been a lawyer. Too bad science majors cannot go to law school.” (Two years later I found out science majors could go to law school and I went).