I recently had the opportunity to chat with Olivia Omega in anticipation of her upcoming 2024 CWBA Convention presentation, “Authentic Storytelling for Influence.”
Olivia and I discussed how we may not always be aware of how pervasive storytelling is in all aspects of our everyday lives. Storytelling is just the sharing of information with emotion to evoke a response. Skillful storytelling encourages others to listen and to want to learn more. A story can challenge thoughts and influence interpretation. Whether working with a client, jury, or opposing counsel, we are all humans, and humans are drawn to stories.
We also touched on the dynamic between authenticity and knowing your audience. With time and practice, an ideal middle ground can be reached of bringing one’s authentic self but sharing in a way that is beneficial to the situation. In other words, remaining true to oneself while changing elements of the presentation, such as examples, to fit the audience’s knowledge and to allow them to relate.
I asked Olivia what attendees could do to gear up for her presentation. While we don’t need to have anything prepared, she suggested thinking about what it means to be authentic. It can be hard to identify and apply this concept in the spur of the moment. For example: When did you feel the most authentic? When were you truly yourself? How did that look, sound, and feel?
“Authentic Storytelling for Influence” will be a transformative workshop aimed at empowering participants to harness the power of authentic storytelling and the ability to connect with audiences on a human level. Whether advocating for clients in the courtroom or shaping narratives outside it, the art of storytelling can be a formidable tool. Olivia will guide attendees on a dive into the core principles of authentic storytelling and provide practical techniques tailored to the legal profession. Participants will learn how to unearth and articulate their own stories and those of their clients in a manner that resonates deeply with others. By the end of the session, attendees will emerge with newfound confidence in their ability to authentically convey the stories that matter most, wielding their narratives as potent instruments of change.
Oliva is a branding strategist, seasoned entrepreneur, diversity and inclusion advocate, TEDx speaker, and author of Beautifully Branded: The Girl’s Guide to Understanding the Anatomy of Brand You. For additional information about Olivia Omega and her work, visit OliviaOmega.com.
Courtney Keyes is an associate attorney at DeVault Law LLC, a female-owned and operated firm specializing in construction law. She graduated summa cum laude from St. Cloud State University and worked in various roles for a Medicare contractor for the next nine years. Courtney worked full time as a business analyst while she attended the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She began working as a legal research assistant with DeVault Law LLC shortly before her graduation in 2022. She is also a member of the Rhone-Brackett Inn of Court, Women Trial Lawyers Network, and the CWBA Foundation’s Circle of Minerva.