We are proud to share that attorney Gerard Virga was featured in the August 2026 edition of FAMSEG, the monthly eNewsletter of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar. Gerard authored the latest installment of the Section’s Level Up series, “Courtroom Presence,” a piece that speaks directly to trial lawyers at every stage of their careers.
A Hard-Won Lesson in the Courtroom
In the article, Gerard reflects candidly on a hearing early in his career, one the law said he should have won. The problem wasn’t his preparation; it was too much of it. He had rehearsed his client’s honest, compelling testimony until it came out polished and fast, and the judge stopped believing her. “My honest witness sounded rehearsed,” he writes, “because I had rehearsed the honesty right out of her.”
The turning point came from the judge. As Gerard packed up, the judge told him: “Everybody who walks through that door has a few dents in them. It’s the ones who come in looking perfect that I stop believing.” That single sentence, he writes, did more for his trial work than any seminar.
Why Authenticity Wins Cases
Gerard’s message is one that guides how we approach every case: real testimony has grit to it: the pause, the correction, the answer that wanders before it lands. Sand all of that off, and you take away the one thing a family court judge is listening for. As Gerard puts it, “Authenticity cannot be coached, and it is often the single most important element in winning your case.”
He still prepares his witnesses rigorously. The difference now is what that preparation is for “helping clients tell their own truth, in their own voice, in the way only they can.”
Recognized by Peers Across Florida
Being invited to contribute to FAMSEG reflects the respect Gerard has earned among family law practitioners throughout the state. We are thrilled to see his insight and experience recognized by The Florida Bar’s Family Law Section, and even prouder to have him advocating for our clients.
To read Gerard’s full article, visit the August 2026 edition of FAMSEG on the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar’s website.