Here’s something lawyers know that self-represented litigants learn the hard way–in areas that matter, when they’re assertive and we’re not, we lose. When they see a non-assertive pro se litigant, lawyers go to their “pro se playbook”, look up the rules for handling passive litigants, and run their plays. Your job is to nip that in the bud. In court, be firm, direct, and clear about what you want and need and take responsibility for your case.

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