I recently attended the OBA Institute Program, Spend a Day with 3 Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada, which allowed young lawyers to interact in an informal setting with Justice Cote, Justice Moldaver and Justice Wagner. I had the privilege of introducing Justice Wagner. Given that I had never introduced anyone, let alone a SCC judge, I spent a long time preparing for what would be a 90 second introduction. After one (self-proclaimed) success, I am declaring myself an expert, and offer the following tips to you:
- Nail down the correct pronunciation: Whether it’s the speaker’s name, an institution or a word that is foreign to you, no one wants to watch you stumble at the podium. The Anglophone in me wanted to introduce Justice WAG-NER, but after searching Youtube, I realized the correct pronunciation was something closer to VOG-NER. Always double check – there is nothing more embarrassing than mispronouncing the name of the person you are introducing.
- Contact the speaker: This can be to confirm pronunciation, ask if they want any specific comments included, or just to introduce yourself prior to the event.
- Introduce yourself: Briefly and only if someone else has not already done so.
- Whittle the information: Sure, your speaker has a lot of accomplishments but no one wants to hear a complete chronology. Pick only the accomplishments relevant to your audience.
- No one cares about specific dates: Give a month and year for the speaker’s relevant achievements. No one cares if it happened on October 11, 12 or 13 in 1981.
- Tailor your comments to the audience: Whether it’s a personal fact or professional accomplishment, make the intro interesting and relevant for that particular audience. For example, if you list all of the awards received by your speaker over the last 20 years, you will lose your audience’s attention. Try listing one relevant award and elaborating on why the speaker was chosen.
- End with an applause: Formally welcome the speaker, and invite the audience to welcome the speaker with an applause.
- Shake the speaker’s hand: You’ll be relieved to be finished, but don’t run off the stage. Stick around and shake the speaker’s hand.
- Take advantage of it: Don’t introduce the speaker and then disappear into the crowd. Use the opportunity to form a relationship since you may be the only face they recognize at the event.
Remember ... the introduction sets the tone for the entire event.Make it strong and make the speaker want to live up to the praise you are giving them.
About the Author
Dana Lue is an Associate with Ricketts Harris LLP, practicing exclusively in family law. She is the Co-CLE Liaison of the YLD Central Executive.