The Novel Approach

Fontana Judge Stephan Gray Saleson says the key to compelling testimony is letting the witnesses tell jurors the story. It's his job, he says, not to interrupt.

Stephan G. Saleson

San Bernardino County Superior Court (Fontana)

Career Highlights: Appointed to the San Bernardino County Superior Court by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2006; attorney, Varner, Saleson & Brandt, 2006; attorney, Gresham, Varner, Savage Nolan & Tilden, 1980-2006; deputy district attorney, San Bernardino County, 1977-1980

Law School: Pepperdine University School of Law, 1976

See more...

By Noah Barron
Daily Journal Staff Writer

FONTANA - Coaching budding trial attorneys at law schools, Judge Stephan Gray Saleson offered one simple principle: "Tell a story."

Saleson, a former trial attorney with 30 years of experience, said he was given the same advice by the late Judge Tom Halderson in San Bernardino Superior Court.

Back then, Saleson was a green district attorney who had just finished arguing his first case.

To continue reading, please subscribe.
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!

$95

$795

Or access this Judicial Profile for $85
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this Judicial Profile. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)

Already a subscriber?
Sign In

Enewsletter Sign-up