In court circles it is common report that Mr. Choate’s contemporaries
divide half of the business among them, and Mr. Choate has the other
half to himself.
This is due to his wonderful simplicity and directness, which never
falters for a moment for thought or word. He drives straight for the
heart and head of client or officer, witness or counsel, judge or
juryman. A distinguished barrister has said of him:
“Where other lawyers are solemn and portentous, or wild or unpleasant,
he is humorous and human. He assumes no superior air; often he speaks
with his hands in his pockets. He strives to stir up no dark passions.
While he is always a little bit keener, a little finer and more witty
than the man in the box or on the bench, yet he is always a brother man
to him.”