Ask the Lawyer columnist Ron Sokol discusses the pros and cons of representing yourself in a divorce proceeding.

Medical malpractice attorney Stephen L. Snyder is asking a judge to dismiss his federal convictions or grant him a new trial on the charges, arguing that he was not competent to represent himself.

A: You may have heard the adage, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client ... to be assessed by the trier of fact. As your own lawyer, you are advocating your position.