Hopefully you will never find yourself in combat with another person, but if you do, having a weapon can tip the balance in your favor.  This shouldn't be taken as encouragement to carry a knife or gun everywhere, though.  Most people don't realize that they actually carry several items on a regular basis that can be used as weapons.  And if you spend a lot of time in court or other government buildings, you can't carry knives or guns with you.  You should take stock of the items that you are likely to have if combat erupts, and consider how you can use them to help you.

What can make good improvised weapons?  For attorneys, the most likely items include briefcases, attache cases, laptop bags, file cases, padfolios, desk calendars, legal pads, and writing utensils.  When going to trial, you also may have exhibits that may be useful as weapons.  While it is difficult to imagine using your cherished chart to strike someone, if your life is on the line, use it!  You also may be able to make use of items of clothing such as a jacket or belt, but these items can take costly seconds to remove and get ready.

What uses can be made of these improvised weapons?  Often the best use of these is to cause a distraction or hesitation to give you time to escape.  A set of keys or a pocketful of loose change can be good for this -- throw it hard at the attacker's face and run.  (As a side note, I have heard several people suggest that a set of keys can be held in the closed fist, with the keys sticking out between the fingers, and used as a sort of knuckle duster/brass knuckles.  I would discourage this use -- it can cause you as much injury as your opponent, and also lead to other complications.  Keys are better used to distract.)  Large items like bags and briefcases can be effective shields from attack, and also used to attack an opponent's head or legs.  Smaller items can be used similarly, but more quickly.  Take a few minutes with these items and familiarize yourself with their weight and feel.  Take a few practice swings and take note of how they affect your balance.  Then resolve to be ready to use them if the need arises.

A good explanation of the characteristics of good improvised weapons can be found here.

All of the items in a courtroom, conference room, waiting area, office, or any other location can generally be divided into two groups -- obstacles and weapons.  The dividing line is basically whether or not the item can be readily lifted.

Desks, heavy chairs, railings, the judge's bench, and such are obstacles.  You will have to move around them if action is necessary, and they can be useful in impeding the movement of an assailant, providing hard and sharp surfaces to throw an assailant against, or possibly even as cover or concealment.

Pens, clipboards, briefcases, light chairs, and such are weapons.  You can move these items to suit your purposes.  These items can be used to attack an assailant, to block an assailant's attack, to trip an assailant, or to cause distraction.  Unfortunately, all of these uses are available to an assailant as well as to you, so be careful around moveable objects, and consider all the different ways they can be used.

The next time you are in court, a conference room, someone's office, or whatever arena you visit in your practice, look around at the items in your environment and consider these uses.

As the TSA has reaffirmed its controversial knife policy (story here), which is mixed news for air travelers: on the one hand, there may be less hassle in bringing your pocket knife or hockey stick on board, but on the other hand, everyone else on the plane is potentially armed. This may cause some flyers concern, but with a little forethought and preparation, this situation is manageable.

While most people seem most concerned about the pocket knives, these really aren't big enough to cause a major concern. To be sure, even a 2.36" blade can inflict a fatal wound, but in the close confines of an aircraft passenger compartment, it is not very wieldy. The narrow aisles and overhead storage bins make it more difficult to slash with a knife, and such a short blade gives an attacker little reach with a stab. To defend yourself in this scenario, find something to shield yourself from a stab (such as a briefcase or carry-on bag), and seek help from other passengers on the attacker's flanks or rear. If you find yourself being held at knifepoint, the most important thing is to control the weapon so that it cannot be used on a vital area (such as a major artery or important internal organ such as the kidneys).

The greater threat may come from the hockey stick (or lacrosse stick, golf club, pool cue, etc.). Despite the complaint I recently heard from the president of a flight attendants' union that "a golf club to the teeth" shouldn't be a job hazard (and I agree with her on that), the same narrow confines mentioned above make swinging one of these weapons almost impossible. The thrust will be the primary method of attack here. Again, find something to block the attack until help arrives. Because of the far greater reach of these weapons, you will have to be more on your guard. Most likely, the attacker will aim for the face, so keep your guard high. Fortunately, a low blow with a blunt weapon like this should not cause a fatal injury.

Of course, these guidelines aren't as applicable in the large cabins of jumbo aircraft with big, open passenger compartments, or in the terminal. Fortunately, the greater space in these areas affords you a better opportunity to avoid an attacker, and also to respond in kind. As with any potentially dangerous situation, the best defense is to prevent the attack altogether. Keep your eyes open for warning signs of an imminent confrontation, and avoid it.