Training Course Syllabus:

Reach a Civil Litigation Resolution as Quickly as Possible – With Insight From the Bench

When was the last time that you had an easy and convenient way to spend a day with the judges you come before – and hear their thoughts on the law, on legal practices and on personal likes and dislikes in their courtrooms? This unique program has been designed to give you the chance to interact directly with your local civil litigation judges – and literally ask them any questions that are on your mind.

You´ll gain insights that will help you to customize your presentation to each judge´s specific likes and dislikes, discuss what juries think about trial attorneys – and learn ways to reconcile them with the fact that they are leaving their normal lives to help decide your cases. Receive practical suggestions on how you can enhance your courtroom performance, and client representation, from the most qualified sources – your judges. Take this day to listen, learn and get the answers to all of the questions that you have ever wanted the chance to ask a civil court judge!

• Learn what the judges prefer at case management and pretrial conferences.


• Be confident that you´re correctly handling motion hearings and motions for summary judgment.


• Utilize discovery practices that are effective and ethical.


• Learn tips and tricks to implement in your next set of voir dire questions.


• Identify the most common witness and evidence errors that judges hope you´ll avoid.


• Have the ability to ask any question and hear an answer from each panel judge.

AM Panel Members 9:00 – 12:00

Panel Members: Judge Jacqueline F. Allen, Judge Gary F. DiVito, Judge Sandra Mazer Moss and Judge Arnold L. New

1. Case Management Conferences and Pretrial Conferences  
   
   
   1. Determining Which Case Management Track is Best for You
   
   
   2. Tips for a Productive Settlement Conference
   
   
   3. Mistakes to Avoid at the Pretrial Conference
   
   
   
   


2. Scheduling Orders and Discovery Issues  
   
   
   1. Common Deadlines and Their Significance on Case
   
   
   2. Do You Really Need More Time for This Case Counselor?
   
   
   3. Discovery Issues Judges Should Never Hear
   
   
   4. The Emerging World of E-Discovery
   
   
   
   


3. Motion Hearings – When, Why, and How?  
   
   
   
   1. The Ins and Outs of Discovery Court
   
   
   2. Filing Dispositive Motions
   
   
   3. Motions in Limine
   
   
   
   


4. Judges View on Technology in the Court Room 
   
   
   1. What Technology is Available
   
   
   2. Advantages/Disadvantages of High Tech Presentation
   
   
   
   

PM Panel Members 1:00 – 4:30

Panel Members: Judge Matthew Carrafiello, Judge Victor J. DiNublie Jr., Judge Marlene F. Lachman and Judge John Milton Younge

5. Trial Practice Tips In Civil Court 
   
   
   
   1. How to be "Trial Ready"
   
   
   2. Jury Instructions Beyond the Standard List
   
   
   3. The Value of a Good Appearance
   
   
   4. Getting to Know Your Judge                  
   
   
   
   


6. Effective and Ineffective Discovery Practices  
   
   
   1. Why so Many Interrogatories?
   
   
   2. Be Careful What You Object To
   
   
   3. Bate Stamping, Why Must You be Reminded About It?
   
   
   4. Maintaining Objection Log
   
   
   5. Getting Accurate Answers From Your Clients
   
   
   
   


7. Voir Dire: Do´s and Don´ts 
   
   
   1. Determining the Judge´s Voir Dire Practice
   
   
   2. How Do You Identify Your Ideal Juror
   
   
   3. When Does a Juror Get Struck for Cause
   
   
   4. Avoiding Constitutional Challenges to Preemptory Strikes
   
   
   5. How to Tip the Jury Off to the Central Theme of Your Case
   
   
   
   


8. Witnesses and Evidence: Mistakes to Avoid  
   
   
   
   1. How a Witness Ruins a "Good" Case
   
   
   2. Introducing Evidence at Trial
   
   
   3. The Proper Way to Object in Court
   
   
   4. Learning When Not to Object
   
   
   5. When is a Side Bar Appropriate
   
   
   6. Did You Get Everything on the Record
   
   
   
   


9. Opening and Closing Arguments  
   
   
   1. What is an Opening Argument
   
   
   2. The Significance of an Opening Argument
   
   
   3. Effective Closing Argument Strategies
   
   
   4. Objecting During Argument
   
   
   
   

Agendas and Speakers may differ slightly depending on the location. Please e-mail or call a representative to obtain an agenda for a particular location.

Seminar Summary:

Reach a Civil Litigation Resolution as Quickly as Possible – With Insight From the Bench (see full course description)

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