If you think you will ever try a case, or if you want to do better the next time you are in trial, then this is the program you have been waiting for. In this program, some of the most experienced trial lawyers in California will talk about the best way to prepare and present a case to a jury. We will cover what you need to do
before the trial begins, in limine motions, jury selection, opening statements, witness preparation, direct and cross examination, experts, and closing arguments. The training is designed for advocates with limited trial experience, but lawyers at all experience levels should benefit from this training. The panelists are noted experts in trial advocacy who have each tried multiple cases to verdict.
Lecture Topics [Total time 06:34:50]
Segments with an asterisk (*) are available only with the purchase of the entire program.
- Program Overview and Introductions* [00:08:15]
Arturo J. González
- Preparing Your Case for Trial, Including Motions in Limine/Deposition Designations [01:03:25]
Brendan P. Glackin, Robert J. Romero, Arturo J. González
- Direct Examination; Trial Objections [01:00:30]
Donald W. Carlson, Robert S. Arns, Wilma J. Gray
- Jury Selection [01:04:40]
David H. Weinberg, James J. Brosnahan, Jennifer L. Keller
- Opening Statements and Closing Arguments [01:00:35]
Cynthia McGuinn, Nanci L. Clarence, G. Christopher Ritter
- Expert Witnesses and Getting Documents Into Evidence [01:03:05]
I. Neel Chatterjee, Michael J. Pérez, Rachel Krevans
- Cross-Examination; Trial Objections [01:14:20]
James Donato, Thomas J. Brandi, Hon. Jon S. Tigar, Stuart Gasner
The purchase price of this Web Program includes the following articles from the Course Handbook available online:
- Preparing Your Case for Trial
Alison M. Tucher, Brendan P. Glackin, Robert J. Romero
- Defense Trial Plan
Alison M. Tucher, Brendan P. Glackin, Robert J. Romero
- Plaintiffs’ Omnibus Notice of Motions and Motions in Limine (Nos. 19 –28), United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Francisco Division (2012)
Alison M. Tucher, Brendan P. Glackin, Robert J. Romero
- Decoding Electronic Data During Deposition, Association of Business Trial Lawyers Report, Northern California, Volume 20, No. 1, Winter 2010/2011
Alison M. Tucher
- California Evidence Wheel 2012 Edition
Robert S. Arns
- California Evidence Code Section 352
Robert S. Arns
- California Evidence Code Section 776
Robert S. Arns
- Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 611—Mode and Order of Examining Witnesses and Presenting Evidence
Robert S. Arns
- Direct Examination (PowerPoint Slides)
Donald W. Carlson, Robert S. Arns, Wilma J. Gray
- Jury Selection Overview
James J. Brosnahan
- Juror Questionnaire for Civil Cases, Code of Civil Procedure Section 205(c)-(d)
James J. Brosnahan
- Jury Selection (PowerPoint Slides)
James J. Brosnahan
- Juryscope (PowerPoint Slides)
David H. Weinberg
- Telling Your Story in Opening Statement
Cynthia McGuinn
- The Most Effective Opening Statement Ever Given?, The Champion, September— October 2012
Nanci L. Clarence
- Using Graphics in Your Opening Statement, Creative Winning Trial Strategies and Graphics, Chapter 8, Specialized Graphics
G. Christopher Ritter, Nanci L. Clarence
- Using Graphics During Your Closing Argument, Creative Winning Trial Strategies and Graphics, Chapter 8, Specialized Graphics
G. Christopher Ritter, Nanci L. Clarence
- Expert Witnesses and Getting Documents into Evidence
I. Neel Chatterjee
- Evidence Overview
Thomas J. Brandi
- Chapter 12 Basic Evidence Rules Original Publication, Effective Direct and Cross-Examination
Hon. Jon S. Tigar
- Chapter 12 Basic Evidence Rules 2004 Update, Effective Direct and Cross-Examination
Hon. Jon S. Tigar
Presentation Material
- Direct Examination (PowerPoint Slides)
Donald W. Carlson, Robert S. Arns, Wilma J. Gray
- Jury Selection PowerPoint Slides (PowerPoint Slides)
James J. Brosnahan
- JuryScope PowerPoint Slides (PowerPoint Slides)
David H. Weinberg
- Opening Statements and Closing Arguments (PowerPoint Slides)
Nanci L. Clarence, G. Christopher Ritter
- 10 Steps To A Good Cross-Examination (PowerPoint Slides)
Stuart Gasner
- Cross-Examination (PowerPoint Slides)
Hon. Jon S. Tigar
PLI makes every effort to accredit its On-Demand Web Programs and Segments. Please check the CLE Calculator above for CLE information specific to your state.
On-Demand Web Programs and Segments are approved in:
Alabama1, Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho*, Illinois , Iowa2*, Kansas, Kentucky*, Louisiana, Maine*, Mississippi, Missouri3, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire4, New Jersey, New Mexico5, New York6, North Carolina7, North Dakota, Ohio8, Oklahoma9, Oregon*, Pennsylvania10, Rhode Island11, South Carolina, Tennessee12, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia13, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin14 and Wyoming*.
Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin DO NOT approve Audio Only On-Demand Web Programs.
Minnesota approves live webcasts ONLY
Please Note: The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement. PLI programs may qualify for credit based on the requirements outlined in the MCLE Regulations and Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. Rule 45.
*PLI will apply for credit upon request. Louisiana and New Hampshire: PLI will apply for credit upon request for audio-only on-demand web programs.
1Alabama: Approval of all web based programs is limited to a maximum of 6.0 credits.
2Iowa: The approval is for one year from recorded date. Does not approve of Audio-only On-Demand Webcasts.
3Missouri: On-demand web programs are restricted to six hours of self-study credit per year. Self-study may not be used to satisfy the ethics requirements. Self-study can not be used for carryover credit.
4New Hamphsire: The approval is for three years from recorded date.
5New Mexico: On-Demand web programs are restricted to 4.0 self-study credits per year.
6New York: Newly admitted attorneys may not take non-traditional course formats such as on-demand Web Programs or live Webcasts for CLE credit. Newly admitted attorneys not practicing law in the United States, however, may earn 12 transitional credits in non-traditional formats.
7North Carolina: A maximum of 4 credits per reporting period may be earned by participating in on-demand web programs.
8Ohio: To confirm that the web program has been approved, please refer to the list of Ohio’s Approved Self Study Activities at http://www.sconet.state.oh.us. Online programs are considered self-study. Ohio attorneys have a 6 credit self-study limit per compliance period. The Ohio CLE Board states that attorneys must have a 100% success rate in clicking on timestamps to receive ANY CLE credit for an online program.
9Oklahoma: Up to 6 credits may be earned each year through computer-based or technology-based legal education programs.
10Pennsylvania: PA attorneys may only receive a maximum of four (4) hours of distance learning credit per compliance period. All distance learning programs must be a minimum of 1 full hour.
11Rhode Island: Audio Only On-Demand Web Programs are not approved for credit. On-Demand Web Programs must have an audio and video component.
12Tennessee: The approval is for the calendar year in which the live program was presented.
13Virginia: All distance learning courses are to be done in an educational setting, free from distractions.
14Wisconsin: Ethics credit is not allowed. The ethics portion of the program will be approved for general credit. There is a 10 credit limit for on-demand web programs during every 2-year reporting period. Does not approve of Audio-only On-Demand Webcasts.
Running time and CLE credit hours are not necessarily the same. Please be aware that many states do not permit credit for luncheon and keynote speakers.
If you have already received credit for attending some or the entire program, please be aware that state administrators do not permit you to accrue additional credit for repeat viewing even if an additional credit certificate is subsequently issued.
Note that some states limit the number of credit hours attorneys may claim for online CLE activities, and state rules vary with regard to whether online CLE activities qualify for participatory or self-study credits. For more information, call Customer Service (800) 260-4PLI (4754) or e-mail info@pli.edu.