The clock is ticking…and while you have meticulously planned out every detail up until this point, everything will continue to become more and more chaotic up until the day of trial. Ask any successful paralegal what the two key elements of trial preparation are, and they'll tell you this: organization and flexibility. When put to the test, are your skills everything they should be? Let us help you take a closer look at the specialized realm of paralegal responsibilities leading up to trial right from the convenience of your desk. Your role is important, so take the next step toward maximizing your effectiveness. Make sure you can confidently fulfill your key trial responsibilities – order these vital reference materials today!

1. Useful Discovery for Trial
2. Tips for Assisting With Settlement Negotiations
3. Creating a Trial Notebook
4. Preparing Your Witnesses
5. Effective Use of Evidence
6. Succeeding at Trial

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. USEFUL DISCOVERY FOR TRIAL
   9:00 - 9:45, Howard J. Beck
   1. The Complaint
   2. Requests for Admission, Requests for Production and Interrogatories
   3. Bates Numbering
   4. Digesting, Abstracting and Indexing Depositions
2. TIPS FOR ASSISTING WITH SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
   9:45 - 10:30, Howard J. Beck
   1. Preparing Your Client for the Mediation
   2. Should a Presentation be Made? What Should It Say?
   3. What Are the Elements of Emphasis
3. CREATING A TRIAL NOTEBOOK
   10:45 - 12:00, Troy R. Rackham
   1. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Litigation vs. Chronological Notebook
   2. Key Sections and Their Development
   3. Cross-Referencing
4. PREPARING YOUR WITNESSES
   1:00 - 2:00, Troy R. Rackham
   1. Creating Witness Lists
   2. Trial vs. Deposition Preparation
   3. How Preparation Varies Between Clients, Non-Expert Witnesses and Experts
5. EFFECTIVE USE OF EVIDENCE
   2:15 - 3:15, Karen C. Whalen and Vickie L. Yeomans
   1. Choosing Your Technological Direction
   2. The Power of the Exhibit List
   3. Preparing Documents and Demonstratives
6. SUCCEEDING AT TRIAL
   3:15 - 4:30, Troy R. Rackham
   1. What if You Don't Go to Trial?
   2. Court Rules and Practices You Need to Know About
   3. Differences Between Federal vs. Local or County Court
   4. Assisting With Jury Selection
   5. Tips for Working in the Courtroom
      1. Anticipating the Needs of Your Attorney
      2. Working With Opposing Counsel, Court Staff and the Judge
   6. Surviving the Trial

HOWARD J. BECK is a shareholder in the Aurora, Colorado law firm of Beck and Cassinis, P.C., where his practice includes commercial real estate, homeowner associations and civil and commercial litigation. Mr. Beck has completed the advanced trial advocacy program of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. He is a member of the American, Colorado and Denver bar associations, and the Faculty of Federal Advocates-Colorado. Mr. Beck is admitted to practice before all Colorado Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has frequently written and lectured on homeowner association (HOA), common interest community and trial/litigation matters, including as an author and a presenter: "Legal Aspects of Condominium Development and Homeowners' Associations," National Business Institute, 2006, 2007 and 2008; "Real Estate Law: Advanced Issues and Answers," National Business Institute, December, 2007; "Operations and Conflict Resolution in Condominiums and Homeowners' Associations," National Business Institute, July, 2008; and "Developing and Managing Condominium and Homeowners' Associations", National Business Institute, December, 2008. Most recently he authored and presented for "Community Associations In a Distressed Market," National Business Institute, August 17, 2009. Mr. Beck also has been an author and presenter at "Pretrial Skills: Thinking on Your Feet," National Business Institute, November, 2006; "Depositions A-Z," National Business Institute, August, 2007; "Countdown to Trial: A Crash Course for Paralegals," Institute for Paralegal Education, August, 2007; "Winning Your First Civil Trial," National Business Institute, January, 2008; "Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the "Rambo" Litigator," National Business Institute, April, 2008; and "Building Your Civil Trial Skills," National Business Institute, November, 2008 and the Ethics portion of "Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy," National Business Institute, March 13, 2009 and "Overcoming Common Challenges in Discovery Practice," National Business Institute, September 30, 2009. His recent presentations for the Institute for Paralegal Education: "The Fundamentals of Legal Research and Analysis for Paralegals," Institute for Paralegal Education, March 31, 2009 and "Preparation of a Powerful Trial Notebook," Institute for Paralegal Education, May 13, 2009. Mr. Beck earned his B.A. degree from the University of Nevada at Reno and his J. D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law, where he was the managing editor of the Denver Law Journal.

TROY R. RACKHAM is a member of McConnell Fleischner Houghtaling & Craigmile, LLC. He began his practice of law as an associate at the Denver firm of Long & Jaudon, PC. Mr. Rackham joined the founding partners of McConnell Fleischner Houghtaling & Craigmile, LLC in 2001 and became a partner of the firm in 2006. His practice includes employment and civil rights law, legal and medical malpractice and other forms of complex litigation, along with extensive involvement in the firm's appellate litigation. Mr. Rackham earned his J.D. degree from William and Mary School of Law. While in law school, he served as the senior articles editor for the William and Mary Law Review and worked as a research assistant for Professor Davison M. Douglas whose course focused on constitutional, employment, employment discrimination and civil rights law. Mr. Rackham is a member of the American, Colorado and Denver bar associations. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association's Professional Liability Committee. Mr. Rackham frequently lectures to other attorneys on ethics and professional malpractice topics. He also has authored numerous articles and chapters on civil litigation and professional liability issues. Mr. Rackham contributes his time to work on several committees of these associations and works in his community tutoring students in elementary school. He also aims to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono representation a year. Mr. Rackham, along with other members of the firm, represents Sungate Kids on a pro bono basis. Sungate helps child abuse victims through the aftermath of abuse, from initial investigative interviews to medical evaluations to family visitation services and support programs. Sungate serves the 600,000 people living in Colorado's 18th Judicial District, spanning Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties.

KAREN C. WHALEN, ACP, RP, is a paralegal with more than 20 years of experience at Hall & Evans LLC, in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Whalen earned her B.S. degree from Northern Illinois University and her post-graduate paralegal certificate from Roosevelt University. She earned the ACP (Advanced Certified Paralegal in the Litigation Specialty) and PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam) registered paralegal credentials. Ms. Whalen has previously presented CLE accredited seminars on ethics, legal writing, medical records evaluation, and trial preparation for the Institute for Paralegal Education and co-presented a CLE accredited seminar titled "Litigation Boot Camp II - Trial Management/Presentation Technology" for the Colorado Bar Association. She has written articles for Facts & Findings and authors a regular column about technology for The National Paralegal Reporter.

VICKIE L. YEOMANS has been a paralegal with Hall & Evans LLC for 13 years. Ms. Yeomans has experience in complex litigation, document and case management databases, as well as high-tech courtroom presentations. In total she has 25 years of legal experience including employment with both plaintiff and defense oriented law firms. Ms. Yeomans has been involved with, managed and coordinated hundreds of cases for large national corporations involving the south central and Rocky Mountain regions. She has lectured for both the Institute of Paralegal Education and Colorado Bar Association on CLE accredited programs. Ms. Yeomans co-authored Countdown to Trial: Effective Use of Evidence and Litigation Boot Camp II: Trial Management Technology.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com