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 - 10:00, Phyllis R. Calloway
   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
   10:00 - 11:00, Phyllis R. Calloway
   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
   11:15 - 12:15, Shelly Schrand
   1. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Litigation vs. Chronological Notebook
   2. Key Sections and Their Development
   3. Cross-Referencing
4. PREPARING YOUR WITNESSES
   1:15 - 2:15, Shelly Schrand
   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
   2:30 - 3:30, Michael Bragg
   1. Choosing Your Technological Direction
   2. The Power of the Exhibit List
   3. Preparing Documents and Demonstratives
6. SUCCEEDING AT TRIAL
   3:30 - 4:30, Michael Bragg
   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

MICHAEL BRAGG is a Florida Registered Paralegal  with Banker Lopez Gassler P.A., where he works as an aviation products liability paralegal. He has been in the legal profession for more than 25 years. He has worked for major automotive manufacturers handling seatbelt and airbag litigation. Mr. Bragg has also been involved in several high profile aviation cases including the Payne Stewart Crash. He earned  B.S. degree in legal assistance studies from Madonna College, Michigan. Mr. Bragg is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of Florida, Hillsborough Chapter.

PHYLLIS R. CALLOWAY is a legal office manager, managing the Fort Myers and Naples office of Becker & Poliakoff. Ms. Calloway has been a paralegal for more than 17 years and her work is focused in the area of eminent domain and litigation. She earned her A.S. degree from East Central Jr. College, her B.S. degree from Delta State University and her Paralegal Certificate from Blackstone School of Law. Ms. Calloway is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Prior to moving to Florida, she worked at a national law firm as a senior trial paralegal representing Ford Motor Company, GM, Chrysler, Komatsu, BMW of Germany, Cascade Windows and Ball Aerospace in numerous cases focused on product liability, construction defect, personal injury and securities. Ms. Calloway has served as a paralegal clinical advisor at Denver University School of Law, Child Advocacy Clinic. She was an appointed member of the Governor's Task Force involving Youth Against Gangs in Denver, Colorado, as well as an advocate for children through the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center. Ms. Calloway has worked with several prestigious law firms in Denver, Colorado and Detroit, Michigan.

SHELLY SCHRAND is a Florida Registered Paralegal with Carlton Fields, where her main areas of practice are litigation, administrative and probate. She handles cases from initiation through trial. Ms. Schrand conducts legal and factual research, and investigation. She prepares pleadings, memoranda and briefs, witness lists and exhibits, trial notebooks, demand and settlement documents, and deposition schedules and summaries. Ms. Schrand also coordinates and manages document production, organizes pleadings and trial exhibits, assists lawyers at trial, and maintains general client contact. She is a Florida Registered Paralegal from April, 2008 to present. Ms. Schrand graduated from Tampa Bay Business Academy.

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