No case can be won on sheer brilliance alone. Evidence is the backbone on which effective advocacy is borne. Are you making the best use of all types of evidence in each case? In this comprehensive legal guide, experienced attorney faculty share their tips on how to recognize key evidence and then traverse the obstacle course of qualifying rules and opposing counsel's attempts to strike it, to deliver it to the decision maker unscathed and introduce it for maximum impact. Learn to use the rules of evidence with surgical precision – order today!

1. Determining Admissibility
2. Hearsay Objections and Exceptions
3. Witnesses
4. Ethics
5. Expert Reports and Scientific Evidence
6. Authentication, Exhibits and Courtroom Presentation

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. DETERMINING ADMISSIBILITY
   9:00 - 10:00, Gabriel M. Haws
   1. Determine Applicability of Rules: State and Federal
   2. Is it Hearsay?
   3. Is it Relevant?
   4. Reasons to Exclude
      1. Exclusion on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time
      2. Other Reasons Based on the Types of Evidence
         1. Character Evidence or Evidence of Habit
         2. On Subsequent Remedial Measures
         3. Of Witness Credibility
   5. Is the Evidence Authentic?
   6. Is There a Proper Foundation?
   7. If Evidence is a Writing, a Recording or a Photograph, is the Best Evidence Rule Satisfied?
   8. Admissibility of Evidence of Subsequent Remedial Measures
   9. Stipulations
   10. Proper Way to Introduce Items Into Evidence
2. HEARSAY OBJECTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
   10:15 - 11:15, Gabriel M. Haws
   1. Formal Exceptions to Hearsay
   2. FRE 801(d) Exceptions
   3. Anticipating and Minimizing Hearsay Objections
   4. Hearsay in the Direct Examination of Your Client: How to Elicit What You Need Without Inviting Hearsay
   5. Hearsay Problems When Your Client, or Opposing Party, is Deceased
   6. Hearsay in Medical Records: When it Comes in, When it Doesn't
   7. Recent Case Law
3. WITNESSES
   11:15 - 12:15, Wyatt B. Johnson
   1. Qualification
   2. Opinions and Firsthand Knowledge
   3. Deposition/Examination Procedure
   4. Impeachment
      1. Prior Inconsistent Statements/Contradiction
      2. Bias
      3. Character-Related
      4. Other
   5. Dealing With Missing Witnesses, Evidence and Documents
   6. Disclosures to Opposing Counsel
   7. Complying With the Scheduling Order
4. ETHICS
   1:15 - 2:15, Matthew T. Christensen
   1. Facilitating Efficiency, Reliability and Overall Fairness of the Adversary Process
   2. Privileges Under Rule 502(d)
   3. Abusive Litigation Practices and Their Remedies
   4. Keeping the Client Informed
   5. What to do When Your Client is Dishonest
5. EXPERT REPORTS AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
   2:15 - 3:15, Kent D. Jensen
   1. Assessing the Potential Weight of Scientific Evidence
   2. Qualifying Experts and Verifying Methodologies/Theories
   3. Admissibility of What You Give Your Expert
   4. The Logistics of Obtaining, Analyzing and Admitting Expert Opinion Reports
   5. Looking out for Red Flags and Errors
6. AUTHENTICATION, EXHIBITS AND COURTROOM PRESENTATION
   3:30 - 4:30, Kent D. Jensen
   1. Chain of Custody/Care and Handling/Spoliation
   2. Technical Methods of Preparing and Defending Motions in Limine
   3. Rules Regarding the Use of Demonstrative Exhibits
   4. Common Mistakes in Introducing Evidence and Testimony at Trial
   5. Presenting Deposition Records Without Boring Decision Makers to Tears
   6. Contemporaneous Objection Rule
   7. Curtailing Speaking Objections
   8. Bench (Sidebar) Conferences
   9. Instructing the Jury to Disregard Information When Objection is Sustained
   10. Practical Case Studies: Best Ways of Getting Evidence Excluded and Admitted

MATTHEW T. CHRISTENSEN is an attorney in the law firm of Angstman Johnson, where he represents clients in all aspects of business law, real estate and bankruptcy, including all aspects of litigation and transactional work. He also is an adjunct professor at Boise State University and the University of Idaho College of Law. Mr. Christensen teaches American government and international law courses at BSU, and international trade/business and real estate courses at the College of Law. He is an active member of the Idaho State Bar, currently serving as a member of the Business and Corporate Law Section Governing Council. Mr. Christensen also is a member of the Real Property and Commercial Law & Bankruptcy sections of the Idaho State Bar, and is involved with the American Bankruptcy Institute. He earned his B.A. degree from Brigham Young University, and his J.D. and LL.M. degrees from Duke University School of Law.

KENT D. JENSEN is a sole practitioner in Burley where he practices in the areas of criminal law, civil litigation, personal injury, immigration law, litigation and bankruptcy. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Utah State University and his J.D. degree from Brigham Young University. Mr. Jensen is a member of the Idaho State Bar, the Utah State Bar and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

WYATT B. JOHNSON is a member of the law firm of Angstman Johnson, where his practice focuses on civil litigation involving real property, land development, construction, contract and commercial law matters. Additionally, Mr. Johnson has a transactional practice involving real estate and related business ventures, and regularly practices before city and county planning and zoning authorities, as well as various state administrative agencies.

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

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Phone: 866-240-1890

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