There is an inconsistency between the reality of legal practice and how it is viewed by the rest of the world, including all the non-legal professionals involved in your cases: witnesses, clients, juries, etc. This engaging legal course explores the ties that bind law and popular culture to help you reconcile the differences and become a more effective attorney. Study the myths and truths about lawyers and the legal system and the effect they have on the success of your cases. Get experienced attorneys' tactics for re-educating juries and clients, and learn the very real and practical legal lessons art can teach – order today!

1. Depictions of Law and Attorneys in Popular Culture
2. Current Trends Shaping the Law: The Structure of our Society - Changing Tides
3. Countering Common Misconceptions and False Expectations
4. Real Advocacy Lessons from Fiction
5. For the People – Pro-Se Litigants
6. Illustrated Legal Ethics

Depictions of Law and Attorneys in Popular Culture
9:00 - 10:00, Gregory A. Hubbard

• In Literature and Music
  (history of law in literature, lawyer thrillers, gangster rap, etc.)
• In Movies
  (westerns and gangster films, courtroom dramas, historic films, comedies, etc.)
• On TV
  (courtroom reality shows, documentaries, CSI and other crime dramas, law in the news, etc.)
• In Folklore and Online Viral Pop Culture
  (jokes and urban legends, blogs, YouTube, and others)

Current Trends Shaping the Law: The Structure of our Society - Changing Tides
10:00 - 10:45, Peggy K. Little

• Internet Interactions
• School Expectations
• Family Foundations

Countering Common Misconceptions and False Expectations
11:00 - 12:00, F. Anthony Paganelli

• The Rift Between Law and Justice
• The Timeline of the Case – Do TV Crime Dramas Make Us Impatient?
• Case Management
• Prevalence of Forensic Evidence
  • When and How it is Used
  • How Long it Takes to Get Results
  • How Conclusive (Unambiguous) the Results Are
• The Roles of the Professionals Involved in the Case
  • Attorneys
  • Expert Witnesses
  • Investigators
  • Judges
  • Random Unqualified but Highly Motivated People
• Allowed Questions and Conduct in Depositions
• Acceptable Attorney Contact with Witnesses and Other Interested Parties
• Following the Proper Legal Procedure
• Courtroom Proceedings and Case Presentation Techniques
  • Bullying Tactics in the Courtroom
  • On-the-Stand Confessions
  • Witness Examination – Asking Improper Questions and Making Long Speeches, and Getting Just a Slap on the Wrist for It
• Bad Habits Lawyers Pick up from TV and Movies

Real Advocacy Lessons from Fiction
1:00 - 2:00, Peggy K. Little

• Simplifying Complex Concepts without "Dumbing" It Down
• Reading Body Language - Learn from Actors
• Employing Sociolinguistics to Persuade
• Borrowing from the Best – What Does Work in Litigation

For the People – Pro-Se Litigants
2:00 - 3:15, Gregory A. Hubbard

• The Plain English Movement
• Free Legal Advice Forums
• Attorneys Ghostwriting Legal Documents for Pro Se Litigants – The Boundaries of Attorney-Client Relationship
• Pro Se Litigants: Coming to a Courtroom Near You! – Litigating Against Self-Representing Parties

Illustrated Legal Ethics
3:30 - 4:30, David J. Hensel

• Attorney/Client Relationship
• Loyalty
• Guarding Confidentiality and Privileged Information
• Competency
• Civility
• Conflicts of Interest

DAVID J. HENSEL is an attorney at Pence Hensel LLC. Mr. Hensel routinely practices in the areas of complex criminal and civil litigation, in both state and federal courts, and represents clients involved in a variety of environmental, professional and other regulatory matters. He also represents corporations and individuals in white collar criminal prosecutions and investigations and other regulatory matters. Mr. Hensel regularly represents attorneys, doctors and other professionals in disciplinary and ethical matters, including proceedings before the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, the Indiana State Licensing Board and the Indiana State Ethics Committee. He has been litigating cases since 1988 and has been recognized as one of Indiana's "Super Lawyers" and named a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation, the definitive guide to American's leading business litigators. Mr. Hensel earned his B.A. degree from Wabash College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Indiana University Maurer School of Law - Bloomington.

GREGORY A. HUBBARD is an attorney with Cruser, Mitchell, & Gaston, LLC, where his main areas of practice are general civil litigation practice with particular attention in the areas of insurance defense, motor carrier transportation and product liability. Mr. Hubbard has drafted summary judgment briefs and other motions, participated in depositions, negotiated settlements, participated in federal and state court hearings, drafted and responded to written discovery, valued cases, interacted on a weekly basis with national insurance company clients, and performed extensive legal research on complex issues. He is a teacher for family law classes for Nevada Legal Clinic. Mr. Hubbard has taught undergraduate theology courses for institute in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a member of the Indiana State and National bar associations, and is admitted to practice in Indiana and before the U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern districts of Indiana. Mr. Hubbard earned his B.A. and Master's degrees from Cincinnati Christian University, and his J.D. degree from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas.

PEGGY K. LITTLE is a sole practitioner located in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has been a practicing attorney in the state of Indiana for more than six years. Her experience includes civil litigation, workers' compensation and the enforcement and drafting of covenants and by-laws for homeowner associations. Ms. Little is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indianapolis State Bar Association. She is listed on the 2008 Metropolitan Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women. Ms. Little earned her B.S. degree from the University of Indianapolis and her J.D. degree from Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. 

F. ANTHONY PAGANELLI is a partner in the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. Mr. Paganelli is a courtroom lawyer and concentrates his trial and arbitration practice in the areas of business litigation, criminal defense, real estate/construction litigation, and bankruptcy/debtor-creditor litigation. He has significant lead counsel experience in trials and preliminary injunction matters, and has represented clients ranging from individuals to public companies in courts in 12 different states. Mr. Paganelli was selected by Law & Politics Magazine as an "Indiana Rising Star" in 2009 and 2010. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law - Bloomington. Mr. Paganelli is a member of the American, Indiana State and Indianapolis bar associations and the Indianapolis Foundation.

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