Have you perfected your process of trial preparation into an art of war? Are you getting all you can out of the opportunities witnesses and opposing counsel let slip during trial? Do your juries leave the courtroom wanting to reach the verdict that you've clearly stated you want? Take your courtroom presentation skills to the next level of excellence with this strategic guide. Order today!

1. Voir Dire/Jury Selection Strategies
2. Opening Statements and Direct Examination
3. Cross-Examination and Redirect – Focus on Experts and Evidence
4. Effective Exhibits and Courtroom Technology
5. Summations and Jury Instructions
6. Roundtable Discussion

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. VOIR DIRE AND JURY SELECTION STRATEGIES
   9:00 - 10:00, Written by James R. Jarrow. Panel Discussion
   1. Preparing for Jury Selection – Researching Your “Target Audience”
      (Venue, Juror Pool Demographics, Creating Your “Ideal Juror,” Drafting Surveys/Questionnaires, etc.)
   2. Preparing the Pre-Trial Order
   3. Introducing Your Case During Jury Selection
   4. Bringing to the Surface and Overcoming Juror and Judicial Biases
   5. Reading the Vital Non-Verbal Signals Jurors are Sending
   6. Peremptory and For-Cause Challenge Tactics
2. OPENING STATEMENTS AND DIRECT EXAMINATION
   10:15 - 11:30, Written by James R. Jarrow. Panel Discussion
   1. Maximizing the Impact of Opening Statements
      (Introducing Case Theme and Key Case Parties; Laying out the Sequence of Events; Introducing Supporting and Damaging Evidence; Preparing Judge and Jury to Focus on Specific Elements of Trial Presentation; Opening Techniques That Simply Don't Work, Cutting Out Unnecessary Clutter)
   2. Preparation Tips for Direct Examination
      (Establishing the Main Theme; Organizing the Order of Testimony; Preparing Witnesses; Formulating Effective Questions)
   3. Areas of Direct Examination
      (Specific Approaches to Impeachment, Fact Testimony, Expert Testimony, Causation, Liability, Damages, Foundation, etc.)
   4. Persuasive Witness Testimony – How to:
      1. Develop the Story and Make it Interesting
      2. Integrate a Theme
      3. Adjust to the Specific Audience
      4. Limit the Scope
      5. Handle and Introduce Exhibits
      6. Authenticate Documents
      7. Humanize Your Witness
      8. Anticipate and Neutralize Cross-Examination
   5. Is Interim Commentary Allowed? How to Use it Well
3. CROSS-EXAMINATION AND REDIRECT – FOCUS ON EXPERTS AND EVIDENCE
   11:30 - 12:15, Marcos A. Barbosa
   1. Advance Uses of Basic Cross-Exam Tools: Bias, Opportunity to Observe, Inconsistency, etc.
   2. Tips for Cross-Examining Difficult Lay Witnesses
   3. Opposing Experts in the Courtroom – Setting Up the Motion to Strike
      1. Timing/Sequence
      2. Phrasing
      3. Detailed Facts
      4. Psychological Components
      5. Advanced Techniques for Getting an Expert Disqualified
   4. Making and Responding to Objections
   5. Relevancy Issues
   6. Addressing Hearsay
   7. Redirect Examination – Taking Advantage of the Often-Overlooked Resource
4. EFFECTIVE EXHIBITS AND COURTROOM TECHNOLOGY
   1:15 - 2:30, Koriambanya S. Carew and Marcos A. Barbosa
   1. Overcoming Fear and Confronting Technology
   2. Preparing for the Digital Trial
      1. Digital Case Storage and Organization
      2. Authentication of Documents
      3. Document/Exhibit Organization
      4. Preparing the Courtroom and Conditioning the Jury
      5. Blending Technology Use Into Your Presentation for Seamless Delivery
   3. Choosing the Right Method and Form of Exhibit
      (Physical vs. Image; Actual vs. Demonstrative; Budget; Setting; Venue; Subject Matter; Order of Proof; Presenter's Style and Preferences; Comfort Level With Technology)
   4. Does Each of Your Exhibits Pass the 8-Point Test?
   5. What Can the Opposing Counsel do With the Evidence I Introduce?
   6. Video Depositions (Prior Testimony)
      1. Advantages and Pitfalls
      2. When to Use
      3. Rules of Completeness
      4. Objections
      5. Fairness
5. SUMMATIONS AND JURY INSTRUCTIONS
   2:45 - 3:45, Koriambanya S. Carew
   1. What to Include
   2. Length and Style Tactics
   3. Use of Pace and Voice Inflection to Emphasize Key Elements
   4. Addressing the Weak Points of the Case
   5. The Verdict Sheet/Jury Instructions – Clearly Asking for What You Want
6. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
   3:45 - 4:30, All Faculty
   1. Handling Surprises at Trial – What to do When Unfavorable Facts Surface
   2. Lessons Learned From Experience – Share Your Trial Tips and Techniques

MARCOS A. BARBOSA is a member in the law firm of Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, L.L.C., where he has been involved in various areas of practice, with emphasis placed in the areas of product liability, general civil and commercial litigation, as well as toxic tort litigation. Mr. Barbosa is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of Missouri, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Supreme Court of Kansas and the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. Mr. Barbosa is a member of the American, National, Kansas, Jackson County and Kansas City Metropolitan bar associations and the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. He earned his B.A. degree from Mid-America Nazarene University and his J.D. degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.

KORIAMBANYA S. CAREW is a member in the law firm of Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, L.L.C., where she focuses her practice on various aspects of tort liability, product liability and employment litigation. She has 1st and 2nd chair trial experience and defends individuals and corporations in all phases of litigation. Ms. Carew's experience includes representing one of the world's largest retailers in a variety of tort claims. Her labor and employment experience includes having worked extensively with unions, negotiating and revising employee policies to comply with federal and state law, and investigating and defending claims of discrimination before administrative agencies and in civil litigation. She continues to represent clients through all phases of litigation in employment cases once a lawsuit is initiated. Ms. Carew earned her B.A. degree from Westmar University and her J.D. degree from Drake University Law School. She is a member of the American (House of Delegates, Member (2007-2009), The Missouri Bar (YLS Council (Member, 2006-2009; Executive Board Member, 2007-2009); member of Committee on Minority Issues, Gender and Justice Committee, Civil Practice and Procedure Section, Labor and Employment Law Section, Tort Law Section), Jackson County (President (2008 & 2009); Executive Board Member 2001-Present), and Kansas City Metropolitan (Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors (2007); YLS Public Service Committee; Public Service Committee) bar associations. She is also a member of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers where she serves on the board, Association of Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City (Board Member 2007), and Earl E. O'Connor Inn of Court (Board Member 2009-2010). Ms. Carew actively serves at Mercy Church KC, and is a board member in NewHouse Women's Shelter and the Kansas City Alliance Against Human Trafficking.

JAMES R. JARROW is a partner in the law firm of Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, L.L.C., with offices in Missouri and Kansas. He regularly tries lawsuits, as he practices in civil litigation in both state and federal courts. Mr. Jarrow serves as national trial counsel and regional trial counsel for several clients. He has lectured to various professional groups on litigation issues. Mr. Jarrow is the editor of The Missouri Bar's Professional Negligence Section of the Court's bulletin.

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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