Do your opening statements and closing arguments seem stale? Would you like to breathe new life into your trial techniques? Are you searching for some exciting new tips and strategies to jump-start your direct and cross-examinations? It doesn't matter whether you are a plaintiff or defense litigator, this information-packed resource will sharpen your skills and give you the competitive edge. Order today!

1. Using Jury Selection to Increase Your Success at Trial
2. Opening Statement - Setting the Stage for a Successful Verdict
3. Direct Examination - An Important Building Block to Your Case's Foundation
4. Using Demonstrative Evidence to Enhance Juror Understanding
5. Comprehensive Cross-Examination
6. Ethical Considerations
7. Putting Together a Powerful Closing Argument

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. USING JURY SELECTION TO INCREASE YOUR SUCCESS AT TRIAL
   9:00 - 10:00, Amy Groves Lowe
1. How to Prepare for Selecting the Best Jury for Your Client
2. How to Make a Credible and Meaningful Connection With Prospective Jurors
3. How to Uncover Attitudes, Biases and Values That May Impact Your Case
4. Voir Dire and the Art of Asking the Right Questions
5. Questions to Ask the Jury
6. How to Get Jurors Talking
7. The Importance of Active Listening During Voir Dire
8. Challenges for Cause
9. Limitations on the Use of Preemptory Challenges
10. Tools and Techniques That Can Help You Select the Right Jury
11. Using Jury Surveys and Questionnaires to Improve Your Success
2. OPENING STATEMENT - SETTING THE STAGE FOR A SUCCESSFUL VERDICT
   10:15 - 11:00, Amy Groves Lowe
1. You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a Good First Impression - Ways to Ensure a Great Start
2. Compelling Openings That Make the Jury Want You to Win
3. The Art of Telling the Full Story in Your Opening
4. Importance of the Delivery of Your Opening Statement
3. DIRECT EXAMINATION - AN IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCK TO YOUR CASE'S FOUNDATION
   11:00 - 12:00, Walton J. Barnes II
1. Tips for Preparing for Direct Examination
2. Formulating Effective Questions That Get Results
3. Presenting Testimony in a Natural, Yet Logical Manner
4. Assisting Your Witness in Persuasively Delivering Their Testimony
5. Setting Up for Cross-Examination During Direct Examination
6. Handling and Introducing Exhibits
7. Special Considerations for Direct Examination of Expert Witnesses
8. Authentication of Documents
9. Difficulties Encountered With Direct Examination
4. USING DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE TO ENHANCE JUROR UNDERSTANDING
   1:00 - 1:45, Marvin C. Gros
1. Laying the Foundation for Demonstrative Evidence During Direct Examination
2. How and When to Request Admission for Evidence
3. Is Your Demonstrative Evidence Admissible?
4. Using Photo, Audio and Video Recordings to Support Your Case
5. Demonstrating Injuries to the Jury
6. Savvy Ways to Keep an Exhibit From Being Entered Into Evidence
5. COMPREHENSIVE CROSS-EXAMINATION
   1:45 - 2:35, Marvin C. Gros
1. Should You Always Use Cross-Examination?
2. Developing Causes of Action and the Case Theme
3. Rules of Evidence You Need to Know
4. Plotting Your Strategy Beforehand
5. Selecting an Effective Sequence for Cross-Examination
6. Taking Control of the Cross-Examination
7. Destroying Safe Havens
8. Handling and Introducing Exhibits
9. Effective Cross-Examination of Experts
6. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
   2:50 - 3:50, Walton J. Barnes II
1. Conflicts of Interest
2. Handling Prejudicial Evidence
3. Talking to Witnesses Before They Testify
4. The Rules of Professional Conduct
7. PUTTING TOGETHER A POWERFUL CLOSING ARGUMENT
   3:50 - 4:30, Walton J. Barnes II
1. Anatomy of a Persuasive Closing Argument
2. Using Body Language to Make Your Point
3. How Pace and Tempo Can Bolster Your Case
4. Problem Solving With Your Closing Argument
5. Effective Use of Analogies, Fables, Metaphors and the Like
6. Pitfalls to Avoid When Making Closing Arguments

WALTON J. BARNES II is principal in the Baton Rouge office of Walton J. Barnes II, A Professional Law Corporation, where he has a trial practice with an emphasis on personal injury and family litigation. He wrote "Recent Developments" for the Family Law Section of the Louisiana State Bar Journal and has lectured frequently for National Business Institute, the Louisiana State Bar Association and professional organizations on personal injury and family law. Mr. Barnes also has lectured at Loyola and Southern University and at Baton Rouge College for paralegal courses. He earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Louisiana State University.

MARVIN C. GROS is a sole practitioner in Donaldsonville, where he practices in the areas of trial work with personal injury, auto accidents, wrongful death and Social Security. He has lectured for the Louisiana Bar Foundation and the Louisiana State Bar Association to raise money to help provide free legal services for those who cannot afford it. Mr. Gros earned his B.S. degree from Nicholls State University and his J.D. degree from Southern University. He is a cornerstone member of the Louisiana Bar Foundation, the 23rd Judicial District Bar Association, and the Louisiana Association of Justice (Auto Torts).

AMY GROVES LOWE is a partner in the Baton Rouge firm of Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, L.L.P. Ms. Groves Lowe has a general litigation practice, with specific emphases in the areas of commercial litigation, insurance defense, employment and labor law, and toxic torts. She has spoken on risk management and strategic planning to nonprofit groups. Ms. Groves Lowe also has spoken on jury selection, employment and labor issues and civil litigation skills to legal professionals. She earned her B.S., M.A. and J.D. degrees from Louisiana State University. Ms. Groves Lowe is a member of the Insurance Law Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Association of Defense Council and the Defense Research Institute. She also is a member of the American Bar Association and the Baton Rouge Bar Association.

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