You're just weeks away from litigating your first civil trial. And, like many new attorneys, you find you have more questions than answers as you face the challenge of how to be successful in the courtroom. You're seeking a way to quickly sharpen your trial skills and minimize your stress so you can walk into court confident and prepared.

This practical introduction will give you hands-on solutions that will quickly improve all the critical aspects of your performance as a civil litigator - little-known methods they didn't teach you in law school. Get up to speed fast on how to effectively handle every surprise and setback in the trial, from start to finish, without blinking an eye. Don't miss this opportunity to benefit from the experience of seasoned attorneys who have shared their secrets to being the best, no matter how tough the opposition. Thoroughly prepare for trial so you can prevail in the courtroom. Follow crucial courtroom protocol in order to avoid embarrassment. Select the right jury for your case, cross-examine witnesses and use many more techniques that will take the pressure off you in your first trial - and ensure you conduct yourself like a veteran attorney.

1. Plan and Prepare for Trial
2. Avoid Common Ethical Pitfalls
3. Know Protocol When You Arrive in Court
4. Select the Right Jury for Your Case
5. Win With the Most Successful Litigation Strategies
6. Be Ready for Anything That Happens in Court

1. PLAN AND PREPARE FOR TRIAL
   9:00 - 10:00, Valerie B. Bargas
   1. Know the Types of Civil Litigation Cases
   2. How to Select a Case and Choose a Theme
   3. Add "Persuasion Power" to Initial Pleadings and Motions
   4. Understand the Basics of Effective Discovery
   5. Are You Making the Most of Depositions?
   6. Tips for Selecting Evidence and Preparing Exhibits
   7. Outline and Create a Successful Trial Strategy
   8. Checklist - What to Bring With You to Court
   9. Tactics for Preparing Witnesses for Trial
2. AVOID COMMON ETHICAL PITFALLS
   10:15 - 11:15, Valerie B. Bargas
   1. Rules of Professional Conduct You Must Follow
   2. What You Need to Know About Advocates
   3. Your Obligation to Keep Your Client Informed
   4. Use Meritorious Claims and Contentions for Your Client's Benefit
   5. Candor Toward the Tribunal: Avoid False Statements at All Cost!
3. KNOW PROTOCOL WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN COURT
   11:15 - 12:15, Matthew W. Pryor
   1. How a Case Moves Through Court
   2. When to Stand and When to Sit
   3. Avoid Common Mistakes Made by New Attorneys
   4. The Strategies of Seasoned Litigators - Revealed
   5. Jury vs. Bench Trials: What's the Difference?
4. SELECT THE RIGHT JURY FOR YOUR CASE
   1:15 - 2:15, Matthew W. Pryor
   1. Voir Dire: Know What You're Doing!
   2. FAQs About Jury Questionnaires
   3. A Crash Course on Jury Instructions
5. WIN WITH THE MOST SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION STRATEGIES
   3:30 - 4:30, John W. Redmann
   1. Deliver an Opening Statement That Grabs the Jury
   2. Get Your Evidence In and Keep the Opposition's Out
   3. Winning Direct Examination Techniques
   4. What Not to Do When in Cross-Examination of Witnesses
   5. How and When to Object
   6. Persuade Every Juror With a Can't-Miss Closing Argument
   7. Your Job When the Verdict is Announced
   8. How Damages are Calculated in Civil Suits
   9. Skillfully Handle Post-Trial Issues
      1. Your Options When Collecting Judgments
      2. Procedures for Appealing Jury Verdicts
6. BE READY FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN COURT
   1:15 - 2:15, John W. Redmann
   1. How the Best of the Best Handle Surprises
   2. When and How to Make Modifications During Trial
   3. Project Confidence When Things go Wrong

VALERIE B. BARGAS is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kinchen Walker Bienvenu Bargas & Reed, LLC. She has concentrated her litigation practice in the areas of casualty defense (automobile, premises liability, work-related injuries), insurance defense (uninsured motorist law, bad faith claims, and coverage disputes), and medical malpractice defense. Ms. Bargas also handles estate planning, successions, and corporate law issues relevant to LLC formation and dissolution. She is a member of the Louisiana State, American and Federal bar associations and the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel. Ms. Bargas earned her A.B. degree, cum laude, from Smith College and her J.D degree from Tulane University.

MATTHEW W. PRYOR is a partner in the law firm of Pujol & Pryor in Gonzales. He has practiced in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation, insurance defense and subrogation since 1995. Mr. Pryor is a member of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel. He serves as an adjunct professor of paralegal studies at River Parish Community College. Mr. Pryor has spoken for the 23rd Judicial District Bar Association and for National Business Institute on issues relating to insurance law. He earned his B.C.J. degree and his J.D. degree from Louisiana State University. Mr. Pryor is a member of the Louisiana State and the 23rd Judicial District bar associations.

JOHN W. REDMANN is a sole practitioner in New Orleans. Mr. Redmann is a treasurer of the "Bench and Bar" section of the Louisiana State Bar Association and has been awarded the Marquis' Who's Who in American Law. He is general counsel with the International School of Louisiana (2000 - 2005). Mr. Redmann is a member of the Meridian Group, LLC (past vice-president, consultant, and general counsel). He also is a member of the Celtic Club of New Orleans (est. 1932): first vice-president (present); president (1998-1999), the Young Leadership Counsel - New Orleans, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (diplomat, 1991), the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, New Orleans Academy of Trial Lawyers (faculty, Tulane University School of Continuing Studies) (2009). Mr. Redmann instructed "Advanced Litigation II" course. He is a legal-political correspondent/director of Selection Committee for Hispanic of the Month for Herencia Hispana Publications. Mr. Redmann is a Weekly Legal Commentator for New Orleans Hispanic television show, De Todo un Poco. He is a member of the A.P. Tureaud Inn of Court, American Association for Justice and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Mr. Redmann is a previous faculty for the PrimeTime Legal, Inc. as CLE instructor (1999). He is the first vice-president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana (HCCL) (1999-2001, 2001-2003), as well as "HCCL's" general counsel from inception in 1998 through 2005. Mr. Redmann is a diplomate for the American Association for Justice- Advanced Depositions College, Feb 2009. He is a fellow with the Louisiana Bar Foundation and a charter member of the A. P. Tureaud Inns of Court, New Orleans (2005).

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