The clock is ticking…and while you have meticulously planned out every detail up until this point, everything will continue to become more and more chaotic up until the day of trial. Ask any successful paralegal what the two key elements of trial preparation are, and they'll tell you this: organization and flexibility. When put to the test, are your skills everything they should be? Let us help you take a closer look at the specialized realm of paralegal responsibilities leading up to trial right from the convenience of your desk. Your role is important, so take the next step toward maximizing your effectiveness. Make sure you can confidently fulfill your key trial responsibilities – order these vital reference materials today!

1. Useful Discovery for Trial
2. Creating a Trial Notebook
3. Preparing Your Witnesses
4. Effective Use of Evidence
5. Preparing Your Office - What to do Before You set Foot in Court
6. Succeeding at Trial

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. USEFUL DISCOVERY FOR TRIAL
   9:00 - 9:45, Becky Dias Borthwick
   1. The Complaint
   2. Requests for Admission, Requests for Production and Interrogatories
   3. Bates Numbering
   4. Digesting, Abstracting and Indexing Depositions
2. CREATING A TRIAL NOTEBOOK
   9:45 - 10:45, Becky Dias Borthwick
   1. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Litigation vs. Chronological Notebook
   2. Key Sections and Their Development
   3. Cross-Referencing
3. PREPARING YOUR WITNESSES
   11:00 - 12:00, Laurel Stevenson
   1. Creating Witness Lists
   2. Trial vs. Deposition Preparation
   3. How Preparation Varies Between Clients, Non-Expert Witnesses and Experts
4. EFFECTIVE USE OF EVIDENCE
   1:00 - 2:00, Kayla Crouch
   1. Choosing Your Technological Direction
   2. The Power of the Exhibit List
   3. Preparing Documents and Demonstratives
5. PREPARING YOUR OFFICE - WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU SET FOOT IN COURT
   2:00 - 3:00, Kayla Crouch
1. Choosing ON-Site Location
2. Preparation of and Set-Up of On-Site Work-Room
3. Preparing for Court
4. Daily Recap and Preparing for What's Ahead
6. SUCCEEDING AT TRIAL
   3:15 - 4:30, Laurel Stevenson
   1. What if You Don't Go to Trial?
   2. Court Rules and Practices You Need to Know About
   3. Differences Between Federal vs. Local or County Court
   4. Assisting With Jury Selection
   5. Tips for Working in the Courtroom
      1. Anticipating the Needs of Your Attorney
      2. Working With Opposing Counsel, Court Staff and the Judge
   6. Surviving the Trial

BECKY DIAS BORTHWICK is a partner with Franke, Schultz & Mullen, P.C. She is an experienced litigator who has practiced in a variety of legal areas for 14 years, prior to joining Franke, Schultz & Mullen, P.C. Ms. Borthwick has argued before several states' appellate and supreme courts with favorable results. She has experience in areas as diverse as major condemnation cases, tort actions, construction defect, title insurance defense, Americans with Disabilities Act to workers' compensation, family law, criminal defense and bankruptcy. This varied background and experience provides a depth of understanding of the complexity of real-world legal issues. Ms. Borthwick's work has been recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly in 2004, when as an assistant attorney general, she had one of the top 25 cases of the year. She is licensed to practice in Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Ms. Borthwick is a member of The Missouri Bar, Louisiana State Bar Association, Nebraska State Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, Missouri Trial Lawyers Association, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and American Bar Association. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Missouri and her J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

KAYLA CROUCH is a paralegal with Corbett Law Firm, where her main are of specialization is personal injury. Her job responsibilities are client contact, discoveryand all other litigation duties. Ms. Crouch conducts medical research, legal and factual research, investigations, and client relations. She prepares pleadings, memoranda and briefs, witness lists and exhibits, trial notebooks, demand and settlement documents, and deposition schedules and summaries. She coordinates and manages document production, locates and interviews witnesses and experts, organizes pleadings and trial exhibits, assists lawyers at trial, gathers and reviews medical records, and maintains general client contact. Ms. Crouch has previously spoken at Springfield College (now Everest) after graduation. She earned her associates degree from Springfield College (now Everest).

LAUREL STEVENSON is of counsel for Lathrop & Gage LLP, in Springfield, Missouri, having previously served as the managing partner of a civil defense litigation firm. She has practiced for 22 years, handling catastrophic injury claims, property claims, and complex litigation in more than eight states, and tried more than 60 jury trials. Ms. Stevenson's practice has been primarily in Missouri, where she has defended individuals and business owners in actions involving farm implements, construction defects, premises liability, breach of contract and defective products. She is a frequent speaker and lecturer on early assessment of claims, valuing claims, and ethics in claims handling, and has also served as a mediator and arbitrator. Ms. Stevenson is admitted to practice before the Missouri Supreme Court and in all federal courts in Missouri. She also is admitted to practice in Iowa and Wisconsin, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ms. Stevenson is a member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, the Springfield Claims Association, the Transportation Lawyers Association, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and the American Bar Association. She earned her B.A. degree from Drury College and her J.D. degree from the University of Missouri.

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