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, Gregory W. Odom II
   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, Kenya M. Leonard and Katrina M. Sroka
   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, Sharon Brooner
   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, Sharon Brooner
   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, Melissa F. Curry
   1. Choosing ON-Site Location
   2. Preparation of and Set-Up of On-Site Work-Room
   3. How to Get to Court
   4. Preparing Your Attorney for Court
   5. Daily Routine and Recap
6. SUCCEEDING AT TRIAL
   3:15 - 4:30, Lori A. Snead
   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

SHARON BROONER is a litigation paralegal and has worked for the law firm of Pitzer Snodgrass, P.C., in St. Louis for the past 13 years. She works mainly on the defense side of personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, and construction litigation. Ms. Brooner has a certificate in Paralegal Studies as well as her B.A. degree from Webster University in St. Louis. She is currently a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants and the St. Louis Paralegal Association f/k/a St Louis Association of Legal Assistants and has served for SPA f/k/a SALLA in the past as program director, treasurer, NAL liaison, president elect and president. Ms. Brooner is currently a faculty member for the Institute for Paralegal Education.

KENYA M. LEONARD is a paralegal with the firm Pitzer Snodgrass, P.C., where she specializes in civil defense litigation and holds the job responsibilities of medical research; legal and factual research; investigations; witness lists and exhibits; trial notebooks; deposition schedules and summaries; coordinates and manages document production; locates and interviews witnesses and experts; organizes pleadings and trial exhibits; assist lawyers at trial; gathers and reviews medical records; maintains general client contact and handles all aspects of the case from initial client contact, to trial preparation and participation. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her M.A. degree and Graduate Paralegal Certificate from Webster University. Ms. Leonard is a member of the St. Louis Paralegal Association (Volunteer Paralegals Committee Chair 2008-2009; Director and Volunteer Paralegal Committee Chair 2009-2010;  President-Elect, Volunteer Paralegals Committee Chair and Programs & Education Chair 2010-2011; Paralegal Annual Luncheon Planning Committee 2008-2011). Ms. Leonard is also a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants and Mound City Bar Association. She is an adjunct instructor at ITT Technical Institute in their paralegal program as well as a member of their Curriculum Advisory Board.

LORI A. SNEAD is a litigation team leader/senior litigation paralegal at the law firm of Brown & Crouppen, P.C. Ms. Snead earned her associates degree in paralegal studies from Southwestern Illinois College. Her areas of specialization include plaintiff litigation/personal injury including premises, MVA, products liability, dog bites, food poisoning and asbestos. Ms. Snead handles all aspects of a case from the initial client contact to trial preparation and participation. She conducts medical research, legal and factual research, investigations and client interviews. Ms. Snead prepares pleadings, memoranda, witness lists and exhibits, trial notebooks, demand and settlement documents and deposition schedules and summaries. As a litigation team leader, she provides guidance and support to a staff of litigation paralegals and legal assistants involved in prosecuting lawsuits.

KATRINA M. SROKA is a paralegal at the law firm of Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young LLP. Ms. Sroka specializes in the areas of toxic tort, product liability and ADA. She handles all aspects of the case from initial client contact to trial preparation and participation. Ms. Sroka conducts medical research and legal and factual research. She prepares pleadings, memoranda and briefs, witness lists and exhibits, demand and settlement documents, and deposition schedules and summaries. She earned her B.S. degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Ms. Sroka earned an A.A.S. degree from Southwestern Illinois College in sign language interpretation and an A.A.S. degree from Lewis & Clark Community College in paralegal studies. She is a member of the St. Louis Paralegal 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