What are you willing to do to give your civil cases the best chances for success? The sure path to a favorable outcome – no matter if you're a novice or just need a refresher – is having a rock solid foundation in the basics. You'll never have two cases that are exactly the same, so you need to be able to easily manage the day-to-day issues in case something unusual comes your way. How do your civil trial skills stand up? Are you ready to deal with whatever situation arises?

Learn savvy civil practice skills easily! From the comfort of your desk, you'll get the knowledge you need to select the best jury for your case, deliver a compelling case at trial, knowledgeably handle post-trial issues and keep your practice on an even ethical keel. Order today!

1. How to Select the Right Jury for Your Case
2. How to Present Your Case at Trial
3. How to Handle Post-Trial Issues
4. How to Avoid Common Ethical Pitfalls

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT JURY FOR YOUR CASE
   9:00 - 11:00, Written and presented by David W. Hood in Asheville and Charlotte.
   1. Preparing for Jury Selection
   2. Uncovering Cultural and Prejudicial Biases
   3. FAQs About Jury Instructions
   4. Making a Connection With Potential Jurors
   5. Uncovering Attitudes, Biases and Values That May Impact Your Case
   6. The Art of Asking the Right Questions
   7. Importance of Active Listening
   8. Preemptory Challenges and Challenges for Cause
   9. Using Jury Surveys and Questionnaires
2. HOW TO PRESENT YOUR CASE AT TRIAL
   11:15 - 1:00, Written by John W. Ong.
   Presented by William A. Bulfer in Asheville and John W. Ong in Charlotte.
   1. Opening Statements - Effectively Delivering the Burden of Proof
   2. Effectively Using Evidence to Support Your Case
   3. Tips and Techniques for Direct Examination
   4. Successful Cross-Examination
   5. How and When to Make Objections
   6. Using Rebuttal to Cast Doubt on the Other Side
   7. Powerful Closing Arguments
3. HOW TO HANDLE POST-TRIAL ISSUES
   2:00 - 3:15, Written by William A. Bulfer.
   Presented by William A. Bulfer in Asheville and David W. Hood in Charlotte.
   1. Judgment - Where Do You Go From Here?
   2. Motions After the Verdict - What is Allowed in Your State?
   3. Appeals - What Constitutes Requesting a Higher Court's Review?
4. HOW TO AVOID COMMON ETHICAL PITFALLS
   3:30 - 4:30, Written by Scott M. Adams.
   Presented by Clifford C. Marshall Jr. in Asheville and Scott M. Adams in Charlotte.
   1. Handling Highly Prejudicial Evidence
   2. Handling Questions of Jurors During Voir Dire
   3. Talking to Witnesses Before They Testify
   4. Identifying and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

SCOTT M. ADAMS is a partner with the law firm of Patterson & Adams, PLLC, where his practice concentrates in the areas of personal injury and insurance law. He has lectured attorneys and paralegals on a variety of issues related to personal injury practice. Mr. Adams earned his B.A. degree from the College of William & Mary and his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University. He is a member of the Cabarrus County Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. (Charlotte location)

WILLIAM A. BULFER is an attorney with the law firm of Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP. Mr. Bulfer practices in the areas of civil defense litigation, insurance coverage and workers' compensation. He is a member of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (co-chair, Local Government Practice Section), the Defense Research Institute, the North Carolina State Bar, and the North Carolina and Buncombe County bar associations. Mr. Bulfer earned his B.A. degree from Purdue University and his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. (Asheville location)

DAVID W. HOOD is a member of the Hickory law office of Patrick Harper & Dixon LLP, where his main areas of practice are civil litigation, insurance defense, construction law and collections. Mr. Hood is past president of the 25th District Bar (Catawba, Caldwell, and Burke counties); a past president and current member of the Catawba County Bar Association; a member of the Catawba County Board of Elections; a member of the North Carolina Bar Association; a board member of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys; and a member of the Commercial Law League. He also serves as counsel to the Catawba Valley Chapter of the American Subcontractors Association and serves on the Tort Issues Task Force for the North Carolina Bar Association. Mr. Hood earned his B.A. degree and J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina. (Asheville and Charlotte locations)

CLIFFORD C. MARSHALL JR. is a shareholder with Marshall, Roth & Gregory and has served as president of the firm since 2007. His main areas of practice are commercial litigation, personal injury claims, business and real estate disputes, estate litigation, construction disputes, condemnation, and mediation. Mr. Marshall practices before all the courts of the state of North Carolina; the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; and The Cherokee Supreme Court, Eastern Band of Cherokee. He is a NCDRC Certified Superior Court Mediator. Mr. Marshall is a member of the North Carolina State Bar; North Carolina Advocates for Justice; Federal Civil Rules Committee, Western District of North Carolina; and Western District of North Carolina Committee on Local Rules for Patent Cases. He earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (Asheville location)

JOHN W. ONG is a partner with the firm of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His practice concentrates in cases involving major personal injury, head injuries and wrongful death. Mr. Ong also has proven himself to be particularly effective in handling cases that involve issues of complex medical causation. He has given seminars on head injuries, chiropractic issues, use of expert witnesses and trucking cases. Mr. Ong earned his B.A. degree from Connecticut College and his J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the Mecklenburg County and Maryland State bar associations, the North Carolina State Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Defense Research Institute. (Charlotte location)

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