Soft tissue injury cases are some of the toughest to litigate. Both sides can have a legitimate argument, but how do you best help your client? Knowing the liability, theory and strategy of both sides can help you develop an action plan so you can successfully litigate these cases. This essential instruction delves into preparation, case building and trial strategies for both the defense and plaintiff sides of the argument. You'll also look at settlement options and find out when it's the best option for your client. Order today!

1. Preparing the Plaintiff's Personal Injury Case
2. Building the Defense's Case
3. Settling the Injury Case
4. Standing on Ethical Ground
5. Effective Trial Strategies for the Plaintiff
6. Fundamental Trial Techniques for the Defense

1. PREPARING THE PLAINTIFF'S PERSONAL INJURY CASE
   9:00 - 10:15, Written by David Sampson and presented by Robert E. Murdock.
   1. Key Areas to Cover in the Initial Interview
   2. Evaluating the Case
   3. Building the Attorney-Client Relationship
   4. Conducting a Thorough Case Investigation
   5. Establishing Liability
   6. Special Liability Issues in Soft Tissue Injury Claims
   7. The Difficult Job of Proving Pain
   8. Damages - Burns, Scars, Closed Head Injuries, Strains and Sprains and Emotional Injuries
2. BUILDING THE DEFENSE'S CASE
   10:30 - 11:30, Kevin S. Smith
   1. Effective Case Evaluation
   2. How to Conduct a Thorough Case Investigation
   3. Establishing a Strong Defense in the Pleadings
   4. Unique Discovery Strategies When Defending a Soft Tissue Injury Claim
   5. Using Pretrial Motions to Your Advantage
   6. Offer of Judgment
3. SETTLING THE INJURY CASE
   11:30 - 12:30, Josh Cole Aicklen
   1. Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolutions/Mediation
   2. Structured Settlements
   3. Lien Considerations to Be Aware Of
   4. What to Look for in Judicially Supervised Settlements
   5. Drafting Effective Settlement Documents
   6. Releases, Partial Settlements and Assignments
   7. Recent Legislative Developments
4. STANDING ON ETHICAL GROUND
   1:30 - 2:30, Written by David Sampson and presented by Robert E. Murdock.
   1. Rules of Professional Conduct
   2. The Tripartite Relationship Among Insured, Insurer and Counsel
   3. Conflicts of Interest
   4. Attorneys' Fees and Charges
   5. Dealing With the "Excess Claim"
5. EFFECTIVE TRIAL STRATEGIES FOR THE PLAINTIFF
   2:45 - 3:45, Sam A. Harding
   1. Rules of the Road
   2. Voir Dire
   3. Opening
   4. Direct Exam
   5. Cross Exam
   6. Closing
6. FUNDAMENTAL TRIAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE DEFENSE
   3:45 - 4:30, Josh Cole Aicklen
   1. Trial Considerations, Risks and Pre-Trial Motions
   2. Jury or Nonjury - Defense Considerations
   3. Using Expert Witnesses to Disprove the Claim
   4. Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses
   5. Witness Preparation and Presentation of Evidence
   6. Handling Motions and Appeals
   7. Post-Trial Issues

JOSH COLE AICKLEN is a partner in the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. He has more than 20 years of experience litigating cases in Nevada and in California State and Federal courts. Mr. Aicklen practices in the areas of general liability litigation defense in automobile, trucking and motorcycle cases; premises liability/negligent security and products liability. His other practice areas include business and securities litigation; environmental and toxic tort litigation including mold, asbestos and VOC's; and the investigation and litigation of fraudulent claims. He has also litigated Section 1983 and Bivens actions in the State and Federal courts since 1990. Mr. Aicklen is a member of the Clark County Bar Association, the State Bar of Nevada, the State Bar of California and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar. He earned his B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Whittier College School of Law.

SAM A. HARDING is a partner in the law firm of Bourgault & Harding, where he practices in the areas of plaintiff personal injury, including serious personal injury cases (wrongful death and brain injury), product liability, insurance bad faith and medical malpractice. Prior to practicing in the areas of plaintiff personal injury, he had more than 15 years of experience as an insurance defense attorney. Mr. Harding is an associate of the American Board of Trial Advocacy and a member of the American Bar Association and the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association. He has tried more than 100 jury trials. Mr. Harding earned his B.A. degree from Oklahoma State, his M.B.A. degree from Southern Illinois University and his J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma.

ROBERT E. MURDOCK is the owner of the Murdock & Associates, Chtd. Mr. Murdock has worked as a plaintiff attorney in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years. The focus of his representation is of catastrophically injured persons, including death and dismemberment. Mr. Murdock is involved in a lot of multidistrict litigation and many of his cases are high profile and involve challenging issues of law. He has won tens of millions of dollars from juries and settlements. Mr. Murdock received his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. He is a member of the Nevada Bar Association. Mr. Murdock practices before the Nevada Supreme Court and Federal Court.

KEVIN S. SMITH is of counsel with the Las Vegas law firm of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, where he practices in the areas of civil litigation, insurance defense and premises liability. Mr. Smith earned his B.A. degree from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. While in law school, he worked as a legal assistant. Mr. Smith is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the State Bar of Nevada.

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