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 - 10:00, Martin T. Galvin
   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
   10:00 - 11:00, Bradley J. Barmen
   1. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Litigation vs. Chronological Notebook
   2. Key Sections and Their Development
   3. Cross-Referencing
3. PREPARING YOUR WITNESSES
   11:15 - 12:15, Martin T. Galvin
   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
   1:15 - 2:15, Bradley J. Barmen
   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
   2:30 - 3:30, Michelle Cutwright Sztul
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
   3:30 - 4:30, Michelle Cutwright Sztul
   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

BRADLEY J. BARMEN is an attorney with Mannion & Gray, Co. L.P.A in Cleveland, where his practice includes representing clients in complex commercial, labor and employment, and real estate litigation. He also represents several Ohio-based trucking and logistics firms relative to PUCO regulations, and state and federal DOT compliance. Mr. Barmen has extensive trial experience on both the state and municipal court level, and also has handled numerous arbitrations, mediations, and administrative hearings. He earned his B.A. degree from Cleveland State University and his J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Mr. Barmen is a member of the American, Ohio State, Cuyahoga County and Cleveland bar associations.

MICHELLE CUTWRIGHT SZTUL is a litigation paralegal with Frantz Ward LLP. She has been a member of the litigation and trial team at Frantz Ward LLP, since the firm's inception in 2000. Ms. Cutwright Sztul routinely provides support in the areas of legal research, discovery, document reviews, drafting and filing of complaints, and assisting in all aspects of litigation and trial preparation. Her areas of practice include litigation, and working with construction, health care, insurance, labor and employment, product liabillity, personal injury and real estate groups. Ms. Cutwright Sztul earned her B.S. degree from Lake Erie College. Prior to joining Frantz Ward LLP, she worked with Judith A. Carlin, Attorney at Law in Cleveland, Ohio from 1995 - 1997; and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office from 1997 - 2000. Ms. Cutwright Sztul is proficient in MS Office, Windows XP, Sanction Trial Software, Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, Timemap, Summation Blaze LG Gold Version 2, ProLaw Software, Extranet Case Management Software and PowerPoint.

MARTIN T. GALVIN is a partner in the law firm of Reminger Co., L.P.A., where he practices in the areas of professional liability litigation, commercial litigation, and appellate practice. Previously, he served as law clerk at both the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals. Mr. Galvin frequently lectures for the National Business Institute and other professional groups on various topics, including legal writing, professional liability issues, trial preparation, insurance coverage matters, and appellate practice. In 2005, he was recognized as a Rising Star in Ohio by Law & Politics Magazine. Mr. Galvin is a member of the Ohio State, Cuyahoga County and Cleveland bar associations. He earned his B.A. degree from American University in Washington D.C. and his J.D. degree from The Ohio State University College of Law.

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