You're just weeks away from litigating your first civil trial. And, like many new attorneys, you find you have more questions than answers as you face the challenge of how to be successful in the courtroom. You're seeking a way to quickly sharpen your trial skills and minimize your stress so you can walk into court confident and prepared.

This practical introduction will give you hands-on solutions that will quickly improve all the critical aspects of your performance as a civil litigator - little-known methods they didn't teach you in law school. Get up to speed fast on how to effectively handle every surprise and setback in the trial, from start to finish, without blinking an eye. Don't miss this opportunity to benefit from the experience of seasoned attorneys who have shared their secrets to being the best, no matter how tough the opposition. Thoroughly prepare for trial so you can prevail in the courtroom. Follow crucial courtroom protocol in order to avoid embarrassment. Select the right jury for your case, cross-examine witnesses and use many more techniques that will take the pressure off you in your first trial - and ensure you conduct yourself like a veteran attorney.

1. Plan and Prepare for Trial
2. Know Protocol When You Arrive in Court
3. Select the Right Jury for Your Case
4. Win With the Most Successful Litigation Strategies
5. Avoid Common Ethical Pitfalls
6. Be Ready for Anything That Happens in Court

1. PLAN AND PREPARE FOR TRIAL
   9:00 - 10:15, Written by John L. Antel. Presented by Jack B. Cooper in Akron and John L. Antel in Cleveland.
   1. Know the Types of Civil Litigation Cases
   2. How to Select a Case and Choose a Theme
   3. Add "Persuasion Power" to Initial Pleadings and Motions
   4. Understand the Basics of Effective Discovery
   5. Are You Making the Most of Depositions?
   6. Tips for Selecting Evidence and Preparing Exhibits
   7. Outline and Create a Successful Trial Strategy
   8. Checklist - What to Bring with You to Court
   9. Tactics for Preparing Witnesses for Trial
2. KNOW PROTOCOL WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN COURT
   10:15 - 11:00, Written by Thomas A. Skidmore.Presented by Thomas A. Skidmore in Akron and John L. Antel in Cleveland.
   1. How a Case Moves Through Court
   2. When to Stand and When to Sit
   3. Avoid Common Mistakes Made by New Attorneys
   4. The Strategies of Seasoned Litigators - Revealed
   5. Jury vs. Bench Trials: What's the Difference?
3. SELECT THE RIGHT JURY FOR YOUR CASE
   11:15 - 12:15, Written by Jack B. Cooper.Presented by Jack B. Cooper in Akron and Ari Sherwin in Cleveland.
   1. Voir Dire: Know What You're Doing!
   2. FAQs About Jury Questionnaires
   3. A Crash Course on Jury Instructions
4. WIN WITH THE MOST SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION STRATEGIES
   1:15 - 2:45, Written by Timothy J. Coughlin.Presented by Thomas A. Skidmore in Akron and Timothy J. Coughlin in Cleveland.
   1. Deliver an Opening Statement That Grabs the Jury
   2. Get Your Evidence in and Keep the Opposition's Out
   3. Winning Direct Examination Techniques
   4. What Not to Do When in Cross-Examination of Witnesses
   5. How and When to Object
   6. Persuade Every Juror with a Can't-Miss Closing Argument
   7. Your Job When the Verdict is Announced
   8. How Damages are Calculated in Civil Suits
   9. Skillfully Handle Post-Trial Issues
      1. Your Options When Collecting Judgments
      2. Procedures for Appealing Jury Verdicts
5. AVOID COMMON ETHICAL PITFALLS
   3:00 - 4:00, Written by Ari Sherwin.Presented by Matthew P. Mullen in Akron and Ari Sherwin in Cleveland.
   1. Rules of Professional Conduct You Must Follow
   2. What You Need to Know About Advocates
   3. Your Obligation to Keep Your Client Informed
   4. Use Meritorious Claims and Contentions for Your Client's Benefit
   5. Candor Toward the Tribunal: Avoid False Statements at All Cost!
6. BE READY FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN COURT
   4:00 - 4:30 Written by Matthew P. Mullen.Presented by Matthew P. Mullen in Akron and Timothy J. Coughlin in Cleveland.
   1. How the Best of the Best Handle Surprises
   2. When and How to Make Modifications During Trial
   3. Project Confidence When Things Go Wrong

JACK B. COOPER is a member of the law firm of Day Ketterer Ltd., where he practices in the areas of insurance litigation and general litigation. He has previously lectured for National Business Institute on trial related topics and is a former articles editor of the Ohio State Law Journal. Mr. Cooper has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio, to the Commission of Attorney Specialization. He is a member of the Stark County, the Ohio State and the American (member, Tort and Insurance Practice and Litigation sections) bar associations, and the Defense Research Institute, Inc. Mr. Cooper earned his B.A. degree from the University of Akron and his J.D. degree from The Ohio State University.

MATTHEW P. MULLEN is a director in the law firm of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A., where he serves on the management committee and as co-chairman of the firm's litigation section. He is licensed to practice in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Mr. Mullen manages an active litigation practice which includes the completion of numerous depositions, jury trials and appeals on an annual basis. He is recognized as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" (2010) and "Ohio Rising Star" (2005, 2009) by Cincinnati Magazine Ohio Super Lawyers and superlawyers.com. Mr. Mullen is a frequent speaker on issues related to litigation, jury trial practice, and insurance and liability issues. He is a member of the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and the Stark County, Tuscarawas County and Ohio State bar associations. Mr. Mullen earned his B.A. degree from the University of Akron and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Akron School of Law.

THOMAS A. SKIDMORE is a sole practitioner in Akron, focusing on personal injury, nursing home negligence, ERISA, general litigation and medical negligence. He has spoken for professional groups on such topics as "How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial Start to Finish," "Law of Easements, Legal and Practical Considerations in Ohio," "Evidence in Trial Practice" and "Trying the Auto Injury Case." Mr. Skidmore earned his B.A. degree from Ohio Northern University and his J.D. degree from the University of Akron School of Law. He attended American University in Washington, D.C. and interned at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Office of Policy Analysis and Management, analyzing white collar crime in more than 90 U.S. districts. Mr. Skidmore is a member of the Akron and Ohio State bar associations, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

JOHN L. ANTEL is an attorney with Grange Insurance. His litigation practice is focused on personal injury defense, including premises liability, medical malpractice, products liability, workplace injuries, and general liability claims involving personal injury. Mr. Antel earned his B.A. degree from Cleveland State University and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Akron. He is admitted to practice in all courts in Ohio, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern districts of Ohio. Mr. Antel has significant trial experience and has successfully argued in several state appellate courts. He is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan and Ohio State bar associations, as well as the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys. Mr. Antel is a speaker at continuing legal education seminars and an advisor to the University Of Akron School Of Law's trial competition teams.

TIMOTHY J. COUGHLIN is a partner with Thompson Hine LLP. He is a member of the firm's product liability and business litigation practice groups. Mr. Coughlin is chair of the firm's mass and toxic tort group. He focuses his practice on mass toxic tort, product liability and commercial litigation on a national basis. Mr. Coughlin has represented our clients in more than 23 states and Canada. He is the lead counsel for a number of chemical companies and the industry trade association on national litigation involving chemical exposures. Mr. Coughlin is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Litigation and Environmental Section), Defense Research Institute - Industry Wide, Toxic Tort and Environmental Law (Program Committee), Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys and International Association of Defense Counsel. He earned his B.B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. degree, Order of the Coif, from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

ARI SHERWIN is an attorney with Curatolo Sidoti Co., LPA, concentrating on patent and trademark preparation, prosecution and litigation, opinions and intellectual property dispute resolution. Mr. Sherwin's legal experience also includes complex litigation of medical malpractice and products liability matters. He is a member of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association, Defense Research Institute and Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, in addition to being selected as a 2008 American Marshall Fellow. Mr. Sherwin is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He earned his B.S. degree from The Ohio State University, his M.S. degree from Case Western Reserve University and his J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

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