1. Jury Analysis and Selection – Choose the Right Audience
2. Opening Statements – Tell a Compelling Story
3. 20 Tips to Enhance Your Mastery of the Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in the Courtroom
4. Skillful Use of Objections From Jury Selection to Closing Argument
5. Getting the Best Out of Witness Examination
6. Ethical Considerations
7. Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Exhibits
8. Closing Statements and Final Jury Instructions – Steer the Jury In the Right Direction

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. JURY ANALYSIS AND SELECTION – CHOOSE THE RIGHT AUDIENCE
   8:30 - 9:25, Gianni Floro
   1. What Kind of Juror to Look (And Look Out) For
   2. Juror Questions – How to Ask Difficult Questions and Get Truthful Answers
   3. Sample Voir Dire Techniques
   4. Peremptory Challenges and Challenges for Cause
   5. Using Litigation Support Services – Focus Groups, Jury Research Groups, Mock Trial
2. OPENING STATEMENTS – TELL A COMPELLING STORY
   9:25 - 10:10, Pamela V. Collis
   1. The Purposes of Opening Statement
   2. Communicate Your Theme Effectively
   3. Evoke Emotion and Get the Interest of the Jury From the Beginning – Common Techniques
   4. Clearly Lay Out the Plot of the Case
   5. Identify the Participants and Give Brief Analysis of Their Character
   6. Introduce Applicable Laws
   7. Reinforce Your Case Theme
   8. Leave Listeners With a Favorable Impression
3. 20 TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR MASTERY OF THE VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION IN THE COURTROOM
   10:25 - 11:25, Gianni Floro
4. SKILLFUL USE OF OBJECTIONS FROM JURY SELECTION TO CLOSING ARGUMENT
   11:25 - 12:15, Gary M. Lang
   1. Preparation
   2. When to Object – Purpose, Evidentiary Basis and Other Tactical Considerations
   3. How to Object
   4. Should You Object During Your Opponent's Opening Statement and Closing Argument?
   5. Countering Objections
5. GETTING THE BEST OUT OF WITNESS EXAMINATION
   1:15 - 2:05, Pamela V. Collis
   1. Direct Examination Techniques
      1. Witness Introduction – Establish Credibility and Qualifications in Court
      2. Making the Testimony Clear – Organization and Conversational Manner
      3. Making the Testimony Persuasive – Help the Witness Tell the Story and Emphasize the Strong Parts
      4. Style – Relating to Witness and Jury
      5. Special Considerations in Direct Examination of Expert Witnesses
      6. Redirect Examination
      7. Sample Direct Examination Transcript Analysis
   2. Cross-Examination Methods
      1. How to Prepare for Witnesses' Testimony and Potential Objections
      2. Organization
      3. Framing the Questions and Limiting the Response
      4. Prior Inconsistent Statements – the What-fors and the How-tos
      5. Specific Techniques for Cross-Examining Expert Witnesses
      6. Sample Direct Examination Transcript Analysis
6. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
   2:05 - 3:05, Gary M. Lang
   1. Handling Highly Prejudicial Evidence
   2. Talking to Witnesses Before They Testify
   3. Identifying and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   4. Responding to Jurors' Questions During Voir Dire
7. MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR EXHIBITS
   3:20 - 4:00, Gianni Floro
   1. Types of Frequently Used Exhibits and Potential Problems in Their Use
   2. Effective and Dramatic Use of Technology in the Courtroom
   3. When and How to Present Exhibits
   4. Limited Admissibility
   5. Opposing Exhibits – Challenge Admissibility and Minimize Impact
8. CLOSING STATEMENTS AND FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS – STEER THE JURY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
   4:00 - 4:40, Pamela V. Collis
   1. Goals
   2. Organize the Discussion to Focus on Issues, Not People
   3. Address the Other Side's Case – Not Only Yours
   4. Address Any Weak Points in Your Theory
   5. Last Words and Rebuttal
   6. Style and Delivery
   7. Commonly Asked Questions

PAMELA V. COLLIS a senior partner in the firm of Walsh, Collis & Blackmer, P.C., and earned her B.S. degree from The Pennsylvania State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Ms. Collis is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. She chairs the firm's domestic relations practice, representing clients in a wide range of matters in that area, including custody, divorce, marital property distribution, pre-nuptial agreements and support. In addition, she has a diverse civil litigation practice which encompasses the areas of dental malpractice, nursing home negligence and other professional liability claims, as well as automobile, premises liability, products liability and bad faith. In addition to having tried numerous jury trials, she routinely handles both uninsured and underinsured motorists arbitration matters. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Association.

GIANNI FLORO is a trial attorney in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. Floro's practice includes civil and commercial litigation. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association and the Federal, American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. Mr. Floro earned his B.S., M.S. and J.D. degrees from Duquesne University.

GARY M. LANG is a senior partner in the Pittsburgh law firm of Feldstein Grinberg Stein and McKee, P.C. He is certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Lang is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Since 1992, he has co-written the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Practice Manual published by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He is a published author in his fields of practice, and a frequent lecturer on topics relating to civil procedure, personal injury, medical malpractice and ethics. Practicing in the fields of professional negligence, personal injury and products liability litigation. Mr. Lang is a member and former governor of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, former chair of the Allegheny County Bench Bar Committee, former member of the Board of Governors of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation, and a recipient of one of the Foundation's pro bono awards. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, he earned his J.D. degree from the Capital University School of Law.

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