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, Mark B. Levin and Cindy Stockton
   1. The Complaint
   2. Requests for Admission, Requests for Production and Interrogatories
   3. Medical Record Numbering
   4. Digesting, Abstracting and Indexing Depositions
2. CREATING A TRIAL NOTEBOOK
   10:15 - 11:15, Mark B. Levin and Cindy Stockton
   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, Kevin M. Madden
   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, Phyllis C. Darden-Caldwell
   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, Phyllis C. Darden-Caldwell
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, Kevin M. Madden
   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

PHYLLIS C. DARDEN-CALDWELL is a paralegal with the law firm of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (25 years), where she practices in the areas of litigation and antitrust, with a focus on electronic discovery on large litigation matters. During trial, she works with the firm's attorneys and outside technological consultants on various aspects of the trial including organizing trial exhibits, coordinating trial presentations and courtroom communication. Ms. Darden-Caldwell taught paralegal pro-bono projects to the paralegals of the Houston Paralegal Association, and coordinated and facilitated full-day CLE seminars for the Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association for three years. She is a member of the Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association (former board member), the Texas State Bar (Paralegal Division), charter member of Vinson & Elkins' Paralegal Professional Development Committee, paralegal member of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.'s Pro Bono Advisory Committee, coordinator of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.'s Innocence Project Paralegal Pilot Program, and the Houston Community College Paralegal Advisory Board. Ms. Darden-Caldwell earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Prairie View A & M University.

MARK B. LEVIN is a partner in the Houston law firm of Odom & Levin, where he specializes in all forms of plaintiff personal injury. He is board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a certified mediator. Mr. Levin is a frequent speaker on litigation issues for the National Business Institute and various professional groups. He is a former associate municipal court judge in Jacinto City, Texas. Mr. Levin earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University and his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. He is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Trial Lawyers and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

KEVIN M. MADDEN is an associate with Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC, where he practices in the areas of civil trial practice, commercial litigation, business litigation, construction law, and employment law. He is admitted to practice in Texas and before for the U.S. District Court, the Southern District of Texas, and the Eastern District Court of Texas. Mr. Madden was the articles editor for the Houston Journal of International Law. He was the judicial intern to the Honorable David Hittner, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Madden was a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph James "Tad" Halbach, Jr., 333rd District Court, Harris County, Texas. He is a member of the Houston Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Young Lawyers Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, his B.S. degree from the University of Houston and his J.D. degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

CINDY STOCKTON is a paralegal with the law firm of Odom & Levin, where she specializes in plaintiffs personal injury. Her responsibilities include all litigation aspects of the case from the initial client contact, to trial preparation and participation. Ms. Stockton has been a paralegal for fifteen years.

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