As you know, the criminal justice system was set up to ensure a fair trial for the defendant in a criminal action. However, to truly provide fair representation, you need an in-depth understanding of the issues and procedures involved. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your defense skills and knowledge of trial proceedings from start to finish.

Our experienced practitioners will take you, step by step, through the criminal trial. Learn how to conduct voir dire and evaluate potential jurors. Get the strategies the pros use to prepare and deliver electrifying opening statements and closing arguments. Come away with insight into handling the examination of lay and expert witnesses at trial. Discover how to present evidence for the best results. You’ll also find out how jury instructions can impact the final verdict.

1. Getting Started
2. Effective Opening Statements
3. Examination of Witnesses
4. Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Law
5. Presentation of Defense Evidence
6. Dynamic Use of Closing Arguments
7. Concluding the Trial

1. GETTING STARTED
   9:00 - 9:45, Michael J. Fitzgerald
   1. Preparing for Voir Dire
   2. Conducting Voir Dire
   3. Evaluating Potential Jurors
   4. Jury Selection
2. EFFECTIVE OPENING STATEMENTS
   9:45 - 10:45, Dennis P. Coffey
   1. Developing Your Defense Theory and Case Theme
   2. Simplifying the Theme to Enhance Juror Understanding
   3. Structure - How to Use the Opening Statement as a Road Map for the Jury
   4. Presentation Pointers
      1. Clarity
      2. The Danger in Overstating Your Case
      3. How to Personalize the Client
   5. Use of Exhibits
3. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
   11:00 - 12:00, Martin E. Kohler
   1. Direct and Cross-Examination of Lay Witnesses
   2. Direct and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses
   3. Handling Objections During Direct and Cross-Examination
4. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM IN CRIMINAL LAW
   1:00 - 2:00, Dennis P. Coffey
   1. Avoiding Conflicts in Representation
   2. When You Suspect the Client May be Lying
   3. Duty to the Client vs. Duty to the Court
   4. Witness Contact
5. PRESENTATION OF DEFENSE EVIDENCE
   2:00 - 2:45, Michael J. Fitzgerald
   1. Consistency of Evidence With Theory of Defense
   2. Using Drama Effectively
   3. Organizing the Order of Evidence
   4. Using Demonstrative Evidence
6. DYNAMIC USE OF CLOSING ARGUMENTS
   3:00 - 4:00, Martin E. Kohler
   1. Setting a Clear Goal for Closing
   2. Choosing an Appropriate Tone and Style
   3. Using Graphics to Help the Jury Understand Your Theme
   4. Structuring the Flow
   5. Effective Presentation Tactics
7. CONCLUDING THE TRIAL
   4:00 - 4:30, Michael J. Fitzgerald
   1. Jury Instructions
   2. The Verdict

DENNIS P. COFFEY is a member of Mawicke & Goisman, S.C., where he concentrates his practice on the defense of criminal action as well as complex civil actions in state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has been named as one of Milwaukee's outstanding criminal defense attorneys by Milwaukee Magazine based upon surveys of local lawyers and judges. Mr. Coffey has represented corporate entities, executives, and individuals in a broad range of matters including health care fraud, securities, forfeiture, licensing and environmental matters. He has tried in excess of 300 jury trials during his career. Mr. Coffey has spoken on a variety of criminal law related subjects at conferences and seminars. He is a past president of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Coffey is a member of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association serving as a member of its Corrections, Sentencing and Guideline Committee. He previously served on and was chairperson of the section's Ad Hoc Committee on ethics and discipline and also is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Coffey received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD is a partner with Glynn, Fitzgerald & Albee, S.C., a four lawyer firm specializing in criminal trial and appellate practice in all state and federal courts in Wisconsin. He is a member of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Jury Instruction Committee and is the former Wisconsin chair of the 7th Circuit Bar Association Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure. Mr. Fitzgerald is listed in the 2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and is named in Wisconsin Super Lawyers as one of the top 50 lawyers in the state. He earned his B.A. degree from Creighton University and J.D. degree from Marquette University. Mr. Fitzgerald is a member of the 7th Circuit Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

MARTIN E. KOHLER is a managing partner in the Milwaukee law firm of Kohler & Hart, LLP. Identified by Newsweek as a prominent criminal defense attorney, he has nearly 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, overseeing many cases of national scope and significance. Mr. Kohler has tried hundreds of felony cases dealing with homicide, sexual assault, arson, drug conspiracy and white-collar crime. A revered and awarded litigator, he has been quoted in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and other prominent publications. He also was recognized as a “Leading Attorney” by Milwaukee Magazine for his outstanding work as a practitioner in his field. Mr. Kohler is an active member of the legal community, shaping educational programs and professional organizations. He is a program coordinator for The Center For Continuing Legal Studies at Marquette University Law School and is a frequent public speaker, appearing at law seminars and law enforcement and training seminars as well. He also is a member of the State Bar Association and the Milwaukee Bar Association, for which he chaired the Criminal Section for eight years. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. degree from Hofstra University.

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