Connecticut Civil Trial Skills

Agenda / Content Covered

1. The Secrets to a Powerful Opening Statement
   9:00 - 9:45, Christopher P. Kriesen
2. Voir Dire and Jury Selection Tactics
   9:45 - 10:30, Christopher P. Kriesen
   1. The Written and Unwritten Rules of Jury Selection
   2. Juror Questionnaires and Research Tips
   3. How Jurors Think: What You Need to Know
   4. Building Rapport and Getting Jurors Talking
   5. Asking the Right Questions the Right Way
   6. The Big DON'Ts of Voir Dire Questions
   7. Avoiding Socially Desirable Response Bias
   8. Jury Selection Strategy: Who to Strike and How
3. Closing Arguments and Jury Instructions
   10:45 - 11:30, Paul Iannaccone
   1. Do's and Don'ts of Closing Arguments
   2. Organizing Your Closing Arguments
   3. Effectively Using Evidence
   4. Rebutting Arguments and Addressing Bad Facts
   5. Practical Insights on Discussing Damages
   6. Concluding Your Closing
   7. Jury Instructions: Standard and Special
4. Direct Examination: Top 15 Tips in 30 Minutes
   11:30 - 12:00, Courtney D. Hays
5. Evidence Presentation, Objections, and Admission
   12:00 - 12:45, Courtney D. Hays
   1. Rules and Procedures Governing the Introduction and Exclusion of Evidence
   2. Motions in Limine: The Trial Lawyer's Best Friend
   3. Using Documentary Evidence
   4. Spotlight on Email, Social Media, and Smartphone Evidence
   5. Lay and Expert Witness Testimony
   6. Demonstrative and Illustrative Evidence
   7. Hearsay and Other Objections: When to Use Them and How to Respond
6. Creating a Trial Notebook - Your Blueprint for Trial
   1:45 - 2:30, Liz Fitzsimmons
   1. Countdown to Trial: What You Need to Do and When
   2. Traditional vs. Electronic Trial Notebooks
   3. What to Include, What to Exclude, and How to Organize
   4. Developing Key Sections of the Trial Binder
   5. Using the Notebook and Troubleshooting From the Courtroom
7. Key Cross-Examination Strategies Every Lawyer Must Know
   2:30 - 3:15, Jonathan Kocienda
   1. Preparing for the Cross-Examination
   2. Maintaining Control of the Witness and Direction of the Examination
   3. Cross-Examining Experts
   4. Tips for Cross-Examining Difficult and Special Witnesses
   5. Witness Impeachment Tactics
8. Ethics for Trial Lawyers
   3:30 - 4:30, Steven L. Seligman
   1. Ethical Duties Toward the Tribunal
   2. Ethics of Evidence
   3. Improper Arguments
   4. Communicating With Witnesses
   5. Ex Parte Communications
   6. Juror Investigation, Contact, Bias in Jury Selection, and Jury Tampering

Accreditation Details:

Liz Fitzsimmons is a managing attorney at Connecticut Trial Firm, LLC. She has over 25 years of experience working in insurance defense and brings with her a realistic perspective when dealing with insurance companies and the immense understanding of what our clients are facing when dealing with insurance companies. Ms. Fitzsimmons received her B.A. from Muhlenberg College and her J.D. from George Washington University. She is admitted to practice law in Connecticut, New York, and U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut.

Courtney D. Hays is an associate at Coughlin Betke LLP, where she focuses on all aspects of civil litigation, mainly within the Connecticut state and federal courts. Prior to joining Coughlin Betke, Ms. Hays worked as a prosecutor in Florida, where she conducted nearly 30 jury trials. She previously worked for civil litigation defense firms in New York and Connecticut, where she specialized in medical malpractice defense, general liability defense, municipal matters, professional liability claims and general litigation claims. Ms. Hays earned her B.A. degree from University of South Florida and her J.D. degree from University of Connecticut Law School. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York and Florida, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Southern New York, and Eastern New York.”

Paul Iannaccone is a member of the Hartford law firm of RisCassi & Davis, P.C., where he practices in the areas of personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice and civil litigation. Mr. Iannaccone is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a civil trial advocate. He has lectured previously on various trial topics for Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association-sponsored seminars. Mr. Iannaccone is a certified Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Waterbury Bar Association and is admitted to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Mr. Iannaccone earned his B.A. degree from the University of Connecticut and his J.D. degree, with honors, from Western New England College.

Jonathan (Jake) Kocienda is the manager of the Medical Malpractice Practice Group and Lead Trial Attorney at Connecticut Trial Firm, LLC. He has been litigating and trying cases for 25 years, and has spent 20 years practicing in medical malpractice representing both the defense side and the plaintiff's side at different times in his career. Mr. Kocienda's areas of expertise also include trial practice, complex personal injury litigation and general personal injury. He received his B.A. from College of the Holy Cross and his J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law. Mr. Kocienda is licensed to practice law in Connecticut, Massachusetts, corresponding Federal District Courts, and the Second Circuit.”

Christopher P. Kriesen is the founder and principal of The Kalon Law Firm, LLC, where his practice areas include personal injury, civil litigation, appeals and ADR. Mr. Kriesen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and before the United States District Court of Connecticut. He is a trained mediator (Harvard Law School, Advanced Mediation Workshop, Program on Negotiation) and serves as an Attorney Trial Referee in Hartford Superior Court. Mr. Kriesen earned his B.Sc. degree from Villanova University, his J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and his M.A. degree, with distinction, from Trinity College.

Steven L. Seligman is a partner in the Hartford law firm of Katz and Seligman, where he practices in the areas of civil litigation, professional licensing regulation, legal ethics and professional responsibility, criminal litigation, insurance defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, insurance coverage and legal malpractice. Mr. Seligman is a guest lecturer on trial practice at the University of Connecticut School of Law, and comments on legal issues for CBS radio and television, as well as National Public Radio. He earned his B.A. degree from Yale University and his J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.