How to Lay a Foundation to Get Your Evidence Introduced

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.

1. Essentials of Laying a Foundation
   9:00 - 9:45, Anthony Sheffy
   1. Procedures for Introducing Exhibits at Trial
   2. Authenticity, Reliability and Relevance
   3. Foundation Requirements for Real, Illustrative, Demonstrative and Documentary Evidence
   4. How to Handle Evidentiary Objections
   5. Preparing Evidence and Planning for Admissibility Issues Before Trial
   6. Issuing Trial Subpoenas to Witnesses
2. How to Authenticate Social Media Posts, Texts, Emails and More
   9:45 - 10:45, Anthony Sheffy
   1. How to Collect to Ensure Admission Later On
   2. Authenticating Emails
   3. How to Lay a Foundation for Facebook, YouTube Videos, Other Internet Records
   4. Digital Photographs
   5. Authenticating Texts and Other Smartphone Evidence
   6. Real-World Demonstrations
   7. How to Overcome Hearsay Objections
   8. Rule and Case Law Updates
3. Establishing Foundations for Business Records and Other Documentary Evidence
   11:00 - 12:00, Anthony Sheffy
   1. Business Records
   2. Photographs
   3. Models, Maps, Diagrams
   4. Video Recordings
   5. Letters, Writings and Contracts
   6. Medical Records, X-Rays and Bills
   7. Establishing Foundations for Other Documentary Evidence
   8. Satisfying the Best Evidence Rule
4. Laying a Foundation for Expert Witness Testimony
   1:00 - 2:00, Christopher P. Kriesen
   1. Establishing Competency and Qualifications
   2. Verifying an Expert's Methodologies
   3. Motions in Limine: Bringing or Defending Against
   4. At the Hearing
   5. Case Law Review
5. Introducing Physical Evidence at Trial
   2:00 - 2:30, Christopher P. Kriesen
6. Demonstrative and Illustrative Evidence: Satisfying the Foundation Requirements
   2:45 - 3:30, Christopher P. Kriesen
   1. Establishing Relevancy
   2. Battleground for Demonstrative Evidence: Satisfying the Fairness Requirement
   3. PowerPoints
   4. Computer Simulations and Recreations
   5. Handling Numerical Data, Charts and Graphs
   6. Models, Maps, Diagrams
   7. Photographs and Videos
   8. Case Law Review
7. Applying Ethics Rules to Evidence
   3:30 - 4:30, William Madsen
   1. Ethics of ESI
   2. Handling Prejudicial Evidence
   3. Candor With the Court
   4. "Coaching" Witnesses

Accreditation Details:

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.

WILLIAM MADSEN is a partner with Madsen, Prestley & Parenteau LLC, where he practices employment-related claims including wrongful discharge; whistle blower retaliation; family and medical leave; disability accommodation; freedom of speech; wage and hour; breach of contract; violation of public policy; discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, and national origin; and in the area of class action litigation. He is licensed to practice law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as well as the state and federal courts of Connecticut and Maine. Mr. Madsen graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Yale Divinity School and Vermont Law School, where he earned his law degree.

ANTHONY SHEFFY is the founding partner of Sheffy, Mazzaccaro, DePaolo & DeNigris, L.L.P., which is located centrally in Southington, Connecticut. He has taken jury verdicts in state and federal court recovering substantial compensation for families including those whose lives have been dramatically altered by a sudden death or brain injury, as well as on behalf of Lloyd’s of London, Omni and other insurers. Mr. Sheffy has written and lectured on topics ranging from the fundamentals of presenting civil jury cases to advanced evidence techniques for attorneys experienced in the courtroom. He has been honored as a member of the Order of Justitia in the Litigation Counsel of America, a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, designated as a Top 100 Lawyers in America, and designated as a Super Lawyer in Connecticut since 2011. Mr. Sheffy earned his B.S. degree in combined music and physics from Lebanon Valley College and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Western New England School of Law. He is admitted to the bar for Connecticut state courts and the Federal District Court for the state of Connecticut.