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Overview
Make Yourself an Indispensable Part of Your Firm's Trial Preparation Team
Two of the most essential skills for litigation paralegals to possess are the abilities to gather critical information and to prepare it for effective use at trial. That means you need to know how to compile essential information, ask the right questions and create a thorough, yet user-friendly case file.
Are your skills everything they should be? This program will provide a closer look into the specialized realm of paralegal responsibilities during trial preparation so you can maximize your effectiveness. Establish solid case management and organization techniques. Learn how to uncover crucial facts during the discovery process. Implement an effective document control and organization system to keep everything readily accessible. Get the most out of witnesses during pretrial interviews. Confidently collect, organize and preserve evidence for use at any time during trial. Developing these skills is critical for your success - register today to gain the knowledge you need!
- Tap into valuable sources of information while conducting discovery.
- Establish strategies for effective document control so you can retrieve what you need, when you need it.
- Organize a powerful trial notebook that will pave the way for a smooth trial.
- Implement solid techniques for preparing clients to testify at trial.
- Find out how to troubleshoot common problems that arise during trial preparation.
- Put together persuasive, clear trial exhibits that get results.
- Learn how to effectively assist with voir dire, evidence presentation and more during trial.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Useful Discovery for Trial
- Preparing Your Witnesses
- Creating a Trial Notebook
- Preparing Your Office - What to do Before You Set Foot in Court
- Effective Use of Evidence
- Using AI in Trial Preparation
- Succeeding at Trial
- Paralegal Ethics
Can't Attend Live?
Pre-Order the OnDemand
We will notify you when the ondemand recording is available.
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| California MCLE Paralegal |
|
6 Total |
| Delaware Certified Paralegal Program |
|
6 Total |
| Florida Registered Paralegal |
|
6 Total |
| Indiana Paralegal CLE |
|
6 Total |
| NALA |
|
6 Total |
| Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals |
|
6 Total |
| North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education |
|
6 Total |
| New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of |
|
6 Total |
| Ohio Certified Paralegals |
|
6 Total |
| NFPA |
|
6 Total |
| Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division |
|
6 Total |
| Washington Paralegal Association |
|
6 Total |
Select Jurisdiction
Paralegal
Agenda
-
Useful Discovery for Trial
- The Complaint
- Public Sources of Information and Investigative Tools
- Requests for Admission, Requests for Production, and Interrogatories
- Subpoenas
- Bates Numbering
- How to Efficiently Sift Through "Document Dump"
- Digesting, Abstracting, and Indexing Depositions
- Troubleshooting Discovery Problems
-
Preparing Your Witnesses
- Creating Witness Lists
- Trial vs. Deposition Preparation
- How Preparation Varies Between Clients, Non-Expert Witnesses, and Experts
- Pre-Trial Interviews
- Troubleshooting Witness Problems
-
Creating a Trial Notebook
- Advantages and Disadvantages of a Litigation vs. Chronological Notebook
- Key Sections and Their Development
- Cross-Referencing
- Sample Trial Notebook
-
Preparing Your Office - What to do Before You Set Foot in Court
- Choosing On-Site Location
- Preparation of and Set-Up of On-Site Work-Room
- Preparing for Court
- Daily Recap and Preparing for What's Ahead
- Handling Last-Minute Problems
-
Effective Use of Evidence
- Choosing Your Technological Direction
- The Power of the Exhibit List
- Preparing Documents and Demonstratives
- Troubleshooting Problems With Evidence
-
Using AI in Trial Preparation
-
Succeeding at Trial
- What if You Don't go to Trial?
- Court Rules and Practices You Need to Know About
- Differences Between Federal vs. Local or County Court
- Assisting With Jury Selection
- Tips for Working in the Courtroom
- Anticipating the Needs of Your Attorney
- Working With Opposing Counsel, Court Staff, and the Judge
- Ways to Present Evidence at Trial
- Troubleshooting Problems From the Courtroom
- Surviving the Trial
-
Paralegal Ethics
- Avoiding Unauthorized Practice of Law
- Preserving Confidentiality
- Conflicts of Interest
- Ethics of Discovery, Evidence and Witness Prep
Who Should Attend
This intermediate level course is designed to teach attendees how to sharpen their skills in every aspect of trial preparation. Those who should attend include:
- Paralegals
- Legal Technicians
- Legal Assistants
- Legal Support Staff
Speakers
Speaker bio
Ida L. Williamson
is a paralegal specialist for the law firm of Cozen O'Connor, where she specializes in litigation, trial practice, insurance defense, personal injury, premises and product liability with emphasis on discovery, medical record review, research, mediation, and trial practice. Ms. Williamson conducts medical research, legal and factual research, investigations, and client interviews. She also prepares medical chronologies, deposition summaries, pleadings, memoranda, witness and exhibit lists, digital and hard copy trial exhibits, and trial notebooks, as well as attending trial. Ms. Williamson attended Broward College in Fort Lauderdale.
Speaker bio
Matthew J. Focht
is an attorney with Pressler, Senftle & Wilhite, PC. He practices in the area of personal injury law in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Mr. Focht has deep experience in managing a broad range of high-stakes personal injury matters on behalf of victims and surviving family members, including automobile accidents, slip and falls, professional negligence, wrongful death cases, and a variety of other serious matters caused by avoidable negligence. He earned his B.A. degree from Loyola College in Maryland and his J.D. degree from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Speaker bio
Ecleynne Mercy
is a highly accomplished attorney the proud owner and operator of Mercy Law P.C. She has also established Legal Upgrade, a company that offers various services and products related to legal guidance, instruction and wellness-based frameworks. The primary focus of Legal Upgrade is to assist individuals, businesses and communities in integrating wellness-based strategies into their daily legal lives and infrastructure. One of the key services provided by Legal Upgrade is an extensive workshop specifically designed to help students maximize their scores on the essay portion of the Georgia Bar Exam. Ms. Mercy has years of experience in helping repeat bar takers pass the bar, and she utilizes her expertise to provide valuable guidance and instruction to aspiring lawyers. Additionally, she oversees and directs various activities within Legal Upgrade. This includes training and supervising paralegal/support staff, conducting bar compliance reviews, providing case management training, monitoring deadlines, and performing firm audits. Ms. Mercy offers staff training programs in areas such as PI case management, family law case management, criminal defense case management, bar compliance, and system assessments. Furthermore, she conducts attorney trainings on a range of legal topics, including bar compliance, family law, criminal defense, general civil litigation, automobile and motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, pedestrian impact cases, premises liability cases, and negligent security cases. Ms. Mercy's expertise in these areas allows her to provide comprehensive and specialized training to attorneys and law students. She is also actively involved in promoting legal awareness and civil rights. Ms. Mercy trains attorneys and law students to become legal observers, enabling them to monitor legal proceedings and ensure fairness. She conducts "Know Your Rights" seminars across the country, educating citizens about their constitutional rights when dealing with law enforcement. Additionally, Ms. Mercy serves as a legal commentator for Court TV, where she shares her insights and expertise on various legal matters. Her educational background includes a B.A. degree from Howard University and a J.D. degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Ms. Mercy holds memberships in several professional organizations, including the DeKalb Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Haitian American Lawyers Association of Georgia, and Sister Care Alliance. These affiliations demonstrate her commitment to professional development, networking, and community engagement within the legal field.
Speaker bio
S. Leigh King
, J.D., LL.M., earned her J.D. degree in May 2002 from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law), where she was a senior editor on the Law Review. During that tenure, Ms. King was a judicial intern at both the federal and state appellate courts in Fort Worth, Texas. She earned her LL.M. degree in intellectual property law from Southern Methodist University in May 2009. Currently, Ms. King practices civil trial law including breach of contract cases, consumer rights, deceptive trade practices, consumer law, family law, and estate planning, She is a former auxiallary professor at Lyon College, a former professor at Emory & Henry College, and a former professor at Concordia University of Texas. Ms. King is the author of three law review articles. Her first law review article titled "While You Were Sleeping," 11 SMU Sci. & Tech. L. Rev. 291 (2008), has been incorporated in its entirety in the casebook "Cyber Crime and Digital Evidence Materials and Cases" by Prof. Thomas K. Clancy at the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law located at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Ms. King is the author of "Abandonment: How the Texas Legislature and Family Court System Fail to Meet the Needs of Texas Children," 51 S. Tex. L. Rev. 75 (2009); and "Failure to Launch: How the Delinquent Politics and Policies of the Texas Legislature Have Failed to Remedy Texas' Antiquated Judicial System and How Voters Have Accepted the Status Quo for Far Too Long," 16 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 369 (2010). Prior to entering law school, she was the senior paralegal for a boutique law firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Currently, Ms. King practices law in central Texas and is an active mentor for Southern Methodist University law students.
Top FAQs
What is included with my course purchase?
When you enroll prior to the live event date you will receive access to the live-streaming webinar which will allow you to interact with faculty in real-time.
With each course, you will receive access to the content via OnDemand Streaming and the Video Download.
Course reference materials are included with each course purchase in a downloadable PDF format.
How do I access my courses?
Courses are available within your account. Simply login to your account and click on My Courses. If you require additional assistance please call our Customer Service Department at 800-793-5274.
Do you have options for attendees who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Closed captioning is available for all online live courses. Attendees may enable the closed captioning functionality within the event room once they have accessed the event by simply clicking the "cc" button in the lower right of the event room.
Are multiple attendee discounts available?
Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. Please call out Customer Service Department to inquire about savings for your team at 800-793-5274.
When will the OnDemand be available and how long will I have access to the content?
The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account.
If you're a subscriber, you'll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.
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