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Basics of Civil Practice - The Trial

- Location -
Holiday Inn Amherst
1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 691-8181

Learn basic skills to help you become a "Practice Ready" attorney

7.0 total credits
(4.0 skills; 3.0 professional practice)

By attending this program, you will:

• Learn basic trial techniques for civil litigation
• Learn how to select a jury
• Learn successful strategies for direct and cross examinations
• Get tips on technical aspects of civil trials, including making objections and motions during trial
• Get tips from the experts on “tried and true” trial tactics

Co-sponsored by the Trial Lawyers Section and the Committee on Continuing Legal Education of the New York State Bar Association

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This seminar will discuss basic trial techniques for civil litigation. The topics to be covered include all phases of the trial, from jury selection to summations. The program will also feature successful strategies for direct and cross examinations, as well as tips on technical aspects of civil trials, including making objections and motions during trial. The panel of speakers will share tips on “tried and true” trial tactics.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• All attorneys seeking a fundamental but practical overview of handling a civil trial
• Attorneys practicing in the area of Trial Law

AGENDA

8:30-9:00     REGISTRATION

9:00-9:50
   1. JURY SELECTION
          A. Plaintiff’s goals, strategies, preparation and techniques
          B. Defendant’s goals, strategies, preparation and techniques
          C. Challenges: who, why and how to

9:50-10:40
   2. OPENING STATEMENT
         A. Purpose and goals
         B. Structure of the opening statement
        C. Delivering the opening statement

10:40-10:50      BREAK

10:50-11:40
   3.  DIRECT EXAMINATION
          A. Goals
          B. Witness preparation
          C. Story-telling and theme development
          D. Order of proof and number of witnesses
          E. Questioning techniques
          F. Rules of evidence and direct examination
          G. Introducing documents, photos and other visual evidence

11:40-12:30
   4. CROSS EXAMINATION
         A. Purpose and goals
         B. Preparation for cross examination
         C. Controlling the adverse witness
         D. Safe areas of cross examination
         E. Impeachment

12:30-1:30      LUNCH (ON YOUR OWN)

1:30-2:20
   5. EXPERTS
         A. Selecting the right expert
         B. Proper 3101(d) expert response
         C. Preparing the expert for trial
         D. Qualifying the expert
         E. Laying a proper foundation
         F. Eliciting the expert’s opinion and it basis

2:20-3:10
   6. MOTIONS, OBJECTIONS AND REQUEST TO CHARGE
          A. Motions in Limine
          B. Protecting the record
          C. How, when and why to object to questions and court rulings
           D. Motions at the end of the case
           E. Preparing the request to charge, verdict sheet and special interrogatories
           F. The charge conference
           G. Objecting to the Court’s charge

3:10-3:25      BREAK

3:25-4:15
   7. SUMMATIONS
           A. Purpose of closing
           B. Structure of the summation
           C. Delivering the summation
           D. Arming your favorable jurors to persuade during deliberations
           E. Objectionable and improper remarks

4:15            ADJOURNMENT

PROGRAM FACULTY

Overall Planning Chair
W. Russell Corker, Esq., Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola, NY

Local Panels (in order of appearance)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
New York City
Chair:  Ben B. Rubinowitz, Esq., Gair Gair Conason Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY
Panel: David J. Dean, Esq., Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C., New York, NY * Ben B. Rubinowitz, Esq., Gair Gair Conason Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY * Michael S. Ross, Esq., Law Offices of Michael S. Ross, New York, NY * Glenn W. Dopf, Esq., Kopff Nardelli Dopf, LLP, New York, NY * Jeff S. Korek, Esq., Gersowitz Libo & Korek, PC, New York, NY * Leslie D. Kelmachter, Esq., The Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm, LLP, New York, NY * Henry G. Miller, Esq., Clark, Gagliardi & Miller, P.C., White Plains, NY

Syracuse
Chair: Therese Wiley Dancks, Esq., Gale & Dancks, LLC, Syracuse, NY
Panel: Sam A. Elbadawi, Esq., Sugarman Law Firm, LLP, Syracuse, NY * James P. Evans, Esq., Hiscock & Barclay LLP, Syracuse, NY * James D. Lantier, Esq. Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet P.C., Syracuse, NY * Ernest A. DelDuchetto, Esq.,  DelDuchetto & Potter, Syracuse, NY * James E. Reid, Esq., Greene & Reid, PLLC, Syracuse, NY * Janet D. Callahan, Esq., Hancock & Estabrook, LLP, Syracuse, NY * Michael S. Porter, Esq., Porter Nordby Howe LLP, Syracuse, NY

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Albany
Chair:  Timothy J. Higgins, Esq., Powers & Santola, LLP, Albany, NY
Panel: Timothy J. Higgins, Esq., Powers & Santola, LLP, Albany, NY * Terence S. Hannigan, Esq., Hannigan Law Firm PLLC, Latham, NY * Jessica A. Desany, Esq., Carter, Conboy, Case, Blackmore, Maloney & Laird, P.C., Albany, NY * Michael P. Cavanagh, Esq., O'Connor O'Connor Bresee & First PC, Albany, NY * Ryan M. Finn, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, Albany, NY * John B. Casey, Esq., Dreyer Boyajian LLP, Albany, NY * Christopher Baynes, Esq., Assistant Albany County District Attorney, Albany, NY

Thursday, November 17, 2011
Buffalo
Chair:  J. Joseph Wilder, Esq., Wilder & Linneball, LLP, Buffalo, NY
Panel: Kevin J. English, Esq., Phillips Lytle LLP, Buffalo, NY * Hon. Gerald J. Whalen, Supreme Court Justice, New York State Supreme Court - Erie County, Buffalo, NY * Laura A. Linneball, Esq., Wilder & Linneball LLP, Buffalo, NY * John V. Elmore, Esq., Brown Chiari, Lancaster, NY * Hon. Erin M. Peradotto,  Associate Justice, New York State Supreme Court - Appellate Division - Fourth Department, Buffalo, NY * Carol E. Heckman, Esq., Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, Buffalo, NY * Terrence M. Connors, Esq., Connors & Vilardo, LLP, Buffalo, NY

Long Island (Melville)
Chair:  W. Russell Corker, Esq., Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola, NY
Panel: Marvin Salenger, Esq., Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP, Woodbury, NY * W. Russell Corker, Esq., Shayne, Dachs, Corker, Sauer & Dachs, LLP, Mineola, NY * Paul S. Devine, Esq., Goldberg Segalla LLP, Mineola, NY * Raymond J. Furey, Esq., Furey, Kerley, Walsh, Matera & Cinquemani, P.C., Seaford, NY * Peter C. Kopff, Esq., Kopff, Nardelli & Dopf LLP, New York, NY * Alan W. Clark, Esq., The Law Firm of Alan W. Clark & Associates, L.L.C., Levittown, NY * Clifford A. Bartlett, Jr., Esq., Bartlett McDonough Bastone & Monaghan, LLP, Mineola, NY

Westchester (Mt. Kisco)
Chair:  Elizabeth McDonald Hecht, Esq., Mead, Hecht, Conklin & Gallagher, LLP, Mamaroneck, NY
Panel: Lucille A. Fontana, Esq., Clark, Gagliardi & Miller, P.C., White Plains, NY * Michael T. Blumenfeld, Esq., Conway, Farrell, Curtin & Kelly P.C., New York, NY * Michael J. Cozza, Esq., Wilson, Bave, Conboy, Cozza & Couzens, P.C., White Plains, NY * Daniel D. Cassidy, Esq., Mead, Hecht Conklin & Gallagher, Mamaroneck, NY * Hon. Lewis J. Lubell, Supreme Court Judge, Putnam County, White Plains, NY * Elizabeth McDonald Hecht, Esq., Mead, Hecht, Conklin & Gallagher, LLP, Mamaroneck, NY * Peter K. Overzat, Esq., Morelli Ratner PC, New York, NY

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

(T) November 15, 2011 
New York City
The New Yorker Hotel
481 Eighth Avenue @ 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 244-0719

(T) November 15, 2011 
Syracuse
Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel
801 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY  13210-0801
(315) 475-3000

(W) November 16, 2011 
Albany
New York State Nurses Association
11 Cornell Road
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 782-9400

(Th) November 17, 2011 
Buffalo
Holiday Inn Amherst
1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228
(716) 691-8181

(Th) November 17, 2011 
Long Island (Melville)
Melville Marriott
1350 Old Walt Whitman Road
Melville, NY  11747
(631) 423-1600 

(Th) November 17, 2011 
Westchester (Mt. Kisco)
Holiday Inn Mt. Kisco
1 Holiday Inn Drive
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
(914) 241-2600

MCLE CREDITS

7.0 total credits
(4.0 skills; 3.0 professional practice)

This course has been approved for MCLE credit in New York for all attorneys, including newly admitted (less than 24 months).

This program has also been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California and the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 5.5 credit hours of substantive law. All inquiries regarding MCLE credits may be directed to (518) 487-5606.

This course includes NO credit hours for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements of New York and New Jersey CPAs. Sponsor numbers: New York: 000026; New Jersey: 20CE00099900.

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Continuing Legal Education has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education in the State of New York.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PARTIAL CREDIT FOR PROGRAM SEGMENTS NOT ALLOWED. Under the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board Regulations and Guidelines, attendees at CLE programs cannot receive MCLE credit for a program segment unless they are present for the entire segment. Persons who arrive late, depart early, or are absent for any portion of the segment will not receive credit for that segment.

DIRECTIONS

From Buffalo-Niagara Int'l Airport: Exit the airport onto Rt. 33W and continue to the 90E. Take exit 50, Rt. 290W. Exit on Niagara Falls Blvd. exit 3 turn right.From the Canadian Border: (Peace Bridge) Take the 190N to the 290E to exit 3B, Niagara Falls Blvd. N (Rt. 62). Our hotel is just past the overpass on the right.From Niagara Falls Canada: (Rainbow Bridge) Take the 190S to the 290E to exit 3B, Niagara Falls Blvd. N (Rt 62). Our hotel is just past the overpass on the right.From the NYS Thruway (90) E or W: Exit 50, Rt. 290 W to exit 3, Niagara Falls Blvd. Turn right at the signal and right again into our parking lot.

The last day to pre-register online was November 16, 2011.

Members, please login to get member discounts.

Seminar
BUFF-REGISTRATION	$165.00

Seminar
BUFF-REGISTRATION	$250.00

Seminar
BUFF-REGISTRATION	$60.00

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Cindy O'Brien at 800-582-2452 or cobrien@nysba.org.