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Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Show (a Little) Facial Expression in Court

It is common advice for witnesses in the courtroom or representatives at counsel table: keep a poker face. That advice — avoid scowls, grimaces, and other head-shaking reactions while you’re being observed by a jury — has...more

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Podcast - The Witness Outline

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In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the best practices for organizing a trial and questioning witnesses. He highlights that no one approach is the same and...more

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Preparing a Winning Trial Strategy

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Legal discovery often comprises the longest stage of casework—identifying evidence, developing timelines, and vetting witnesses. The facts, strengths, and weaknesses of a case provide puzzle pieces that attorneys identify and...more

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Importance of Testing Your Trial Theme With a Mock Trial

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Akin to a buddy-cop movie—there are some pairings that are stronger together. For trial attorneys, one such pairing is trial themes and mock trials.  A trial theme, also known as a case theme, is critical to simplifying a...more

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How to Write an Engaging Opening Statement

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First impressions are crucial—especially when you’re delivering an opening statement to a court of law, establishing and framing the crux of a case for judges and jurors when a trial begins. Clarity, conciseness, resonance,...more

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Cross-Examination: The Three C’s of Impeachment

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In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small breaks down the "three C's of impeachment," drawing from his experience in a notable grain elevator explosion case. He highlights...more

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Cross-Examination: How to Effectively Impeach with a Prior Inconsistent Statement

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In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains how to impeach a witness' credibility through prior inconsistent statements. He emphasizes the importance of carefully...more

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Trial Graphics Presentation: Making an Impact

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Just what is it that wins a trial case? It’s not a simple matter of providing a bullet list of facts. The subject matter and fine points of evidence can be complex and difficult to follow, and the trial attorneys rarely have...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Witnesses, Know What You Don’t Know: Six Principles for Your “I Don’t Recall” Answer

Michael Cohen, the “Fixer” for Donald Trump, has recently gotten off the stand in the former President’s “hush money” trial. Those taking aim at Cohen’s testimony have pointed out frequent use of “I don’t recall” on many of...more

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Podcast - Direct Examination: Getting Rid of Clutter

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In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small highlights the impact of verbal clutter in legal proceedings. He stresses the importance of asking concise, clear questions,...more

Esquire Deposition Solutions, LLC

The Power of Depositions

Dismissal of a lawsuit is a rare sanction for a discovery violation, but it happened recently in a workplace discrimination lawsuit, due in large part to two probing depositions that called into question one party’s assertion...more

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The Basics of Opening Statements

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Litigation attorney Dan Small continues his insightful "Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series with a new episode focused on opening statements. Drawing from his extensive trial experience, Mr. Small offers practical tips...more

Kilpatrick

A Peek Behind The Curtain: A Litigator’s Experience Serving On A Jury

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As a litigator, my first legal position was as a Navy JAG, handling cases first as a defense attorney, then as a prosecutor. Since leaving from the Navy, my practice has focused on patent litigation. But I’ve never had an...more

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Exuding Credibility in the Courtroom

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In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small sits down with Frank Vecella, principal at McKool Smith and former head of litigation for Ericsson, for an in-depth discussion...more

IMS Legal Strategies

Witness Testimony Themes, Cross Examination, & Preparation Consultants – Episode 55

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IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera explains why themes are important for testimony, how to prep witnesses for cross, and what attorneys can gain from working with consultants. Listen, watch, and/or read...more

IMS Legal Strategies

Witness Testimony Themes, Cross Examination, & Preparation Consultants – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 55

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IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera explains why themes are important for testimony, how to prep witnesses for cross, and what attorneys can gain from working with consultants. View the transcript here:...more

IMS Legal Strategies

Witness Prep Goals, Credibility Factors, & Juror Comprehension – IMS Insights Podcast Episode 54

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IMS Senior Jury Consulting Advisor Dr. Merrie Jo Pitera joins podcast host and IMS Client Services Advisor Adam Bloomberg to discuss the goals of witness preparation, what makes a witness credible, and how witnesses can...more

IMS Legal Strategies

The Reptile Brain Strategy: Why Lawyers Use It and How to Counter It

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Over the years, we have heard much consternation from our clients regarding a plaintiff strategy called the “Reptile Approach.” We have seen this approach become more and more popular—not to mention effective—during...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Witnesses, Don’t Create Obstacles to a Positive Perception

Witnesses, I’d like to have a word. You know the most important audience for your testimony — the jurors in the courtroom with you, or the future jury who might someday see a clip of your deposition? That audience is kind of...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Take the Medicine: Three Steps to Pre-empting Your Witness’s Bad Stuff

You have your witness on the stand in direct examination. You have finished laying out the positive story that you want to tell, but you have one more thing to do before handing that witness over to the other side...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

First Answer in Direct: Introduce Yourself to the Jury

As you are putting on your case at trial, and you go to call your next witness, there’s always a reaction from the jury box. It’s an opportunity for fresh attention from them, but it is often a bit of a mystery...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Witnesses: Know that Certainty Matters as Much as Accuracy

When thinking about the title for this post, I came awfully close to saying that certainty “matters more” than accuracy, but I thought that perhaps it might sound too cynical. But that stronger version is supported by the...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Play Recorded Testimony Without Creating Courtroom Naptime

If you remember even a few images from kindergarten, you probably remember the time when your teachers would lay out the mats — that was the cue that it is naptime. One might say that the similar cue in a courtroom is when...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Witnesses: Protect Yourselves Against the “Just Answer Yes or No” Instruction

It sometimes happens in the course of testimony: After what might have been a longer or misdirected answer, the witness will receive a stern admonition from either the questioning attorney, or worse, the judge...more

Holland & Hart - Your Trial Message

Understand the Full Effect of a Bad Connection or Recording

The persisting pandemic has brought with it more adventures in technology. Courts have seen an increased use of remote testimony and oral argument, and even fully remote trials. When it is done well, it can be surprisingly...more

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