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Trial Practice Committee

Mission

We promote fairness and justice in the American legal system by enhancing the lives and careers of trial lawyers. Our members aspire to the highest professional levels, and join us for access to the innovative, entertaining, and thought-provoking programming we provide across the country, as well as for our award-winning Verdict Journal and website. We are a sociable group, hosting committee breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the year. In addition to fostering collegiality and ethics within the trial bar, the Trial Practice Committee is devoted to bringing more diversity into the community of trial lawyers and to solving the work/life balance issues that litigators face.

 

Join this Committee

Announcements

Come to the Section Annual Conference in Washington, DC 

We have a number of activities planned for the Section Annual Conference, April 18-20 at the JW Marriott in Washington. These include:

·         a committee business meeting on Wednesday, April 18th from 4 to 5 PM EST;
·         a committee dinner at a local restaurant on Wednesday, April 18th at 8:30 PM EST;
·         a committee networking lunch on Thursday, April 19th from 12:15 to 1:45 PM EST;
·         the Annual Committee Expo on Thursday, April 19th from 6 to 7 PM EST; and
·         four CLE programs sponsored by this committee.

At the Corporate Counsel CLE and Seminar held in Carlsbad, CA, in March, we had a very productive business meeting and a wildly successful committee dinner. To sign up for our next committee dinner in DC, please email Matt Dowd and let him know how many will be in your party.

 

Volunteer to Write for the Website or Journal

We are looking for articles on trial practice and trial skills to publish on the website and in the quarterly committee journal. If you are interested in contributing, please email Theresa House.   

Verdict: Fall 2011 Newsletter

The latest edition of Verdict is now available.

Join Trial Practice on LinkedIn

The Trial Practice Committee is now on LinkedIn! Take advantage of the networking and information-sharing capabilities of LinkedIn, a leading social media site for professionals, by joining the Trial Practice's group.

Message from the Chairs

On February 17, 2012, the Trial Practice Committee held a two-hour mid-year strategic planning meeting during the Corporate Counsel CLE and Seminar at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, California. Having completed that meeting, and having reaching the mid-point of the ABA year, now is the time for a State of the Committee report. We are pleased to report the state of the Trial Practice Committee is strong. Specific accomplishments to date include:

• Maintaining our position as one of the largest committees in the Section of Litigation;
• Increasing the size and diversity of our subcommittee leadership roster;
• Producing CLE programs on the vanishing art of trying cases for the Section Annual Conference and the ABA Annual Meeting;
• Institutionalizing the subcommittee appointment process and expectations for subcommittee chairs;
• Holding monthly committee conference calls to inform membership on our activities (join us on the first Tuesday of every month, at 2 PM Eastern, by calling 866-646-6488, and entering passcode 6797842036);
• Sponsoring successful regional CLE programs in Dallas and Los Angeles;
• Improving outreach to young lawyers, through the appointment of Michelle R. Horvath as Young Lawyers Content Editor; and
• Improving the frequency and quality of News & Development stories on the website. 

As we look forward to the second half of the bar year, we have a number of programs and initiatives under way:

• At the Section Annual Conference April 18-20 in Washington, DC, the Trial Practice Committee will present four CLE programs:
• How to Tell a Compelling Story in Any Case (Thursday April 19 at 3 PM) – A trial lawyer who has mastered the art of storytelling will undoubtedly gain the attention of the jury.  Nationally known speakers will teach you how to tell a compelling story in the most effective manner, and how to adapt the evidence into a story supporting the overall theme of your case.
• The Art of Closing Argument (Friday April 20 at 11:15 AM) – In this program, you will hear two renowned trial lawyers give closing arguments as the plaintiff and defendant, and then have a very candid discussion about their presentations. Through live demonstrations, technology, and video clips, we will unlock the secrets to making your closing argument a work of art.
• On Your Feet! Taking Oral Advocacy to the Next Level (Friday April 20 at 1:45 PM) – Whether the bench is hot or cold, hostile or receptive, the court will give you only one chance to be heard. You need to make it count. This master class on oral advocacy will give you the tools to speak far more effectively on your feet.
• Power Strategy for Effective Lay Witness Examination (Friday April 20 at 3:00 PM) – Top litigators will demonstrate how to present your case through law witnesses. Live and video demonstrations will include how to: demonstrate credibility; reiterate your story; deal with tough questions; refute your opponent’s story; make your story the one the jury adopts; and tell the corporate story.
• At the Section Annual Conference on April 18, the committee will also meet for a business meeting (4-5 PM) and a dinner (8:30 PM). To sign up for the dinner, please contact Matt Dowd. 
• Our own Erin Asborno and Brad Lyerla are working to complete Guidelines for Ethical Witness Preparation and will soon submit them to the Section of Litigation for adoption.   
• We have additional regional CLE meetings in various stages of planning for Chicago, Miami, northern Virginia, and Columbus, OH.
• We are planning some fun social and outreach events for the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago in August. 
• We will continue to publish great content on the committee website and in the committee journal. Please email Theresa M. House if you are interested in contributing a piece either to our journal or for publication on the Trial Practice Committee website.
• We will refocus our Distance CLE Subcommittee on webcasts and podcasts.

Now is the perfect time to get active in our committee. If you are interested in becoming more involved, please contact one of the cochairs. 

Minutes from Committee Meetings

• » March 2012 | 

• » Annual Meeting, February 2012 | 

Subcommittees

 

Our active divisions include:

• Content & Communications: Content, Book Publishing, and Email and Social Media
• Membership: Diversity and Young Lawyers, Growth and Benefits, Organization and Resources, and Social Events
• Programming & Planning: National CLE, Regional CLE, and Distance CLE