Creating a Trial Notebook: From A – Z (Including 1hr of Ethics)

Kelly Hanker | Trial Lawyers for Justice, Hanker Law PC

Kelly Hanker is a well-regarded plaintiff-side civil trial lawyer known for increasing the value of cases, including catastrophic and traumatic injury, employment law, medical malpractice, and sexual assault cases. Often referred to as the Empathy Lawyer, Kelly’s connection to her clients after sustaining a permanent disability in a car crash herself and being called to the Plaintiff’s side by her then trial attorney—now mentor and partner, Nick Rowley—is unmatched. Kelly is a nationally sought speaker and author on a variety of trial related topics. In addition to her own cases, Kelly also associates in as trial counsel around the country and consults on: trials; conducting the human story of your client; preparing your client for DMEs; preparing witnesses for deposition and trial; trial preparation; and assists in framing and developing the story of your case. Kelly has repeatedly been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for Southern California, is a graduate of the prestigious Gerry Spence Method trial college, and has been honored by numerous organizations for her non-profit board service and philanthropic work, including by the Los Angeles Business Journal as a finalist for Philanthropist of the Year. She currently serves on: the Women in Law Committee for the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA), as the Legislative Chair for the Consumer Attorneys of California’s (CAOC) Women’s Caucus; on the Racial Justice Committee for the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA); on the Foundation Board of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA), and is a member of the Western Trial Lawyers Association (WTLA), Justice Headquarters (JHQ) and the American Association of Justice’s (AAJ) Technology & Science and Employment Rights Sections.

Kelly attended the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Art, and was awarded the Dean’s List distinction for academic excellence. She attended law school at the University of Iowa College of Law, where she served on the Journal of Corporation Law and won the award for Outstanding Student Writer. Kelly also received the Boyd Service Award with Highest Honors and became the Case Editor for the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition before obtaining her Juris Doctor in 2007. In addition, Ms. Hanker externed for Magistrate Judge John A. Jarvey in the Northern District of Iowa while in law school.

Lisa M. Szyc | Backus Burden

I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. I attended law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law. I was admitted to the Nevada bar in 2009. Over the years I have practiced in the areas of criminal defense, family law and general civil liability. I have extensive bench and jury trial experience and think being a litigator is one of the best parts of being a lawyer.

When I am not advocating for my clients I am actively involved in giving back to my community in various philanthropic endeavors.

Jean Marie Downing | Shepard Law

Ms. Downing represents criminal defendants in felony, misdemeanor, and violation of probation cases in both state and federal courts.

Ms. Downing is an experienced trial lawyer with over 50 jury trials including First Degree Murders as well as Federal Drug Conspiracies. Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Downing was a selected to serve as Federal Law Clerk in the United States District Court Middle District of Florida where she served as advisor and research attorney for The Honorable Ralph Nimmons.

Ms. Downing received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude (top 5%) from Stetson University College of Law in 1999, a Master of Science in Management from Troy University in 1993, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from The Florida State University in 1991. Ms. Downing is a member of The Florida Bar (2000) and has been admitted to practice before the United States District Court Northern District of Florida (2000), the United States District Court Middle District of Florida (2001), and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2001). Ms. Downing has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida and Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida.

Session I – Understanding the Trial Notebook | 10:00am – 11:00am

• The importance of a trial notebook
• How to organize a trial notebook
• Using your trial notebook structure and organization to plan for and work up your case

Break | 11:00am – 11:10am

Session II – Document Management | 11:10am – 12:10pm

• Incorporating digital documents
• Trial exhibits in the binder
• Ensuring admissibility
• Will it be effective?

Break | 12:10pm – 12:20pm

Session III – Strategies for Trial Preparation: Building jury selection, discovery, and witness folders | 12:20pm – 2:30pm

• Building the jury selection notebook
• Creating the discovery notebooks (Part I)

Break | 1:20pm – 1:30pm

• Creating the discovery notebooks (Part II)
• Developing witness folders

Break | 2:30pm – 2:40pm

Session IV – Ethical Considerations in Trial Notebook Creation | 2:40pm – 3:40pm

• Attorney-Client Privilege
• Confidentiality in Trial Notebook Creation
• Duty to maintain client confidentiality throughout trial preparation
• Best practices for safeguarding sensitive information in trial notebooks
• Understanding the scope and limitations of attorney-client privilege
• Ensuring that privileged information is properly identified and protected within trial notebooks