Elevate Your Trial Game: Expert-Level Training for Attorneys – Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Daniel R. Shulman
Daniel R. Shulman
Shulman & Buske PLLC.

Dan Shulman has been a practicing trial lawyer for more than 50 years. In 2020, after 50 years of private firm practice, he became a Staff Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and took a position as Of Counsel with his son’s Minneapolis law firm Shulman & Buske PLLC.

James M. Susag
James M. Susag
Larkin Hoffman

James M. Susag is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on franchise and dealer disputes, real estate, and complex commercial matters.

On-Demand: September 18, 2023
This class is included in the myLawCLE All-Access Pass

Subscribe to myLawCLEs All-Acces Pass...
Get this course, plus over 1,000+ of live webinars.
Learn More
MCLE Credit Information:

Select Your State Below to View CLE Credit Information

3 hour CLE
Tuition: $245
Training 5 or more people?

Sign-up for a law firm subscription plan and each attorney in the firm receives free access to all CLE Programs

Program Summary

Session I - Perfecting Jury Selection, Direct Examination, and Closing Argument – Dan Shulman, James Susag

Every experienced and accomplished trial lawyer knows that trying a lawsuit involves a wide variety of skills from jury selection to closing argument. Trials consist of a number of discrete segments. Three of the most important are jury selection, direct examination, and closing argument. This session will examine each of these three and the skills you need to be adept at each. The presenters, between them, have been trying cases for more than 80 years, and will be sharing experiences, techniques, and trade secrets on how to handle each of these segments effectively.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Introducing case information in voir dire without crossing lines
  • Using voir dire to test the strengths and weaknesses of your case
  • Making witnesses relive experiences in direct examination
  • Preparing your witnesses to survive cross-examination
  • Effectively setting up impeachment in cross-examination
  • Controlling witnesses during cross-examination

Session II - Mastering Pre-Trial to Post-Trial Excellence – Dan Shulman, James Susag

This course will cover four critical areas for trial success -- pre-trial and post-trial motion practice, opening statements, and closing arguments. Attendees will learn about developing case themes, which you will develop and emphasize throughout the trial process. The course will also discuss proper preparations for these four areas. The focus on proper preparation and then execution before and at trial will elevate your trial skills!

Key topics to be discussed:

  • The development and use of trial themes
  • Envisioning your case in advance relative to pre-trial motions
  • Preparing for and presenting effective opening statements
  • Controlling the courtroom – masterful closing arguments
  • Preparing for and making procedural and substantive post-trial motions

Date / Time: September 18, 2023

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Daniel-R.-Shulman_Shulman-&-Buske-PLLC_myLawCLEDaniel R. Shulman | Shulman & Buske PLLC.

Dan Shulman has been a practicing trial lawyer for more than 50 years. In 2020, after 50 years of private firm practice, he became a Staff Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and took a position as Of Counsel with his son’s Minneapolis law firm Shulman & Buske PLLC. He specializes in complex commercial and civil rights litigation. He was admitted to practice in Minnesota in 1970 and has tried lawsuits in state and federal courts in Minnesota and numerous other states. He is a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He is also a Fellow Emeritus of the Litigation Counsel of America. He was named a Minnesota Lawyer of the Year for 2012 and 2018.

In 2021-22, he was included in The Best Lawyers in America in the categories of Antitrust Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Commercial Litigation.

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Harvard College (1965), a Master’s Degree in English Literature from Yale University (1967), and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from Harvard Law School (1970).

 

James M. Susag_Larkin Hoffman_myLawCLEJames M. Susag | Larkin Hoffman

James M. Susag is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on franchise and dealer disputes, real estate, and complex commercial matters. He has been the lead attorney in over 100 trials and arbitrations in state and federal courts across the country and in domestic and international arbitration forums. Jim has the unique perspective of a trial lawyer who has also managed complex litigation and developed strategic legal plans as in-house counsel. Clients appreciate his boardroom-to-courtroom experience in crafting resolutions for their business disputes.

Representative Experience

Franchise Litigation and Arbitration

Jim represents franchise and dealer clients across various industries including food and beverage, retail, leisure and fitness, health care, hospitality and commercial and consumer services. His experience spans disputes relating to claims of violation of state franchise or dealership laws, trademark infringement, breach of contract, system-standards enforcement, consumer class actions, post-termination rights, disclosure and registration issues, fraud claims, vicarious liability, independent contractor misclassification and joint employment issues.

Real Estate Litigation

Land owners, developers, buyers, sellers, lenders, contractors and brokers rely on Jim to defend their property in all types of real estate disputes, including purchase and sale agreements, commercial and residential leases, construction contracts, mechanic’s liens, commercial and residential construction and design defects, title claims, premises liability, boundaries and easements, valuation, zoning, land use and governmental approvals.

Business Litigation

Jim handles complex commercial disputes involving contract interpretation and enforcement, unlawful business practices, civil fraud and unfair competition. He also represents clients in disputes among owners of closely-held businesses.

Agenda

Session I – Perfecting Jury Selection, Direct Examination, and Closing Argument | 12:00pm – 1:40pm

I. Jury Selection, including introducing case information in voir dire without crossing lines, using voir dire to test the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and getting jurors to open up about themselves and their true feelings. | 12:00pm – 12:30pm

II. Direct Examination, including making witnesses relive experiences, simplifying and clarifying direct testimony, and preparing your witnesses to survive cross-examination | 12:30pm – 1:00pm

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

III. Cross-examination, including effectively setting up impeachment, controlling witnesses during cross-examination, and avoiding pitfalls | 1:10pm – 1:40pm

Session II – Mastering Pre-Trial to Post-Trial Excellence | 1:40pm – 3:20pm

I. The development and use of trial themes | 1:40pm – 1:55pm

II. Envisioning your case in advance relative to pre-trial motions | 1:55pm – 2:10pm

Break | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

III. Preparing for and presenting effective opening statements | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

IV. Controlling the courtroom – masterful closing arguments | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

V. Preparing for and making procedural and substantive post-trial motions | 3:00pm – 3:20pm

#1 CLE Access Program

  • Over 1,000 Live CLE Webinars each year
  • All CLE webinars broadcasted in last 12 months
  • Programs covering over 35 practice areas
  • Hot topics & changes in the law
  • All formats: Live, Replay, and On-demand
  • Accreditation in every state

Access every CLE webinar,
every format, all year long!

myLawCLE All-Access Pass

only $395 yearly


Register Now

#1 CLE Access Program

  • Over 1,000 Live CLE Webinars each year
  • All CLE webinars broadcasted in last 12 months
  • Programs covering over 35 practice areas
  • Hot topics & changes in the law
  • All formats: Live, Replay, and On-demand
  • Accreditation in every state

Access every CLE webinar,
every format, all year long!

myLawCLE All-Access Pass

only $395 yearly


More CLE Webinars
Trending CLE Webinars
The Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Obligations
The Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Obligations
Law Offices of Jonathan H. (Jason) Warner, P.A.
On-Demand
IRS Penalty Abatement Made Easy
IRS Penalty Abatement Made Easy
Green & Sklarz, LLC
On-Demand
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition)
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition) Wed, October 23, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Revocable Living Trusts from Start to Finish (2024 Edition)
Revocable Living Trusts from Start to Finish (2024 Edition) Wed, October 30, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Lawyers Serving on Boards
Lawyers Serving on Boards Thu, October 17, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Essential Accounting Principles Every Attorney Should Know
Essential Accounting Principles Every Attorney Should Know
LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors
On-Demand
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics)
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics) Fri, October 18, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Tax Opportunity Zones (2024 Edition)
Tax Opportunity Zones (2024 Edition)
Blank Rome LLP
On-Demand
Litigating Libel and Defamation Cases
Litigating Libel and Defamation Cases
Callahan & Blaine, APLC.
On-Demand
Will Drafting 101 (2024 Edition)
Will Drafting 101 (2024 Edition)
Partner, Davenport Evans Lawyers
On-Demand
Federal Indian Law 101 (2024 Edition)
Federal Indian Law 101 (2024 Edition)
Holland & Knight LLP
On-Demand
Upcoming CLE Webinars
The Probate Process from A-Z
The Probate Process from A-Z Fri, October 11, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Charitable Solicitation Laws
Charitable Solicitation Laws Tue, October 15, 2024
Live Webcast
Inside Secrets to Getting Rid of Tax Penalties (2024 Edition)
Inside Secrets to Getting Rid of Tax Penalties (2024 Edition) Wed, October 16, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Medical Records A-Z: What attorneys need to know (2024 Edition)
Medical Records A-Z: What attorneys need to know (2024 Edition) Wed, October 16, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Lawyers Serving on Boards
Lawyers Serving on Boards Thu, October 17, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics)
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics) Fri, October 18, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Maritime Finance 101
Maritime Finance 101 Wed, October 23, 2024
Live Webcast
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition)
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition) Wed, October 23, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Litigating Defamation Cases (2024 Edition)
Litigating Defamation Cases (2024 Edition) Thu, October 24, 2024
Live Webcast
Real Estate Law Fundamentals
Real Estate Law Fundamentals Tue, October 29, 2024
Live Webcast
Final Accounting: Estate administration essentials
Final Accounting: Estate administration essentials Tue, October 29, 2024
Live Webcast