Mastering Reptile Tactics: How Plaintiff Attorneys Secure Larger Verdicts and How Defendant Attorneys Can Avoid Them (2025 Edition)

Kathryn S. Whitlock
Kathryn S. Whitlock | McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC

Kate has spent her entire career defending and counseling individuals and insurance companies accused of not doing their jobs right.

On-Demand: December 11, 2024

2 hour CLE

Tuition: $195.00
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Program Summary

In recent years, plaintiff attorneys have used Reptile Theory (now “Edge”) to secure increasingly larger verdicts by appealing to jurors' sense of danger and the need to protect against it.

This updated CLE program dives into the core strategies behind Reptile Tactics and explores how $1 billion has become the new $1 million in damages.

Attendees will learn how to identify and counter reptilian questions, understand jury persuasion techniques, and implement a solid counter-reptile strategy.

The program also looks at emerging trends in Reptile Theory, equipping defense attorneys with the insights needed to anticipate and effectively challenge these tactics in future litigation.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Understanding Reptile Theory
  • Evolution of Damages
  • Identifying and Countering Reptilian Questions
  • Jury Persuasion Techniques
  • Building a Counter-Reptile Strategy
  • Future of Reptile Tactics in Litigation

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Kathryn S. Whitlock_myLawCLEKathryn S. Whitlock | McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC

Kate has spent her entire career defending and counseling individuals and insurance companies accused of not doing their jobs right. Primarily in professional liability, bad faith and sexual misconduct matters, Kate represents those in the legal, insurance, healthcare, real estate, accounting and education fields, among others. Kate is highly-skilled in the courtroom and alternative dispute forums; she has tried over 100 cases to jury verdict, bench decision or final arbitrator award in state and federal courts and various other venues.

Kate also handles her own cases through appeal and is often called on by others after they receive a disappointing first level dispute resolution outcome. Kate has been recognized in her practice by The Best Lawyers in America© and Georgia Super Lawyers and was named among America’s Top Lawyers by The American Law Society in 2018.

Kate serves in leadership roles with several national organizations, including Defense Research Institute, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance and Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. In her pursuit to advance the legal field, she regularly lectures and publishes articles on emerging issues related to her litigation practice. Kate is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of trial attorneys.

Outside of MGC, Kate gives her time to non-profit organizations in Atlanta. She has been married to her husband—who is also an attorney—for over 35 years. Together, they share three grown non-lawyer children and two dogs.

Agenda

I. Understanding Reptile Theory | 1:00pm – 1:20pm

II. Evolution of Damages | 1:20pm – 1:40pm

III. Identifying and Countering Reptilian Questions | 1:40pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

IV. Jury Persuasion Techniques | 2:10pm – 2:30pm

V. Building a Counter-Reptile Strategy | 2:30pm – 2:50pm

VI. Future of Reptile Tactics in Litigation | 2:50pm – 3:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2.5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via Attorney Submission.
Georgia

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Iowa

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Illinois

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Indiana

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Maryland

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Minnesota

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

The Federal Bar Association reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney's behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
120 General minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Nevada

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Tennessee

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
2 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
2 Law & Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washington via Attorney Submission. myLawCLE will supply Washington state attorneys with instructions on how to gain credit.
Wisconsin

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

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