The Trial as Performance: Storytelling, Character, and Presence in the Courtroom

John Rushing
John Rushing
Rushing McCarl LLP

John Rushing is a premier trial attorney and oral advocate who, as the leader of Rushing McCarl’s trial team, has secured multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in several state and federal jury trials since co-founding the firm in 2020. These victories included wins in contract and partnership disputes brought for California businesses, including a unanimous $17.8 million jury verdict won for a large manufacturer

Jim Jarrett
Jim Jarrett
The Meisner Technique Studio

Jim Jarrett is the last teaching protégé of the legendary Sanford Meisner—one of the most influential acting teachers in history. For over fifty years, Meisner served as the Director of Acting at the renowned Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, where he developed what is now universally known as The Meisner Technique.

On-Demand: July 24, 2025

2 hour CLE

Tuition: $195.00
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Program Summary

“Trial before a Jury is Art, War, and a Sacred Duty” is a powerful and interdisciplinary presentation led by litigator John Rushing and actor Jim Jarrett, who together draw rich parallels between the courtroom and the stage. Through their combined perspectives, they explore how the craft of storytelling, the depth of character, and the authenticity of presence define success in both law and theater.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Trial and theater are both a test of character
  • The power of story is the power to convince
  • Presence and authenticity equal emotional truth
  • Preparation is not optional

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

John Rushing | Rushing McCarl LLP

John Rushing is a premier trial attorney and oral advocate who, as the leader of Rushing McCarl’s trial team, has secured multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in several state and federal jury trials since co-founding the firm in 2020. These victories included wins in contract and partnership disputes brought for California businesses, including a unanimous $17.8 million jury verdict won for a large manufacturer. Mr. Rushing was named Super Lawyers in 2025.

With a decade of experience in the entertainment industry as an actor and producer, Mr. Rushing has a sense of stage presence and a gift for narrative, allowing him to connect with juries on a human level.

Mr. Rushing began his career as a litigator at Sidley Austin LLP, where he was a member of one of the nation’s premier products liability practice groups and handled complex cases relating to pharmaceutical products, medical devices, environmental injuries, and insurance coverage. After many years at Sidley, Mr. Rushing became a plaintiff’s attorney focusing on protecting individuals hurt by nursing home negligence and medical malpractice.

After almost a decade in legal practice, Mr. Rushing shifted his focus to the entertainment sector, where he worked as a film producer and virtual reality entrepreneur. His experience as a litigator and startup founder allows him to bring comprehensive legal insights to companies and individuals seeking aggressive representation.

Mr. Rushing earned his J.D. with honors from The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as a staff member for The Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. While in Texas, Mr. Rushing served as a teaching assistant on a graduate-level course on public policy. Mr. Rushing also earned his M.A. in Scholastic Theology (Medieval Philosophy) and Modern Theology from the University of Oxford as well as a B.A. with Honors in Philosophy from Calvin College.

Mr. Rushing is a competitive sailor and has crewed a Transpac, rounded Cape Horn, sailed to Antarctica, and been a member of the U.S. 11-meter sailing team.

 

Jim Jarrett | The Meisner Technique Studio

Jim Jarrett is the last teaching protégé of the legendary Sanford Meisner—one of the most influential acting teachers in history.

For over fifty years, Meisner served as the Director of Acting at the renowned Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, where he developed what is now universally known as The Meisner Technique. His groundbreaking approach to acting shaped generations of iconic performers, including Gregory Peck, Geraldine Page, Grace Kelly, Joanne Woodward, Robert Duvall, Steve McQueen, Diane Keaton, James Woods, John Cassavettes, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, Peter Falk, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff Goldblum, Mary Steenburgen, Susan Sarandon, Sydney Pollack, David Mamet, Jon Voight, Jeff Bridges, and countless other whom credit Meisner with transforming their craft and careers.

In the final decade of Meisner’s life, he personally selected and mentored Jim Jarrett to carry forward his teaching legacy. Today, more than 30 years later, Jarrett is widely regarded as one of the most respected acting teachers in the world. Through The Meisner Technique Studio, with locations in San Francisco, Hawaii, and Sun Valley, Idaho, Jarrett has trained thousands of actors to command any room with emotional truth, freedom, and—above all—authenticity. themeisnertechniquestudio.com

In 2007, Jarrett was signed by the William Morris Agency (now WME) as both an actor and teacher. His reputation for cultivating authentic, powerful performances quickly extended beyond actors. Soon, he was coaching WME’s top-tier talent—from athletes and musicians to CEOs, lawyers, politicians, and even Presidential candidates—on how to connect, move, and inspire through storytelling and presence.

Today, Jim Jarrett continues his mission with passion and integrity: to teach people how to be more human in a world that desperately needs it—whether on stage, on camera, or in front of any audience that matters.

Agenda

I. Trial and theater are both a test of character | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

II. The power of story is the power to convince | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Presence and authenticity equal emotional truth | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

IV. Preparation is not optional | 2:40pm – 3:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

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

Approved for CLE Credits
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 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2.5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Illinois

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Indiana

Pending CLE Approval
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 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

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

myLawCLE 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 CLE Credits
2 General

Nevada

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 Skills

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

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Approved for CLE 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.
Wisconsin

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

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