A Trial Lawyer’s Guide: State vs. Federal Court, Jury Selection, Opening Statements, and Closing Arguments

Louis Richard Cohan | Cohan & Levy

For more than 30 years, Mr. Cohan has been litigating business and employment disputes. Mr. Cohan has been recognized for his trial experience by admission into the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Cohan has litigated more than $850 million in claims for his clients.

Mr. Cohan is actively involved in the business and legal communities. Mr. Cohan has served as Chair of the Litigation Section – the largest section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Mr. Cohan has also chaired the Small Firm section of the Atlanta Bar Association. Mr. Cohan has served on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Bar Association and has chaired the Atlanta Bar Foundation – the charitable arm of the Atlanta Bar Association. Mr. Cohan has received awards and recognition for his community and legal work. These awards include Super Lawyer, Legal Elite, Martindale-Hubbel’s preeminent AV rating, American Board of Trial Advocates, America’s Top 100 Attorneys, and the Celebrating Service Award. For many years, Mr. Cohan has chaired the Legal Run Around 5k road race, raising more than $200,000 for the children of injured and fallen Atlanta Police Department officers, and Mr. Cohan has donated blood platelets more than 230 times…and counting. Together with Atlanta Blood Services, Mr. Cohan is currently engaged in a campaign to recruit 250 new Platelet donors to mark his anticipated 250th donation net year. #HelpaHuman #Donateplatelets #1morekiss #1morehug #moretime

Mr. Cohan attended Riverwood High School in Atlanta. During high school, Mr. Cohan was admitted into MENSA. Mr. Cohan attended the University of Georgia where he received a B.S. in finance. During college, Mr. Cohan was president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. Mr. Cohan attended Emory School of Law where he received his J.D. During law school, Mr. Cohan was awarded the Douglas L. Peabody award for best oralist in his moot court competition.

I. Foundations of trial | 1:00pm – 2:40pm

• 3 sets of rules (Uniform or Federal/Local/Standing Orders)
• Jury selection – You can win or lose your case during jury selection
• Opening statements
  • Primacy and recency
  • Cognitive dissonance
  • Confirmation bias

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

• Jury charges – More important than you think
• Closing arguments
  • What is the purpose
  • How to win

II. State/Federal courts – What’s the difference? | 2:40pm – 3:10pm

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

III. Non-jury trials | 3:20pm – 3:50pm

IV. Jury trials | 3:50pm – 4:20pm