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

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. 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

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.

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