Elevate Your Trial Game: Expert-Level Training for Attorneys – Avoiding Common Pitfalls
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 is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on franchise and dealer disputes, real estate, and complex commercial matters.
On-Demand: September 18, 2023
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Tuition: $245.00
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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
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: September 18, 2023
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
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.
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
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