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Criminal Justice

Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program

A Program For The Defense

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Plano, Texas, USA

Past Event

MCLE Credit will be available

The Center for American and International Law
5201 Democracy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024

Online registration is closed. You can still register by bringing a completed registration form to the registration desk.

Registrar: +1.972.244.3404
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: cail@cailaw.org

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Overview

This intense non-capital course is designed for those who already have some trial experience and gives defense lawyers the opportunity to develop and hone their trial skills. Chaired by Barry Sorrels and Jeff Kearney, and including a faculty comprised of elite criminal defense attorneys, this very highly-rated program focuses on trial skills (voir dire, opening statements, direct examination, cross examination and closing arguments) and law (evidence, protecting the record, and the court's charge). This course features lectures, demonstrations, and small group workshops which will require students to participate in voir dire, conduct direct & cross, and give opening and closing statements. Participants will work a mock case in this course and get the opportunity to develop and hone their trial skills.

Conference Co-Chairs

Barry Sorrels
Sorrels, Udashen & Anton
Dallas, Texas
Jeffrey A. Kearney
Kearney | Wynn
Fort Worth, Texas

Meet the Faculty (pdf)

A Note from Our Chairs:

"The purpose of this seminar is to give Criminal Defense trial lawyers the tools they need to be more effective in the courtroom.

The faculty is committed to making sure that every attendee leaves a much better lawyer after they complete this program. This happens when attendees come prepared to make the same commitment to excellence – giving their best efforts and attention to the lectures, demonstrations and most importantly, the breakout sessions.

This is a seminar where we will all work together as a team to learn how to do our jobs better."

This course is funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

Who Should Attend?

With the exception of invited faculty, attendance is limited to 60 Texas criminal defense attorneys. Courtroom attire is required. This program is suggested for lawyers with five or more years of experience.

Agenda as of 7/8/15

Monday, August 3

8:15 am

Registration

9:00 am

Welcoming Remarks & Expectations

9:15 am

Synopsis Of The T.L. Allen Facts & Developing A Theory For Your Case

9:45 am

Mandatory Pre-Trial Preparation

10:15 am

Break

10:30 am

Storytelling Throughout The Trial

11:15 am

Lecture & Demonstration: Voir Dire

12:15 pm

Lunch Provided

1:00 pm

Small Group Workshop – Voir Dire

2:45 pm

Break

3:00 pm

Lecture: Fundamentals Of A Powerful Opening Statement

3:45 pm

Small Group Workshop – Opening Statement

5:30 pm

Reception & Ask The Faculty: Open Forum

6:30 pm

Recess

Tuesday, August 4

9:00 am

Demonstration: Opening Statements

9:30 am

Evidence: The Rules Of Engagement

10:00 am

Lecture & Demonstration: Direct Examination

10:45 am

Break

11:00 am

Small Group Workshop – Direct Examination

12:30 pm

Lunch Provided

1:15 pm

Offering Persuasive Exhibits & Demonstrative Evidence

2:00 pm

Break

2:15 pm

Protecting The Record: Trial Objections

2:45 pm

Cross Examination Lecture: Rule 601 – The Tools Of The Trade

3:30 pm

Break

3:45 pm

Small Group Workshop – Cross Examination

6:00 pm

Recess

Wednesday, August 5

9:00 am

Demonstration: Cross Examination

9:30 am

Dealing With the Government’s Expert Witnesses

10:00 am

Break

10:15 am

Ethical Issues Every Lawyer Faces

11:15 am

Insights From Jury Consultants On Persuasion In The Courtroom

11:45 am

Lunch Provided

12:45 pm

The Court’s Charge: Give The Jury Their Marching Orders

1:15 pm

Lecture: Closing Argument

2:00 pm

Break

2:15 pm

Small Group Workshop – Closing Argument

4:15 pm

Break

4:30 pm

Demonstration: Closing Argument

5:15 pm

Faculty Forum: Nuts & Bolts Of A Criminal Defense Practice

6:00 pm

Recess

Thursday, August 6

9:00 am

How To Better Manage Your Practice With Technology: In Court & Out

9:45 am

Mitigation & Punishment: Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst

  • Carlos Garcia, Garcia Criminal Defense & Trial Consulting, Austin, Texas

10:15 am

Break

10:30 am

What Makes Good Lawyers Great

11:15 am

Ethics

  • Jeff Kearney, Kearney | Wynn, Fort Worth, Texas
  • Erin Hendricks, Attorney At Law, Dallas, Texas

11:45 am

Intangibles: The Will Of A Criminal Defense Lawyer

1:10 pm

Adjourn

CLE Credit

MCLE Credit

The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for a total of 25.5 hours, including 1.5 hours of ethics. Course ID Number: 901321647.

In addition to Texas, after the program (if requested) CAIL will directly apply for course accreditation in the following states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required: California, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through attorney self-submission in other states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required to be submitted.

Overnight Accommodations

Hyatt Place Plano welcomes our guests attending Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program at The Center for American and International Law. We have set aside a block of rooms with a group rate of $92 plus applicable fees/taxes for 7/31/2015-8/6/2015.

Please make your reservations by 7/18/2015. As long as the reservation is made by this date, and the group block has availability, you will receive the group rate. Any reservations not received on or before this cut-off date are subject to hotel availability at the best available prevailing rate.

Booking Instructions

Book online at dallasplano.place.hyatt.com
Type in Arrival/Departure Dates
Enter Group/Corporate #: G-CL42
or
Call 888-HYATT-HP (888.492.8847) or 972.378.3997

Dates available: 7/31/2015-8/6/2015
Mention the group name: CAILAW Criminal Defense Trial SKills & Trial Law Program

  • A valid credit card is required to make reservations
  • Tax Exemption Certificates and Credit Card Authorization Forms may be faxed to the hotel directly at 972.608.4427 prior to your arrival.

Testimonials

"This program exceeded my expectations.  Best CLE, training ever taken!"

"Best CLE I have ever done for myself."

"Excellent faculty, great logistics, topical & practical materials"

-- 2014 Participants

Other Information

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation must be received 5 business days prior to a program to receive a refund (Email: lgaspar@cailaw.org). After this date, no refunds, but substitution of attendees for this program will be permitted with prior approval. Registrants not entitled to a refund will receive the course materials. Waiver recipients must attend the program to receive the materials.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.