Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program
A Program For The Defense
-
Plano, Texas, USA
The Center for American and International Law
5201 Democracy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024
Online registration is closed. Walk-in registrations will be accepted for this conference.
View MapRegistrar: +1.972.244.3404
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: cail@cailaw.org
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, Jeff Kearney and Bob Jarvis, 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 receive a mock case two weeks before the course, which they will use during the course to develop and hone their trial skills.
Conference Co-Chairs
Vice Chair
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.
Schedule and Faculty
Agenda as of July 28
Monday, July 31
8:15 am
Check-in & Registration (Refreshments Provided)
9:00 am
Welcoming Remarks & Expectations
- Barry Sorrels, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, Texas
- Jeff Kearney, Kearney | Wynn, Fort Worth, Texas
9:15 am
Synopsis Of The T.L. Allen Facts & Developing A Theory For Your Case
- Reed Prospere, Prospere & Russell, Dallas, Texas
9:45 am
Mandatory Pre-Trial Preparation
- Clint Broden, Broden & Mickelsen, Dallas, Texas
10:15 am
Break
10:30 am
Storytelling Throughout The Trial
- Tyrone Moncriffe, Tyrone C. Moncriffe & Associates, Houston, Texas
11:30 am
Lecture & Demonstration: Voir Dire
- Jeff Kearney, Kearney | Wynn, Fort Worth, Texas
12:30 pm
Lunch (Provided)
1:15 pm
Small Group Workshop – Voir Dire
3:00 pm
Break
3:15 pm
Lecture: Fundamentals Of A Powerful Opening Statement
- Reagan Wynn, Kearney  Wynn, Fort Worth, Texas
4:00 pm
Small Group Workshop – Opening Statement
5:45 pm
Reception
6:45 pm
Recess
Tuesday, August 1
9:00 am
Demonstration: Opening Statements
- Bob Hinton, Robert Hinton & Associates, PC, Dallas, Texas
- Kimberly F. Minick, Minick Law, P.C., Fort Worth, Texas
9:30 am
Evidence: The Rules Of Engagement
- Stephanie Luce, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, Texas
10:00 am
Lecture & Demonstration: Direct Examination
- Rick Hagen, Jackson & Hagen, Denton, Texas
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
- Greg Westfall, Westfall Sellers, Fort Worth, Texas
2:00 pm
Break
2:15 pm
Ethical Issues Every Lawyer Faces
- John Hunter Smith, Wynne & Smith, Sherman, Texas
3:15 pm
Cross Examination Lecture: The Tools Of The Trade
- Barry Sorrels, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, Texas
4:00 pm
Break
4:15 pm
Small Group Workshop – Cross Examination
5:45 pm
Recess
Wednesday, August 2
9:00 am
Demonstration: Cross Examination
- Reagan Wynn, Kearney | Wynn, Fort Worth, Texas
9:30 am
Dealing With The Government’s Expert Witnesses
- Bob Jarvis, Robert T. Jarvis Law Firm, P.C., Sherman, Texas
10:00 am
Break
10:15 am
Protecting The Record: Trial Objections
- Bruce Anton, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, Texas
10:45 am
Hacking & Tracking: Cell Phones for Lawyers
- Frank Sellers, Westfall Sellers, Fort Worth, Texas
11:15 am
The Court’s Charge: Give The Jury Their Marching Orders
- Gary Udashen, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, Texas
11:45 am
Lunch (Provided)
12:45 pm
Lecture: Closing Argument
- Tom Mills, Mills & Williams, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas
1:15 pm
Lecture: Closing Argument
- Tom Mills, Mills & Williams, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas
1:30 pm
Break
1:45 pm
Small Group Workshop – Closing Argument
4:15 pm
Break
4:30 pm
Demonstration: Closing Argument
- Bob Jarvis, Robert T. Jarvis Law Firm, P.C., Sherman, Texas
- Russell Wilson, The Law Office of Russell Wilson II, Dallas, Texas
5:15 pm
Recess
Thursday, August 3
9:00 am
Ethical Issues In The Practice Of Law
- Jeff Kearney, Kearney | Wynn, Fort Worth, Texas
- Erin Hendricks, Erin Hendricks, Attorney At Law, Dallas, Texas
10:15 am
Mitigation & Punishment: Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst
- John Niland, Covington, Kentucky
11:00 am
Break
11:15 am
Intangibles: The Will Of A Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Barry Sorrels, Sorrels, Udashen & Anton, Dallas, Texas
12:00 pm
Adjourn
CLE Credit
The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for a total of 23.75 hours, including 2.25 hour of ethics. Course ID Number: 928008599.
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 and Trial Law Program, at The Center for American and International Law. We have set aside a block of rooms with a group rate of $97 plus applicable fees/taxes for 7/31/2017 - 8/4/2017.
Please make your reservations by 7/16/2017. 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
Type in Arrival/Departure Dates
Enter Group/Corporate #: G-CL76
or
Call 888-HYATT-HP (888.492.8847) or 972.378.3997
Dates available: 7/31/2017- 8/4/2017
Mention the group name: CAILAW / Criminal Defense Trial Skills
- 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.
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
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