Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program

Overview

Online registration is closed.  Attendance is limited to 60 participants.  If you are not already registered, please call 972-244-3415 by 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 2nd, to verify space is available.

This intense 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 non-capital course.

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

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

Dress code is Courtroom attire (suits) each day.

Please note: this program has interactive small group break-out sessions. During these sessions, participants are expected to individually conduct voir dire, give an opening, direct and cross examine a witness, and give a closing. 

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 student is a much better lawyer when they complete this program. This happens when the students make the same commitment to excellence with a determined participation in the lectures, demonstrations and most importantly, the breakout sessions.

Conference Co-Chairs

Barry Sorrels, Esq.
Sorrels, Udashen & Anton
Dallas, Texas

Jeff Kearney, Esq.
Kearney | Wynn
Fort Worth, Texas

Who Should Attend?

With the exception of invited faculty, attendance is limited to 60 Texas criminal defense attorneys.

Revised Agenda as of 7/18/2013

Monday, August 5

8:30 am

Registration

9:15 am

Welcoming Remarks and Expectations

Barry Sorrels, Esq. & Jeff Kearney, Esq. 

9:30 am

Synopsis of the Facts

Reed Prospere, Esq.  

9:45 am

Developing A Theory Of The Defense In This & Other Cases

Reed Prospere, Esq. 

10:15 am

Break

10:30 am

Investigation: Victory Loves Preparation

David Guinn, Esq.

11:15 am

Storytelling Throughout The Trial

Tyrone Moncriffe, Esq. 

12:00 pm

Lunch Provided

1:00 pm

Lecture And Demonstration: Voir Dire: Seating Your Jury

Jeff Kearney, Esq. 

2:00 pm

Small Group Workshop – Voir Dire

3:45 pm

Break

4:00 pm

Protecting The Record: Elementary Objections

Bruce Anton, Esq. 

4:45 pm

Swing From The Floor: The Fundamentals Of A Powerful Opening Statement

Dan Hurley, Esq. 

5:30 pm

Review of the Day’s Work

5:45 pm

Reception

6:15 pm

Recess

Tuesday, August 6

9:00 am

Small Group Workshop – Opening Statement

10:45 am

Break

11:00 am

Demonstration – Opening Statements

Phil Umphres, Esq. & Reagan Wynn, Esq.

11:45 am

Lunch Provided

12:30 pm

Evidence: The Rules Of Engagement

Stephanie Luce, Esq. 

1:15 pm

Offering Persuasive Exhibits And Demonstrative Evidence

Mark Werbner, Esq. 

2:00 pm

Direct Examination Lecture: Telling A Clear Story

Darlina Crowder, Esq. & Rick Jordan, Esq. 

2:45 pm

Break

3:00 pm

Small Group Workshop – Direct Examination

4:45 pm

Demonstration – Direct Examination

Rick Hagen, Esq. 

5:30 pm

Recess

Wednesday, August 7

9:00 am

Managing Expert Witnesses On Direct and Cross Examination

Robert Udashen, Esq. 

9:45 am

Cross Examination Lecture: Rule 601 – The Tools of the Trade

Barry Sorrels, Esq. 

10:30 am

Break

10:45 am

Small Group Workshop – Cross Examination

12:30 pm

Lunch Provided

1:15 pm

Demonstration – Cross Examination

Tom Mills, Esq. 

2:00 pm

Lecture – Insights From Jury Consultants on Persuasion in the Courtroom

Kacy Miller & Karen Hurwitz , J.D., L.C.S.W. 

2:30 pm

Break

2:45 pm

Ethical Issues Every Lawyer Faces

Jeff Kearney, Esq. & Erin Hendricks, Esq.

3:45 pm

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

Sarah Roland, Esq. 

4:30 pm

Closing Argument Lecture: Deliver the Message

Heather Barbieri, Esq. 

5:15 pm

Small Group Workshop – Closing Argument

6:00 pm

Recess

Thursday, August 8

9:00 am

Small Groups – Closing Argument (continued)

9:45 am

Demonstration – Closing Argument

Bob Jarvis, Esq. & Dan Hagood, Esq. 

10:30 am

Break

10:45 am

Mitigation and Punishment: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

John Niland, Esq. 

11:30 am

Intangibles: The Will of a Trial Lawyer

Barry Sorrels, Esq. 

12:15 pm

Adjourn

CLE Credits

MCLE Credit

The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for 24.75 hours, including 1.0 hours of ethics. Sign-in sheets and/or certificates of attendance will be available for ALL states. Course ID Number: 901269814.

Specialization Credit

This course has been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and legal assistants in the following specialty fields:

• Criminal Appellate
• Criminal Law
• Juvenile Law 

Overnight Accommodations

Hyatt Place Plano welcomes our guests attending Criminal Defense Trial Skills at The Center for American and International Law. We have set aside a block of rooms with a group rate of $89 for 8/4/2013-8/8/2013. 

Please make your reservations by 7/20/2013. 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 www.hyattplaceplano.com
Type in Arrival/Departure Dates 
Enter Group/Corporate #: G-CL87
or 
Call 888-HYATT-HP (888-492-8847) or 972-378-3997

Dates available: 8/4/2013 - 8/8/2013 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 our office at 972.608.4427 prior to your arrival.

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.

Other Information

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.