To register for the full Litigation Stream (8 programs), please click on 'PURCHASE'. Select from the list below if you would like to register for a single program.

Writing for Litigators
Presented live on November 9, 2010
Recording available

Improve the accuracy, clarity and coherence of your legal writing, and learn how to more effectively review and revise the writing of others. Through practical and interactive exercises, and using specific examples of writing for clients and writing for judges, our expert instructors will help new litigators acquire this essential skill and more seasoned practitioners take their written advocacy to the next level.

• Writing to persuade
• Practical tips for improving your legal writing style
• Writing for a client - client letters
• Writing to the other side - counsel letters
• Writing for a judge (pleadings, motion materials & affidavits)

Preparing Clients for Discovery and Trial
Presented live on December 7, 2010
Recording available

Learn how to effectively prepare lay witnesses for discovery and trial. Dramatized vignettes will bring our panel's strategies and techniques to life, and help you to help your client make a positive impact with their testimony.

• The legal interview: interviewer skills and responsibilities
• Preparing a witness to testify
• Preparing your client for discovery 
• Preparing your client for examination-in-chief and cross-examination at trial
• Ethical issues in witness preparation

Conducting and Defending a Discovery
Presented live on February 7, 2011
Recording available

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to successfully plan and prepare for discovery, and effectively conduct and defend an examination. Video demonstrations of how to examine a difficult witness and deal with difficult opposing counsel, along with guidance from our panel, will enable you to approach your next discovery with confidence.

• Purpose and objectives of discovery
• Rules governing the conduct of a discovery
• Strategies and techniques for getting the most out of a witness 
• Dealing with the unresponsive witness
• Defending a discovery: the limits of zealous advocacy
• Responding to unprofessional conduct by opposing counsel 
• Post-discovery tasks

Excelling at Motion Argument
Presented Live on  March 1, 2011
Recording Available

Acquire strategies and techniques for effective motion argument. Instruction from our experienced panel, supplemented by video vignettes of effective (and ineffective) techniques, will teach you the do's and don'ts of motion planning, strategy and argument.

• Purpose of motion advocacy
• Motion planning
• Preparing for and making your oral argument 
• Ethical motion practice

Evidence and Objections at Trial
Presented live on: March 23, 2011
Recording Available

Understand when and how to make and respond to objections, and when to keep silent. Experienced advocates will teach you, with the help of video demonstration and interactive tools, the proper grounds for objection and how to effectively argue and respond to them.

• Purpose of objections
• Objection strategy
• Recognizing objectionable evidence
• Making objections
• Responding to objections 
• Receiving objections rulings
• Ethical objection practice

Examination-in-chief of Fact Witnesses
Presented live on: April 21, 2011
Recording Available

Learn the basics of preparing for and conducting examination-in-chief of fact witnesses at trial. Supported by video demonstration, expert panelists will guide you through the steps to organize your examination, admit and use documents, and frame your questions in order to get the most from your witnesses and insulate them from damage on cross-examination.

• Purpose and scope of examination-in-chief
• Preparing for examination-in-chief
• Conducting examination-in-chief
• Introduction and use of exhibits at trial
• Difficult witnesses
• Re-examination/rehabilitation
• Ethical issues in witness examination

Cross-examination of Fact Witnesses
Presented Live on May 17, 2011
Recording Available

Learn how to conduct a successful cross-examination from experienced litigators. Dynamic video demonstrations and practical instruction will help you to master cross-examination and impeachment techniques.

• Purpose and scope of cross-examination
• Preparing for cross-examination
• Approach to cross-examination
• Conducting cross-examination  
  • Organization
  • Form of questions
  • Pacing
• Difficult witnesses
• Impeachment
• Ethical issues in cross-examination

Retaining and Presenting Experts at Trial
Presented Live On:  June 14, 2011
Recording Available

Learn how to find, retain, prepare and present expert witnesses. From identifying the expertise needed, to preparation of the expert's opinion, to examination and cross- examination of experts at trial - this session covers the field. Realistic video demonstrations will showcase best practices in meeting these challenges.

• Selecting and retaining experts
• Working with your expert /preparation of the opinion
• Planning your case and preparing your expert for trial
• Qualifying your expert 
• Examination-in-chief of your expert 
• Preparing for and cross-examining the opposing expert
• Ethical and professional issues in presenting expert testimony