Trial Techniques, Strategies, and Pitfalls
About
This Course
This program gives newly admitted attorneys a solid, hands-on foundation in trial techniques and courtroom advocacy. Participants will follow the flow of a trial from start to finish, beginning with jury selection and ending with closing arguments, while gaining insight into what works in the courtroom.
Through an interactive and practical approach, the course covers the core strategies behind persuasive trial work. We will focus on how to communicate effectively with jurors, build credibility through witnesses, and develop case themes that resonate. The skills taught apply equally to state and federal trials in both civil and criminal contexts and can be put into practice right away.
Designed for litigators, attorneys new to courtroom work, and lawyers looking to sharpen their advocacy skills, this program blends proven best practices with real-world examples that bring the principles to life.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the key goals and permissible parameters of voir dire and jury empanelment.
- Understand how to construct and deliver an effective opening statement.
- Apply best practices in preparing both lay and expert witnesses for trial.
- Execute effective examinations of witnesses.
- Design and deliver a closing argument that reinforces the case theory and empowers jurors to decide in your client's favor.
- Protect the record.
Production Date: 9/12/2025 | Closed captioning (CC) available
About the Presenters
Patrick Jennings, Esq.
The Ment Law Group
Practice Area: Litigation (+ 4 other areas)
Pat Jennings is an experienced trial attorney who started as a line prosecutor in Baltimore, Maryland. Since that time, he has successfully litigated cases as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, civil defense attorney, and plaintiffs’ attorney. The majority of his practice focuses on plaintiffs’ side civil rights, employment discrimination, and personal injury litigation.Patrick Jennings graduated from Boston College with an undergraduate degree in Political Science. Following a few election cycles' worth of work on political campaigns and non-profit advocacy, Pat attended Northeastern University School of Law. He began his legal career as a judicial clerk in the District of Columbia ...
View DetailsMichael Turiello, Esq.
Skeen Law Offices
Practice Area: Litigation (+ 4 other areas)
Mike Turiello is an experienced trial attorney who started as a line prosecutor in Baltimore, Maryland. Since that time, he has successfully litigated cases as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, civil defense attorney, and plaintiffs’ attorney. The majority of his practice focuses on plaintiffs’ side civil rights, employment discrimination, and personal injury litigation.Mike Turiello graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland with an undergraduate degree in Business and Management. Immediately after graduating, he attended the University of Baltimore, School of Law. His post-graduate career began in the defense contracting industry, where he helped ...
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