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2015

Trial Skills Training Camp

An Interactive Trial Advocacy Course for New and Seasoned Practitioners
Dallas Sep 25, 2015 Cityplace Conference Center
Conference Concluded
Houston Oct 23, 2015 Norris Conference Center - CityCentre
Conference Concluded
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Overview

Learn from experienced practitioners, judges and courtroom technology professionals at Trial Skills Training Camp—an interactive, one-day trial advocacy course for new attorneys, seasoned advocates or anyone in between.

  • Optional Early Bird Ethics Roundtable: Come early for 10+ tips on effective deposition techniques
  • Hear the latest on preserving error at every stage of trial and avoiding waiver
  • Identify the interplay between discovery and trial, including pre-trial orders and disclosures
  • Learn tips on how make opening statements and closing arguments effective and ethical
  • Explore tactics for preparing a witness and avoiding disaster on direct examination
  • Gain insight from courtroom technology professionals about innovative tools to support your electronic trial presentation
  • Examine the rules regarding depositions and learn how to use depositions at trial
  • Learn how to identify the most important issue in your case that will affect its outcome and develop a winning strategy at trial
  • Devise a post-trial strategy, win or lose
  • Discover techniques for getting or fighting attorney fees
  • Earn up to 3.25 hours of ethics 
  • Interact one-on-one with the speakers in the "bullpen" about your specific questions or issues 
Come a day early for Winning at Deposition: Skills and Strategy to learn tips and techniques to use during deposition.

  • Buy

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, Sep. 25, 2015
    Presiding Officers:
    In Dallas: Michael P. Maslanka, UNT Dallas College of Law - Dallas, TX
    In Houston: Samantha Barlow Martinez, Muskat, Martinez & Mahony, LLP - Houston, TX
  • 7:15 am
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • Optional Early Bird Ethics Roundtable
  • Optional Early Bird Ethics Roundtable
    Discussion group with conference faculty and registrants.

  • 10+ Tips on Effective Deposition Techniques
  • 7:50 am
    0.50 hr ethics
    10+ Tips on Effective Deposition Techniques
    Learn how to get the answers you want—effectively and ethically, including the three magic questions.
    This session has moved to 5:00 PM Friday.

    Michael P. Maslanka, UNT Dallas College of Law - Dallas, TX

  • 8:20 am
    Adjourn

  • 8:25 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    0.50 hr
    The Scarlet W: Waiver
    Don't get the label. Learn the latest about preserving error at each stage of trial, including evidentiary objections, jury charge issues and directed verdict or judgment as a matter of law (JMOL). Learn how to avoid waiving your argument on appeal.

    In Dallas:
    Richard B. Phillips Jr., Thompson & Knight LLP - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    G. Keith Grady, The Grady Law Firm, P.C. - Houston, TX

  • 9:00 am
    0.75 hr
    Voir Dire: Finding Your Enemies
    Lessons for conducting effective voir dire, such as how to expose a possible bias and prejudice in potential jurors through the use of scaling questions and binary questions on jury questionnaires, as well as the use of five generational issues in jury selection. 

    In Dallas:
    Moderator:
    Trey Branham, Dean Omar & Branham, LLP - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Jason S. Bloom, Bloom Strategic Consulting, Inc. - Dallas, TX
    Adam Boesen, Courtroom Sciences, Inc. - Irving, TX
    T Nguyen, Turley Law Firm - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Moderator:
    Derek S. Hollingsworth, Rusty Hardin & Associates LLP - Houston, TX
    Panelists:
    Joseph Y. Ahmad, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. - Houston, TX
    Edwin Sullivan, Oberti Sullivan LLP - Houston, TX

  • 9:45 am
    Bullpen Break
    Opportunity to talk one-on-one with morning speakers about your specific questions or issues in the "bullpen."

  • 10:00 am
    0.75 hr ethics
    Winning Opening Statements and Closing Arguments: Make them Effective and Ethical
    You have one chance to make a good first impression on the jury and one chance to leave them thinking about voting for you—don't waste them.

    In Dallas:
    Moderator:
    E. Leon Carter, Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Jason S. Bloom, Bloom Strategic Consulting, Inc. - Dallas, TX
    Pete Marketos, Reese Gordon Marketos LLP - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Moderator:
    Charles H. Wilson, Cozen O'Connor - Houston, TX
    Panelists:
    Suzanne L. Davis, EDGE Litigation Consulting LLC - Houston, TX
    Elizabeth Pannill Fletcher, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. - Houston, TX

  • 10:45 am
    0.25 hr
    The Three Rules of Avoiding Disaster on Direct Examination
    Three tips for getting key witnesses ready to testify, including witness evaluation, witness training and witness effectiveness testing with mock jurors.

    In Dallas:
    Adam Boesen, Courtroom Sciences, Inc. - Irving, TX
    In Houston:
    Dennis G. Herlong, Law Office of Dennis Herlong - Houston, TX

  • 11:00 am
    0.25 hr
    Use of Depositions at Trial
    An examination of the rules regarding depositions and how to use depositions in court.

    In Dallas:
    Jessica Brown Wilson, FisherBroyles, LLP - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Nancy R. Kornegay, Trahan Dinn Kornegay Payne LLP - Houston, TX

  • 11:15 am
    0.50 hr ethics
    ​Clear Thinking at Trial: Be Centered, Be Aware, Be in the Moment
    Stressed in trial prep and at trial? Inevitable? Yes. Manageable? Absolutely. Learn actionable techniques and tips for yourself and your witnesses in order to stay focused and effective.

    In Dallas:
    Melissa Marks Garner, Corporate Wellness Meditation - Dallas, TX
    Julie Innmon, FisherBroyles, LLP - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Melissa Marks Garner, Corporate Wellness Meditation - Dallas, TX
    Samantha Barlow Martinez, Muskat, Martinez & Mahony, LLP - Houston, TX

  • 11:45 am
    Pick Up Lunch
    Included in registration.

  • Friday Afternoon, Sep. 25, 2015
    Presiding Officers:
    In Dallas: Michael P. Maslanka, UNT Dallas College of Law - Dallas, TX
    In Houston: Samantha Barlow Martinez, Muskat, Martinez & Mahony, LLP - Houston, TX
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:00 pm
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Developing a Winning Case Strategy
    Most lawyers litigate a case without ever taking the time to realize what will really make a difference at trial. Learn how to identify the most important issue in your case that will affect its outcome and develop a winning strategy at trial.

    In Dallas:
    Moderator:
    Shane Read, U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Nicole T. LeBoeuf, Anderson Tobin, PLLC - Dallas, TX
    Kacy Miller, CourtroomLogic Consulting - Dallas, TX
    Hon. Irma Carrillo Ramirez, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Hon. Grant Dorfman, 334th District Court - Houston, TX
    John H. Kim, The Kim Law Firm - Houston, TX

  • 1:00 pm
    Break

  • 1:15 pm
    0.50 hr
    When You Lose: A Game Plan
    Yes, it happens. Transitioning from trial to appeal with a focus on the timing and substance of post-trial motions, bonds and notices of appeal.

    In Dallas:
    Carl Cecere, Cecere PC - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Kelley M. Keller, Ellison Keller, P.C. - Houston, TX

  • 1:45 pm
    0.50 hr
    When You Win! A Game Plan
    Discussion of strategies for collecting on judgment, including post-judgment remedies such as judgment liens, garnishment, execution, turnover proceedings and receiverships under the DTPA.

    In Dallas:
    Donna Brown, Donna Brown, P.C. - Austin, TX
    In Houston:
    Erin K. Copeland, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland, Briggs, & Josephson - Houston, TX

  • 2:15 pm
    0.25 hr
    Attorney Fees: Five Recent Cases You Must Know
    The ins and outs of getting or fighting attorney's fees.

    In Dallas:
    Stacey H. Cho, Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Daniel N. Ramirez, Monty & Ramirez LLP - Houston, TX

  • 2:30 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Beyond the ELMO: Graphics, Models and Much More!
    Juries expect to see visual aids and technology in the courtroom. Gain insight from courtroom technology professionals about innovative tools to support your electronic trial presentation.

    In Dallas:
    Moderator:
    Sean T. Hamada, Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Greg Glass, Point Multimedia LLC - Dallas, TX
    Ryan Malphurs, Courtroom Sciences, Inc. - Irving, TX
    In Houston:
    Moderator:
    Brian D. Melton, Susman Godfrey LLP - Houston, TX
    Panelists:
    Nancy Rose, Courtroom Concepts - Houston, TX
    Matt Spalding, Legal Media, Inc. - Houston, TX
    Tara Trask, Tara Trask and Associates - Dallas, TX

  • 3:15 pm
    Bullpen Break
    Opportunity to talk one-on-one with afternoon speakers about your specific questions or issues in the "bullpen."

  • 3:30 pm
    0.50 hr
    The Paper Chase
    It’s not just a movie. Explore the interplay between discovery and trial, including pre-trial orders and disclosures. Exciting? Maybe. Crucial? Definitely!

    In Dallas:
    Meyling Ly, Littler Mendelson P.C. - Dallas, TX
    In Houston:
    Kenneth P. Held, Schiffer Odom Hicks & Johnson PLLC - Houston, TX

  • 4:00 pm
    1.00 hr ethics
    How to Learn to Stop Hating and Start Loving the Reptile Brain
    Get the latest in cognitive theory and how to make it work for you—ethically and effectively.

    Ryan Malphurs, Courtroom Sciences, Inc. - Irving, TX
    Michael P. Maslanka, UNT Dallas College of Law - Dallas, TX

  • 5:00 pm
    Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Joseph Y. Ahmad

Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C.
Houston, TX

Jason S. Bloom

Bloom Strategic Consulting, Inc.
Dallas, TX

Adam Boesen

Courtroom Sciences, Inc.
Irving, TX

Trey Branham

Dean Omar & Branham, LLP
Dallas, TX

Donna Brown

Donna Brown, P.C.
Austin, TX

Jessica Brown Wilson

FisherBroyles, LLP
Dallas, TX

E. Leon Carter

Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Carl Cecere

Cecere PC
Dallas, TX

Stacey H. Cho

Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Erin K. Copeland

Fibich, Leebron, Copeland, Briggs, & Josephson
Houston, TX

Suzanne L. Davis

EDGE Litigation Consulting LLC
Houston, TX

Hon. Grant Dorfman

334th District Court
Houston, TX

Elizabeth Pannill Fletcher

Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C.
Houston, TX

Melissa Marks Garner

Corporate Wellness Meditation
Dallas, TX

Greg Glass

Point Multimedia LLC
Dallas, TX

G. Keith Grady

The Grady Law Firm, P.C.
Houston, TX

Sean T. Hamada

Carter Scholer Arnett Hamada & Mockler, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Kenneth P. Held

Schiffer Odom Hicks & Johnson PLLC
Houston, TX

Dennis G. Herlong

Law Office of Dennis Herlong
Houston, TX

Derek S. Hollingsworth

Rusty Hardin & Associates LLP
Houston, TX

Julie Innmon

FisherBroyles, LLP
Dallas, TX

Kelley M. Keller

Ellison Keller, P.C.
Houston, TX

John H. Kim

The Kim Law Firm
Houston, TX

Nancy R. Kornegay

Trahan Dinn Kornegay Payne LLP
Houston, TX

Nicole T. LeBoeuf

Anderson Tobin, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Meyling Ly

Littler Mendelson P.C.
Dallas, TX

Ryan Malphurs

Courtroom Sciences, Inc.
Irving, TX

Pete Marketos

Reese Gordon Marketos LLP
Dallas, TX

Samantha Barlow Martinez

Muskat, Martinez & Mahony, LLP
Houston, TX

Michael P. Maslanka

UNT Dallas College of Law
Dallas, TX

Brian D. Melton

Susman Godfrey LLP
Houston, TX

Kacy Miller

CourtroomLogic Consulting
Dallas, TX

T Nguyen

Turley Law Firm
Dallas, TX

Richard B. Phillips Jr.

Thompson & Knight LLP
Dallas, TX

Daniel N. Ramirez

Monty & Ramirez LLP
Houston, TX

Hon. Irma Carrillo Ramirez

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
Dallas, TX

Shane Read

U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas
Dallas, TX

Nancy Rose

Courtroom Concepts
Houston, TX

Matt Spalding

Legal Media, Inc.
Houston, TX

Edwin Sullivan

Oberti Sullivan LLP
Houston, TX

Tara Trask

Tara Trask and Associates
Dallas, TX

Charles H. Wilson

Cozen O'Connor
Houston, TX

Planning Committee

Samantha Barlow Martinez—Co-Chair

Muskat, Martinez & Mahony, LLP
Houston, TX

Michael P. Maslanka—Co-Chair

UNT Dallas College of Law
Dallas, TX

Credit Info

  • Dallas
  • Houston
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 8.00 hrs  |  3.25 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Family Law, Personal Injury Trial Law
You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number  provided on your certificate of attendance.
Toggle view California – 8.00 hrs  |  3.25 hrs Ethics
You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov.  UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
Toggle view Oklahoma – 9.50 hrs  |  4.00 hrs Ethics
You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
Other Credit
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 9.50 hrs
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 8.00 hrs  |  3.25 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Family Law, Personal Injury Trial Law
You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number  provided on your certificate of attendance.
Toggle view California – 8.00 hrs  |  3.25 hrs Ethics
You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov.  UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
Toggle view Oklahoma – 9.50 hrs  |  4.00 hrs Ethics
You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
Other Credit
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 9.50 hrs
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Dallas – Sep 25, 2015 – Cityplace Conference Center
Conference Concluded
Houston – Oct 23, 2015 – Norris Conference Center - CityCentre
Conference Concluded
Buy
  • Dallas
  • Houston
Individual
Last day for $325.00 Regular pricing: Sep 23, 2015

$375.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $295.00 Regular pricing: Sep 16, 2015

$345.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $260.00 Regular pricing: Sep 16, 2015

$310.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Sep 18, 2015

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Sep 21, 2015
Individual
Last day for $325.00 Regular pricing: Oct 16, 2015

$375.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $295.00 Regular pricing: Oct 16, 2015

$345.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $260.00 Regular pricing: Oct 16, 2015

$310.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Oct 16, 2015

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Oct 19, 2015

Venue

speaker

Cityplace Conference Center

2711 North Haskell Avenue
Dallas, TX
214.515.5100
Map

Parking Information

Complimentary self-parking. 

Nearby Hotel Accommodations
speaker

Warwick Melrose Hotel Dallas

3015 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219
214.521.5151 (reservations)
Map

speaker

Norris Conference Center - CityCentre

816 Town and Country Blvd. Suite 210
Houston, TX 77024
713.590.0950
Map

Nearby Hotel Accommodations
speaker

Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE

800 Sorella Ct.
Houston, TX 77024-1488
713-973-1600
855-596-3397 (reservations)
Map

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