Product Description

ZOOM WORKSHOP

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This session will be held online via Zoom. Due to MCLE's website infrastructure, there is no specific Zoom option to select. Instead, choose the in-person program option to, in fact, register for the Zoom session. Prior to the program, registrants will receive an email with login information and instructions for the virtual session. 

This limited-enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass®. 

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Six intense days of personalized and comprehensive training provide you with fundamental courtroom skills from several venerable judges and a plethora of experienced practitioners. Through the use of student simulations and recorded lectures and expert demonstrations, this intense, rigorous, and challenging online Workshop is vital for eager trial attorneys entering the practice and for those who want to brush up on their trial skills. 

Spend the week "on your feet," arguing, questioning, and developing your skills in an online mock trial setting. From opening statements to closing arguments, direct and cross examinations, expert witnesses and eyewitnesses, you improve your trial techniques under the close scrutiny of trial judges and leading attorneys. You'll receive constructive feedback from multiple faculty members, including judges. The tips, videos, demonstrations, lectures, and group discussions throughout the Workshop culminate with a full jury trial on the final day. After your performance, you watch a live jury deliberation via Zoom before the verdict is delivered. This Workshop is your chance to hear what the mock jury thought of your skills, arguments, and courtroom demeanor. Supportive critique continues even after the trial as the presiding judge gives you unique, personalized feedback on your efficacy. You emerge with well-honed trial skills and the ability to face your first—or next—jury trial with confidence. 

This Workshop features over two dozen expert litigators and distinguished judges who share their deep knowledge of trial practice, along with their practical and encouraging critique, as your personal mentors throughout the week. You leave this Workshop with a sense of accomplishment along with greater confidence in your new-found trial practice skills. 

Registration notes 

Space is limited and pre-registration by Thursday, July 8, 2021 is highly encouraged. Registrants who pre-register in time will be mailed a full set of problems and case materials published by T. Mauet, et al. If you wish to register after July 8, please first contact MCLE's Customer Service Department at (617) 482-2205. 

You're encouraged to bring one or two volunteer "jurors" with you online on the final day of the Workshop—it's a fun learning experience for them as well! Jurors need not be lawyers or law students and no advance preparation is necessary.

Agenda & Materials

• Demonstration of Opening Statements and Discussion

  Ellen J. Zucker, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP , Boston
  
• Demonstration of Direct Examination and Discussion

  Thomas R. Donohue, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP , Boston
  
• Monday, Day 1: Opening Statements and Direct Examinations

  Robert M. Higgins, Esq., Lubin & Meyer, PC , Boston
  Leonard H. Kesten, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP , Boston
  Steven V. Loughlin, Esq., Middlesex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Woburn
  Jay Lynch, III, Esq., Lynch & Lynch, PC , South Easton
  
• 8:30 am - 9:00 am

  Orientation and Introductions
• 9:00 am - 11:45 am

  Opening Statements by Participants
• 11:45 am - 12:00 pm

  Break
• 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

  Direct and Cross by Participants (first half)
• Demonstration of Cross-Examination and Re-Direct Examination

  Leonard H. Kesten, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP , Boston
  Thomas R. Donohue, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP , Boston
  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff,
  
• Tuesday, Day 2: Cross-Examination and Re-Directs

  Thomas R. Donohue, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP , Boston
  John P. Graceffa, Esq., Morrison Mahoney LLP , Boston
  Mary M. Logalbo, Esq., MBTA Legal Department , Boston
  Jennifer L. Mikels, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC , Boston
  Tracy M. Waugh, Esq., Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP , Boston
  
• 8:30 am - 9:00 am

  Q&A From Yesterday’s Recording
• 9:00 am - 10:15 am

  Direct and Cross by Participants (second half)
• 10:15 am - 10:30 am

  Break
• 10:30 am - 1:30 pm

  Cross and Redirect Examinations (first half)
• Demonstration of Demonstrative Aids

  Joanne M. Daley, Esq., Federal Public Defender Office , Providence
  
• Wednesday, Day 3: Introduction of Exhibits and the Use of Demonstrative Aids

  Joanne M. Daley, Esq., Federal Public Defender Office , Providence
  Sandra Gant, Esq., Federal Public Defender Office , Boston
  Mark Tan Lee, Esq., Suffolk District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Cameron C. Pease, Esq., Goldman & Pease , Needham
  Jeremy Silverfine, Esq., Jeremy Silverfine, Attorney at Law , Belmont
  
• 8:30 am - 9:00 am

  Q&A From Yesterday’s Recording
• 9:00 am - 9:30 am

  Cross and Redirect Examinations (second half)
• 9:30 am - 9:45 am

  Break
• 9:45 am - 1:30 pm

  Introduction of Exhibits by Participants
• Demonstration of Medical Malpractice (set this one up last. It will be the most work)

  A. Bernard Guekguezian, Esq., Adler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian LLP , Boston
  Christine M. Martin, Esq., Tetzel Law LLC , Boston
  Dr. Leslie Shaff, Esq., Attorney and Anesthesiologist , Newton
  
• Thursday, Day 4: Qualifying and Examining Expert Witnesses

  Clarence H. Brown, Esq., Middlesex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Woburn
  Robert D. Burke, Esq., Proskauer Rose LLP , Boston
  Ellen Epstein Cohen, Esq., Adler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian LLP , Boston
  Hon. Elizabeth A. Dunigan, Essex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Nigel W. Long, Esq., Liberty Mutual Insurance Group , Boston
  
• 8:30 am - 9:00 am

  Q&A From Yesterday’s Recording
• 9:00 am - 10:30 am

  Expert Problems by Participants
• 10:30 am - 10:45 am

  Break
• 10:45 am - 1:30 pm

  Expert Problems by Participants
• Demonstration of Closing Argument

  Clarence H. Brown, Esq., Middlesex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Woburn
  
• Friday, Day 5: Closing Arguments

  Crispin Birnbaum, Esq., Access to Justice Fellow , Watertown
  Jeffrey N. Catalano, Esq., Keches Law Group , Milton
  Hon. Cynthia J. Cohen, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Cambridge
  Mark Tan Lee, Esq., Suffolk District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Andrew C. Meyer, Jr., Esq., Lubin & Meyer, PC , Boston
  
• 8:30 am - 11:00 am

  Closing Arguments by Participants (limit 10 minutes)
• 11:00 am - 11:15 am

  Break
• 11:15 pm - 12:45 pm

  Closing Arguments by Participants (limit 10 minutes)
• 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm

  View From the Bench: Ethics of Trial
• Saturday, Day 6: Mock Trials
• 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

  Morning Trials
• Note: All demonstrations will be pre-recorded. Please watch them before the week begins or between the days, as listed.

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty