Product Description

All sessions will be held in-person at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse. This limited-enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass.

On Trial with Judge Young is an unparalleled learning opportunity for the attorney who is preparing for or currently engaged in trial practice. Judge William G. Young of the U.S. District Court guides practitioners toward confident, practical mastery of trial technique and the law of trial evidence, both state and federal. Taking this course gives you a deep knowledge of the skills and experience required for trial practice—insight that can only come from an in-depth, expert examination of the actual trial process. 

In addition to a careful discussion of trial technique and tips, each weekly meeting includes an hour-long observation of actual trials in progress. Participants have the opportunity to discuss and observe first-hand motion practice, impanelment of juries, arguments concerning directed verdicts, closing arguments, and the Judge's charge. As the program proceeds through active discussion in chambers and clinical courtroom observation, enrollment is limited to ensure the greatest degree of individual participation. 

William G. Young, District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, has been an active trial judge, serving on both the Massachusetts Superior Court and the U.S. District Court. A longtime teacher of evidence and trial advocacy, he is a member of the faculty of Boston College and Boston University Law Schools and has frequently served as a trial advocacy team leader at Harvard Law School and in MCLE’s summer Trial Advocacy Workshop. He is the author of numerous MCLE publications, including the highly acclaimed Reflections of a Trial Judge. An electrifying lecturer, Judge Young has specifically crafted this program to distill the very best of his four decades of teaching into a small group discussion format.

Health and Safety Note: Per U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusettts General Order 22-2, "All persons entering the Courthouse (including attorneys, witnesses, parties, or members of the general public) must conduct a health self-assessment in advance of entry." Please see https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/general/covid.htm.

Agenda & Materials

• Tuesday, September 6th
• 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

  Orientation

  Courtroom 18, 5th floor

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, September 13th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  The theory of relevance

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, September 20th
• 8:30 am -10:30 am

  Trial preparation

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, September 27th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 pm

  Trial procedures

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, October 4th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Direct and cross-examination techniques

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, October 11th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Impeachment

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, October 18th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Arguments at trial

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, October 25th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Theory of rule against hearsay

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, November 1st
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Prior statements of witnesses

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, November 8th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Experts

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, November 15th
• No class
• Tuesday, November 29th

  Privileges and confidential data

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, December 6th
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am

  Presumptions and judicial notice

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• Tuesday, December 13th
• 8:30 am -10:30 am

  Evidentiary foundations

  Hon. William G. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts , Boston
  

Special Program Materials:

• Federal Civil Litigation in the First Circuit

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.

Chair