Product Description

IN PERSON WORKSHOP

Five intense days of personalized, comprehensive training provide you with fundamental courtroom skills from several venerable judges and experienced practitioners. This intense, rigorous, and challenging Workshop—as many of the state’s best trial lawyers attest—is vital for eager trial attorneys entering 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 a mock trial setting. From opening statements to closing arguments, direct and cross examinations, expert witnesses, and eyewitnesses, improve your trial techniques under the close scrutiny of trial judges and leading attorneys. Most of your trial performance is videorecorded, so you can watch yourself in action throughout the day and 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 closed-circuit TV 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 distinguished trial court judges, expert litigators, and experienced lawyers who share their deep knowledge of trial practice, along with their practical and encouraging critique, as your personal mentors throughout the week. Networking opportunities continue at the closing reception, with both students and faculty attending. You leave this Workshop with a sense of accomplishment along with greater confidence in your new-found trial practice skills.

Materials

All registrants receive a full set of problems and case materials published by T. Mauet, et al., as well as a copy of MCLE’s Massachusetts Courtroom Advocacy, which can be downloaded via the link emailed to you upon registration. Attendees also receive a print copy.

Registration Notes

• Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Registration by July 7 is highly encouraged. Persons who register by that date will be mailed the special Workshop materials. If you wish to register after July 7, please first contact MCLE Customer Service at 617-482-2205.
• Cancellations may only be refunded, minus a $100 processing fee, if we are able to fill your seat.
• You’re encouraged to bring one or two volunteer jurors with you to MCLE 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.
• This limited-enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass. 

Agenda & Materials

• DAY 1: JULY 15 - OPENING STATEMENTS AND DIRECT EXAMINATIONS
• 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

  Welcome and Introduction

  Hon. Beverly J. Cannone, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  
• 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

  Demonstration of Opening Statement and Discussion

  Ellen J. Zucker, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP , Boston
  
• 10:00 - 12:45 p.m.

  Opening Statements by Participants
• 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:45 - 2:15 p.m.

  Demonstration of Direct Examination and Discussion
• 2:15 - 5:30 p.m.

  Direct and Cross by Participants
• DAY 2: JULY 16 - CROSS EXAMINATIONS, RE-DIRECTS AND THE USE OF DEMONSTRATIVE AIDS
• 8:30 - 8:40 a.m.

  Welcome and Introduction
• 8:40 - 9:30 a.m.

  Demonstration of Cross-Examination and Re-direct Examination

  Leonard H. Kesten, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP , Boston
  Evan C. Ouellette, Esq., Northeastern University/Office of University Counsel , Boston
  
• 9:30 - 12:45 p.m.

  Cross and Re-direct Examinations by Participants
• 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:45 - 3:30 p.m.

  Introduction of Exhibits by Participants
• 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

  Use of Demonstrative Aids

  Sandra Gant, Esq., Federal Public Defender Office , Boston
  
• 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

  Introduction of Exhibits by Participants (continued)
• DAY 3: JULY 17 - QUALIFYING AND EXAMINING EXPERT WITNESSES
• 8:30 - 8:40 a.m.

  Welcome and Introduction Video
• 8:40 - 10:30 a.m.

  Demonstration of Medical Malpractice – Direct and Cross Examination

  A. Bernard Guekguezian, Esq., Adler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian LLP , Boston
  Christine M. Martin, Esq., MBTA Legal Department , Boston
  
• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

  Introduction of Exhibits by Participants
• 8:40 - 12:45 p.m.

  Closing Arguments by Participants
• 11:30 - 1:00 p.m.

  Expert Problems by Participants
• 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

  Expert Problems by Participants
• 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

  Demonstration of Closing Argument

  Anne S. Yas, Esq., Norfolk District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Canton
  Michael B. Barkley, Esq., Adler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian LLP , Boston
  
• DAY 4: JULY 18 - CLOSING ARGUMENTS
• 8:30 - 8:40 a.m.

  Introduction and Video (Judge Chernoff)
• 8:40 - 12:45 p.m.

  Closing Arguments by Participants
• 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:45 - 2:30 p.m.

  Trial Preparation and Faculty Coaching
• 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

  View from the Bench

  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Beverly J. Cannone, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• DAY 5: JULY 19 MOCK TRIALS
• 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

  Jury Orientation and Courtroom Assignments
• 9:30 - 12:30 p.m.

  Morning Trials

  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Beverly J. Cannone, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

  Lunch (provided by MCLE)
• 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

  Afternoon Trials

  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Paul A. Chernoff, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Boston
  Hon. Beverly J. Cannone, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  

Special Program Materials:

• Massachusetts Courtroom Advocacy

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

Fees

• $1,345.50 - MCLE Sponsor Member
• $1,121.25 - New Lawyer
• $1,121.25 - Pending Admittee
• $1,495.00 - All Others