Testifying Skills Workshop
Testifying Skills Workshop
June 18, 2008 The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis |
Executive Summary
An expert’s value ultimately depends on his or her
ability to excel when testifying. Testifying Skills
Workshop is a hands-on interactive program which has been
designed to show experts exactly what to do, and what not to do when
testifying. It features concise didactic presentations combined with
numerous mock trial and deposition demonstrations using volunteer
attendees. The fact patterns, CVs, difficult questions, and reports
used in the demonstrations will be submitted in advance by
attendees. There will be ample time for questions and answers.
Here's what past attendees have to say!
“Faculty excellent”
“Very informative, enjoyed the fast pace”
“First workshop on subject attended, it was very informative”
“Well organized and informative”
“Hard hitting questions and how to avoid embarrassing situations”
“Liked 2 different presenters, both a delight to listen to, both very knowledgeable and dynamic.
The judge was particularly helpful”
“Passion and energy of presentation was excellent”
“As a professional speaker, I can attest that Geoff definitely has a speaking/presentation talent”
“Excellent program”
Distinguished Faculty
The Honorable Paul A. Chernoff
is an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Judge Chernoff received his J.D. from George Washington University School of Law. Judge Chernoff, prior to his appointment to the bench, was a member of the Public Defender Service, District of Columbia and chair of the Massachusetts Parole Board. Judge Chernoff has received the 1997 Judicial Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and the 1998 Massachusetts Judges Conference Superior Court Judicial Excellence Award. Judge Chernoff is on the faculty for the National Judicial College and the Massachusetts Continuing Education Board, and is an adjunct faculty member of Boston College Law School.James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq., has trained thousands of expert witnesses. He is a former litigator with experience in defense and plaintiff personal injury law and insurance law. He currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel of SEAK, Inc. Mr. Mangraviti received his BA degree in mathematics summa cum laude from Boston College and his JD degree cum laude from Boston College Law School. His publications include the texts Depositions: The Comprehensive Guide for Expert Witnesses, The A-Z Guide to Expert Witnessing,
Cross-Examination: The Comprehensive Guide for Experts, National Guide to Expert Witness Fees and Billing Procedures, Writing and Defending Your IME Report, How to Excel During Depositions: Techniques for Experts That Work, Writing and Defending Your Expert Report: The Step-by-Step Guide with Models, and How to Become a Dangerous Expert Witness: Advanced Techniques and Strategies.Tuition
The $495 tuition includes a continental breakfast, breaks, lunch with faculty, a detailed manual which can be retained as a bookshelf reference, and a dynamic learning experience.
Click here for registration information.
Continuing Education Information
Note: If your
specialty does not appear below and you desire credits, please
contact Karen Babitsky (781-261-9972 or Karen@seak.com). We can
often obtain desired credits upon request, but unfortunately,
obtaining some types of credits are not feasible. Please register
early, as we can only apply for credits after your registration form
has been received and it can take time to get the requested
approvals back from the accrediting agencies.
Accident Reconstructionists:
The ACTAR Continuing Education Unit has approved this program for
7.0 CEUs.
Accountants:
Earn 8.0 CPE credits in the field of study of Specialized
Knowledge and Applications. SEAK, Inc. is registered with the
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a
sponsor of continuing professional education on the National
Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final
authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the
National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite
700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org For SEAK,
Inc.’s complaint and program cancellation policies please call SEAK,
Inc. at 508-457-1111. There are no prerequisites for this
intermediate group live program. No advanced preparation is
required.
Appraisers:
The American Society of Appraisers will accept 7.0 continuing
education hours for this program.
Attorneys:
Credit varies by state. Continuing legal education credits for
attorneys will only be applied for if requested in writing when
sending in the registration form for the conference. Please contact
Karen Babitsky (781-261-9972, Karen@seak.com) with any questions.
Engineers:
SEAK, Inc. has been reviewed and approved as an Authorized Provider
by the International Association for Continuing Education and
Training (IACET), 1620 I Street, NW, Suite 615, Washington, DC
20006. SEAK, Inc. will award .67 CEUs to participants who
successfully complete this program.
Life Care
Planners:
The
Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC) has given the course
6.75 CEUs.
Nurses:
6.7 Contact Hours. This continuing nursing education activity
was approved by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91) an
accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s
Commission on Accreditation. ONA assigned #13,151. Approval valid
through October 26, 2008.
Physicians:
SEAK, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for
physicians. SEAK, Inc. designates this educational activity for a
maximum of 6.7 AMA PRA Category 1™ Credits. Physicians should
only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their
participation in the activity.
Psychologists:
6.5 CE Credits. SEAK, Inc. is approved by the American
Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for
psychologists. SEAK, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program
and its content. To receive credit each psychologist must attend the
entire program, sign in before the program, sign out after the
program and return a completed evaluation form. Partial credit is
not permitted. There are no prerequisites for this
intermediate group-live program.
Click here for Continuing Education Information.
Scheduleclick here to view the complete schedule
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
7:00-8:00Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00-9:30Depositions:
Special Techniques
Attendees will learn
the special techniques which should be used when testifying at
transcribed and videotaped depositions. Included is an explanation
of what questions experts are likely to be asked at deposition, why
they are likely to be asked those questions, the rules the attorneys
must play by at deposition, and how the expert deposition fits into
both side’s case. Deposition Demonstrations and Questions
and Answers. Learning Objective: List techniques to perform
better during depositions.
9:30-9:45BREAK &
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
9:45-11:00Direct
Examination: Persuading the Jury
Attendees will learn how to best connect with and persuade a jury.
Techniques explained and demonstrated include, speaking in laymen’s
terms, acting as a teacher, using proper body language and demeanor,
and how and when to use demonstrative evidence. Direct
Examination Demonstrations and Questions and Answers.
Learning Objective: Explain how to best connect with and persuade a
jury.
11:00-12:00Cross
Examination: Bending but Not Breaking
Attendees will learn how to stand up to even the most withering of
cross-examinations. Faculty will explain the goals of counsel during
cross-examination and the trick questions and trial tactics that are
commonly used. Techniques for deflecting counsel’s attacks and
excelling during cross-examination will be provided.
Cross-Examination Demonstrations and
Questions and Answers.
Learning
Objective: Discuss how to optimally perform during
cross-examination.
12:00-1:15LUNCH PROVIDED
WITH FACULTY
1:15-2:15Cross
Examination: Your CV
Attendees will learn how counsel will attempt to challenge their
qualifications during cross-examinations. Artful responses that
meet these challenges will be suggested. Volunteer attendees will be
cross-examined on their pre-submitted CVs. Cross-Examination
Demonstrations and
Questions and Answers.
Learning
Objective: Discuss the common lines of attack regarding an expert CV
and how to blunt these lines of attack.
2:15-3:00Cross
Examination: Your Report
Attendees will learn how experienced counsel will attempt to pick
apart their expert report. Advanced techniques to blunt counsel’s
pointed questions will be provided and demonstrated. Volunteer
attendees will be cross-examined on their pre-submitted reports.
Cross-Examination Demonstrations and Questions and Answers.
Learning
Objective: Discuss the common lines of attack regarding an expert
report and how to blunt these lines of attack.
3:00-3:15BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
3:15-4:00Trick and
Difficult Questions
Attendees will identify the most difficult questions they can be
asked as an expert. Artful replies to these questions will be
discussed and demonstrated. Cross-Examination Demonstrations
and Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: List the
common trick and difficult questions experts are asked.
4:00-4:30Takeaways,
Conclusion, and Evaluation
Learning Objective: List the most important concepts, techniques and
action steps learned in the program.