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How to be an Effective Expert Witness, March 31-April 1, 2012

March 31-April 1, 2012, Chicago, IL

The Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Chicago, IL
www.crowneplazaohare.com

click here for the conference brochure (PDF)

Executive Summary: The #1 way to grow an expert witness practice is to build the reputation of being an effective witness. This is a small group, hands-on, fast-moving interactive workshop covering deposition,direct examination, and cross-examination skills. Attendees will learn how to become markedly more effective and significantly more valuable expert witnesses. Instruction will utilize four methods: lecture, questions & answers, videos of experts actually testifying in real cases, and mock trial demonstrations using student volunteers. The mock trial demonstrations are based upon a C.V. and sample report submitted in advance by each attendee. Each attendee will have an opportunity to participate in demonstrations and to receive constructive feedback as to how to improve their performance. Each attendee will also receive feedback on their pre-submitted experts bio and report. In addition, each attendee will be provided with a content rich, 239 page seminar manual.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this workshop, you should be able to:

• Discuss the strategies and goals of opposing counsel at deposition and during cross-examination
• Describe how to properly prepare for deposition and trial
• Discuss strategies that can be followed when giving an expert deposition and when testifying at trial
• Explain techniques for excelling at videotaped depositions
• Explain opposing counsel’s deposition and cross examination tactics and how to defeat each tactic
• Describe techniques you can use when testifying at deposition and trial
• Discuss methods for responding to trick and difficult questions at deposition and trial
• List teaching methods that can be used to improve the persuasiveness of your expert testimony
• List techniques for developing powerful, memorable language and analogies
• Describe how to best insulate yourself from attacks by opposing counsel
• Discuss techniques to make a positive impression on the jury

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.

Steven Babitsky, Esq., is the President of SEAK, Inc. Attorney Babitsky was a personal injury litigator for twenty years and is the former managing partner of the firm Kistin, Babitsky, Latimer & Beitman. Mr. Babitsky trains hundreds of experts every year through SEAK’s scheduled programs for expert witnesses, invited presentations, and customized expert witness training programs presented to corporations, associations, and governmental agencies. He also serves as a one-on-one consultant to expert witnesses who desire to improve their expert witness practices. Mr. Babitsky is the co-author of the texts Depositions: The Comprehensive Guide for Expert Witnesses; The A–Z Guide to Expert Witnessing; How to Become a Dangerous Expert Witness: Advanced Techniques and Strategies; Writing and Defending Your Expert Report: The Step-by-Step Guide with Models; How to Excel During Cross-Examination: Techniques for Experts That Work; How to Excel During Depositions: Techniques for Experts That Work; and How to Market Your Expert Witness Practice: Evidence-Based Best Practices.

Registration Information:
The $1295 tuition includes continental breakfast and lunch with faculty each day and a detailed conference manual. All persons registering prior to February 1, 2012 will receive a complimentary copy of the best-selling 52-minute DVD The Expert Deposition: How To Be An Effective and Ethical Witness (a $104 value).

Continuing Education Information: Note: If your specialty does not appear below and you desire credits, please contact Karen Cerbarano (781-826-4974 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: SEAK will apply for credits through ACTAR upon written request at the time of registration. Accountants: Earn 17.0 CPE credits in the field of study of Specialized Knowledge and Applications. SEAK, Inc. 108578 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. To register, please follow instructions on page 2. Appraisers: Credits from the The American Society of Appraisers will be applied for on written request at the time of registration. Arborists: SEAK will apply for Continuing Education hours through The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) on written request at time of registration. Attorneys: Credit varies by state. Continuing legal education credits for attorneys will be applied for if requested in writing at the time of registration. Engineers: 14 PDHs. The acceptance of this course is dependent upon your state(s) of registration. The vast majority of states do not require preapproval of either courses or course sponsors. SEAK is preapproved as a sponsor by the State Boards of Florida and Louisiana. Life Care Planners: SEAK will apply for credits through The Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC) upon written request at the time of registration. Physicians: SEAK, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. SEAK, Inc. designates this live activity for a maximum of 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity Psychologists: 14 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

NOTE: SEAK does not accept commercial support for its programs and does not use faculty members with conflicts of interest.

LOCATION/HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:A limited block of rooms will be available at special rates at the site hotel, The Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare ($129 Single/Double). To make your reservations at the special group rate, please call 877-337-5793 between the hours of 9:00am and 8:00pm Eastern Time and mention that you are with the SEAK, Inc. Group. Rooms are limited and this rate expires on March 7, 2012, so you are encouraged to make your reservations as soon as possible. To make your hotel reservations online click here.

CANCELLATIONS: Conference cancellations received in writing prior to March 1, 2012 will receive a full refund.

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

SECTION 1: DEPOSITION SKILLS

7:30-8:00 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & REGISTRATION

8:00–8:30 Deposition Law and Procedure
You will learn what counsel can and can not ask, the extent of privilege protections, what objections may and may not be made, how to recognize and deal with abusive attorney behavior and whether you should read and sign the deposition transcript. Questions & Answers

8:30–9:00 Understanding the Strategies and Goals of Opposing Counsel
You will learn the general and specific goals of deposing counsel and how counsel will prepare to depose you. Questions & Answers

9:00–9:30 Preparing for your Deposition
You will learn how to prepare for your deposition, both alone and with retaining counsel. You will be provided with a detailed list of the likely areas of inquiry in an expert deposition. Questions & Answers

9:30–10:15 Deposition Strategies for Experts
You will learn a 4 step methodology for answering deposition questions. In addition, you will learn numerous strategies to truthfully and artfully answer deposition questions. Questions & Answers

10:15–10:30 BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

10:30–11:00 Understanding and Defeating Counsel’s Deposition Tactics
You will learn over two dozen tactics that are likely to be used against you and will be provided with strategies to defeat each of these tactics. Questions & Answers

11:00–11:15 Videotape Depositions: Special Techniques
You will learn special techniques which are applicable when your deposition is being videotaped. Questions & Answers

11:15–12:00 Advanced Deposition Tactics for Experts
You will learn numerous techniques that will help you to excel during your expert deposition. Questions & Answers

12:00–12:45 LUNCH WITH FACULTY (Provided)

12:45–1:30 Pulling it all Together: Truthfully and Artfully Answering Trick and Difficult Questions at Deposition
The faculty will go around the room and ask difficult deposition questions. The attendees’ responses will be critiqued.

SECTION 2: DIRECT EXAMINATION AND PERSUASION SKILLS

1:30–2:00 Introduction and Executive Summary of Persuasion Techniques for Expert Witnesses
You will learn the twelve key techniques to utilize in order to be a more effective expert witness during direct examination. Questions & Answers

2:00–2:30 Preparation
You will learn 15 techniques for how to best prepare to give persuasive expert testimony during direct examination. Questions & Answers

2:30–3:00 How to Best Put Forth your Qualifications
You will learn 14 techniques to more persuasively explain your credential and to put your credentials in context. Questions & Answers

3:00–3:15 BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

3:15–3:30 Commenting on the Opposing Expert and His Opinion
You will learn the special techniques to utilize when you are asked to comment on the opposing expert’s opinion. Questions & Answers

3:30–4:00 Developing a Harmonious Interaction with Retaining Counsel
You will learn how to make your testimony easy to understand and interesting to follow. You will also learn how to avoid making your testimony appear to be rehearsed and how to present non-traditional, “soft challenge” direct testimony. Questions & Answers

4:00–4:30 Creating and Using Powerful, Memorable Language and Analogies
You will learn 12 techniques for using more powerful, memorable and understandable language. Questions & Answers

4:30–5:00 Optimizing Your “Teaching” Skills
You will learn numerous techniques to more effectively “teach” the jury. Questions & Answers

Sunday, APRIL 1, 2012

6:30-7:00 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

7:00–7:30 Reading and Bonding with the Jury
You will learn 17 techniques to read and more effectively bond with the jury. Questions and Answers

7:30–8:00 Dealing with Problem Areas and Weaknesses
You will learn advanced ways to deal with problem areas during your direct examination. Questions & Answers

8:00-8:30 The Biggest Mistakes Experts Can Make that Can Turn Off Judge and Jury
You will learn how to avoid the 37 biggest mistakes that can turn off the judge and jury. Questions & Answers

SECTION 3: CROSS-EXAMINATION SKILLS

8:30–9:15 Protecting Yourself from Attacks on your Credibility and Credentials
You will learn 8 techniques for protecting yourself from attacks on your credibility and credentials. Questions & Answers

9:15-9:30 BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

9:30–10:15 Forming Airtight Opinions
You will learn 24 methods to make your opinions resistant to effective cross-examination. Questions & Answers

10:15–10:30 How Trial Attorneys Prepare for Cross-Examination of an Expert
You will learn how an attorney investigates an expert and his opinions and how an attorney maps out the questions that he will ask during cross. Questions & Answers

10:30–10:45 BREAK AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

10:45–12:00 Advanced Cross-Examination Techniques
You will learn over 40 techniques to be a more effective expert witness during cross-examination. Questions & Answers

12:00–12:45 LUNCH (PROVIDED WITH FACULTY)

12:45–1:15 Staying One Step Ahead of Counsel During Cross-Examination
You will learn 34 tactics that attorneys will use during cross-examination and how to defeat each of these tactics. Questions & Answers

1:15–1:45 Going on Offense During Cross-Examination
You will learn numerous techniques for how to turn the tables on opposing counsel. Questions & Answers

1:45–2:30 How To Skillfully Answer Trick And Difficult Questions
The faculty will go around the room and ask difficult cross-examination questions. The attendees’ responses will be critiqued. Questions & Answers

Price: $1,295.00