Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A Personal Injury Opening Statements and Closing Arguments: Preparing and Delivering, Handling Objections and Related Motions Developing and Presenting a Persuasive Roadmap, Delivering a Convincing and Memorable Case Summation WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017 1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific Today’s faculty features: Michael A. Brusca, Shareholder, Stark & Stark , Lawrenceville, N.J. Robert F . Glass, Partner, Glass & Robson , Atlanta The audio portion of the conference may be accessed via the telephone or by using your computer's speakers. Please refer to the instructions emailed to registrants for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 10 .
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Opening Statements, Motions, and Closing Argument Michael A. Brusca Stark & Stark NJ and PA 609.996.9060 mbrusca@stark-stark.com
OPENING STATEMENTS 6
Why Important ◦ Opening salvo ◦ Up to 65% - 80% of jurors reach the verdict they ultimately render Opening Statement 7
What can it give you? ◦ Showcase your abilities ◦ Organized ◦ Gain the moral high ground Opening Statement 8
Tell it, don’t sell it ◦ You can’t advocate ◦ You don’t have the right Opening Statement 9
Avoid my client’s sad story ◦ Low activation emotion Focus on the defendant ◦ Fear, anger, disgust and hope ◦ High activation emotion Opening Statement 10
Begin about three weeks out Follow an outline ◦ Cohesive ◦ Good transitions Bring my outline up with me Basic Structure ◦ No mention of client ◦ Rules ◦ Terms ◦ Story ◦ Defenses Opening Statement 11
“Folks, I ask you to keep an open mind because, obviously, I talk to you last. I get up here, question witnesses after they’re done, when -- Mike was giving his opening, I saw some of you were shaking your heads. I don’t know what was going on in your minds but you were shaking your heads. I beg you to keep an open mind on this case. I beg you.” Opening Statement 12
MOTIONS 13
Be clear and succinct ◦ Preliminary statement less than 40 words ◦ Keep it as short as possible ◦ Who are you writing for? Clerk maybe – with 1,000 motions to read Motions 14
Explain it like someone is 6 ◦ Avoid citing 100 cases ◦ Short paragraphs, lots of white space Motions 15
Concede the obvious and don’t over -reach ◦ Gain credibility Motions 16
Attachments cut and pasted in document ◦ Avoid “see exhibit…” Motions 17
Closing Argument 18
You can now advocate ◦ Your Perry Mason moments ◦ Witness credibility ◦ Use the instructions Closing Argument 19
Cohesive ◦ Usually have and idea before trial ◦ Follow opening ◦ Use same documents ◦ Good transitions Closing Argument 20
What I avoid ◦ Don’t re -hash the case ◦ Don’t comment on defense counsel’s argument Closing Argument 21
Give the jury what they need ◦ “If someone tells you…you can remind them…” Closing Argument 22
Personal In Inju jury ry Opening Statements and Clo losing Arguments: Preparing and Deli livering, g, Handling Obje jections, and Rela lated Moti tions April 12, 2017 Webinar Robert F. Glass Glass & Robson, LLC Atlanta, GA www.glassrobson.com
Opening Statements: Key Elements • Storytelling • Credibility • Explaining why you are there • Begin to dismantle defenses • Set reasonable expectations • Empower the jury as the last chance for hope for your client 24
Opening Statements: Key Elements • Storytelling • Use the present tense • Keep it interesting with adjectives and descriptive words • Get the jury’s attention and establish a theme early on • Practice, practice, practice 25
Opening Statements: Key Elements • Credibility • First impressions go a long way • Be an advocate but don’t over advocate without having established your credibility to the jury • Be respectful of the jurors and your opposition 26
Opening Statements: Key Elements • Why are We Here? • Establish yourself as the leader of the trial • Begin Dismantling Defenses • What can you expect to hear from the opposition • “Let’s put that in perspective”… • Setting Expectations • Do not overpromise • Empowering the Jury • Emphasize the importance of their role 27
Opening Statements: Demonstratives • Is a picture is worth 1,000 words? • Option 1: Tell the Story: • “Because of the wreck, Ms. Smith had to have some plates put in her neck to secure her spine after the surgery” • Option 2: Show the Story... 28
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Opening St Statements: Usin ing Opposing Party’s Pleadings • Opposing counsel rarely expects to see their pleading responses after they have been filed • Using their own words against them seems to get the attention of the jury, especially when it contradicts what the lawyer will say • In an injury case, how often do you hear the defense say, “we accept responsibility for the wreck?” • What are they accepting responsibility for? 30
IN THE STATE COURT OF COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA CHRISTINE , ) ) Plaintiff, ) CIVIL ACTION ) v. ) FILE NO. ) ANGELA ) ) ) Defendants. ) REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION Please admit the following: 10. Please admit that you are liable to Plaintiff for the physical and emotional pain and suffering she has incurred and will incur as a result of the subject collision. Response: Denies. 11. Please admit that you are liable to Plaintiff for the medical expenses she has incurred and will incur as a result of the subject collision. Response: Denies. 31
Opening Statement Pitfalls • Over-promising and under-delivering; • Using legalease or complicated words; • Taking up too much time; • Disparaging the opposing party or their counsel; • Advancing too much argument rather than expectations of what the evidence will show. 32
Closing Argument: Key Elements • Don’t rehash the entire case: Hit the high points; • Describing events of trial that support your theme advanced in opening; • Speak with conviction; • Show emotion when appropriate; • Maintain a big picture view; • Ultimate objective: Arm your favorable jurors with the facts to advocate for your client in jury deliberations. 33
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