The Lanier Trial Academy, presented by The National Trial Lawyers, is one of the most in-depth seminars exclusively for plaintiff’s lawyers. Lanier Law Firm founder and 2018 National Trial Lawyers President Mark Lanier will reveal many new trial techniques, strategies and secrets during The Lanier Trial Academy Master Class 6.0.
Along with the wealth of knowledge attendees will receive during Lanier’s educational presentations, pre-conference events will be open for networking opportunities and entertainment, such as a tour of the Lanier Theological Library, a 17,000 sq. ft research library opened in 2010 by Mark Lanier.
The Lanier Trial Academy Master Class 6.0 is formatted to add more time in the classroom, offering a three-day intensive trial academy where Lanier will share new material that has not been previously available to attendees. Below, you will find agenda updates of what’s to be presented during Lanier’s seminar:
Monday, June 20 - Registration Day:
Pre-conference events are open to all registered attendees of Lanier Trial Academy Master Class 6.0. Attendees must RSVP for these events* – no walk-ins will be accommodated. Attendees may RSVP for these events when they register for the conference or by emailing Sarah Hudson. These events are first-come, first-served with very limited attendance. If the event is full, there will be an option to be added to the waitlist for that event. Waitlist priority will be determined by conference registration date.
*These events are overlapping and cannot be attended at the same time. Please RSVP for only one event.
Meadow Golf Tour
Take a swing at the Meadow Golf Tour, a scramble-style golf tournament sponsored by Broughton Partners. Transportation to the Royal Oaks Country Club along with a delicious lunch will be provided. Learn more about the Meadow Golf Tour pre-conference event.
Lanier Theological Library Tour & Lemonade Social
Cool down with a fresh glass of lemonade and explore the Lanier Theological Library, a 17,000 sq. ft research library opened in 2010 by Mark Lanier. The library specializes in Biblical Studies, Church History, Egyptology, Archaeology, Linguistics, Theology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Adjacent to Lanier’s library is a replica of a 500 A.D. Byzantine Chapel. Learn more about the Lanier Theological Library Tour & Lemonade Social.
Tuesday, June 21 - Seminar Day 1:
Mindset: A Different Way Of Thinking
Preparing for trial from day one; developing themes throughout discovery.
What is the right approach to trying a case?
How does one set their thinking right?
What work will need to be done in each case, and why?
How does one triage the work for efficiency as well as effectiveness?
What checklists for supplies and materials are needed?
Time effectiveness.
Preparing your normal practice for the time you are away in trial.
Preparing your family/friends/organizations for the time you are away in trial.
Ensuring appropriate resources are available for mind, body, and spirit while away in trial.
Chemistry associated with selecting the trial team.
Identifying the trial leader(s) and understanding the chain of command.
Critical role of local counsel.
What to do with personal issues during trial.
Persuasion: The Latest Explanation Of Effective Communication
What is the difference in persuasion and propaganda?
How does one respond to propaganda tools of the defense counsel?
What is the best explanation for how effective persuasion works?
How does psychology affect persuasion?
What is the best way to make a presentation memorable?
How does one best motivate others to action?
What is the difference in teaching and persuasion?
What makes one story more believable than another?
How do people assess credibility?
How do ethics affect these considerations?
What are the reasons for road mapping?
How does one tell when another is lying?
Persuasion Techniques: The How’s And Why’s
How can one become better at communication?
What is the difference between audible, oral, and visual communication?
What is appropriate non-verbal communication in the courtroom?
What are practical ways to enhance one’s skill at communicating?
How does one persuade ethically?
What is unethical persuasion?
Is there a different approach for conservative or progressive jurors?
Wednesday, June 23 - Seminar Day 2:
Visual Aids
What makes a good PowerPoint, and how does one do it?
What is the effective use of a presentation device (IPEVO/Elmo, etc.)?
How does one use visual aids as demonstratives?
Theming And Countertheming
What makes an effective theme?
How does theming overcome case problems?
How does one identify which themes are needed?
How does one thwart counter themes of the defendant?
The importance of everyday items in constructing demonstratives.
Processing cases on the spot, with audience case examples examined.
Trial Structure
Mindset differences in small cases and large cases, in one-offs and MDL’s.
War room logistics; hardware, software, and security.
Negotiating with your hotel for adequate space and cancellation provisions.
Identifying loyal local vendors for trial support; 24/7 availability.
Ground transportation for plaintiffs and witnesses throughout the trial.
Adequate staffing throughout trial, including the briefing and appellate team.
Assigning folks to monitor/accompany the plaintiffs and their families throughout the trial.
Assessing and ordering the trial for the greatest effect.
Setting exhibits and cross-exhibits.
Making sure your best exhibits make it to the jury room.
The difference in structure between a long and short trial.
The five critical moments of each trial and how to prepare for them.
How to dress yourself, your staff, and your witnesses.
The best use of focus groups and community attitude surveys.
The use and abuse of gallery juries.
The ethical implications of surveys and jury work.
Rapport and respect for the Court’s staff; you are a guest in that courtroom.
Time clock pros and cons.
Motions to videotape trial for perpetuation in subsequent trials.
Minimizing litigation fatigue for your team, your witnesses and the Court.
Logistics associated with presenting witnesses via satellite transmission.
Assigning someone with encyclopedic familiarity with motions in limine to be on high alert throughout the trial.
Rapport with defense counsel throughout trial.
Dealing with Settlement negotiations throughout trial.
Dealing with the media.
Earning the Court’s respect.
The importance of timelines and signposts.
Having your witnesses develop a rapport with the jury and Court.
Strategy associated with witness order and managing the calendar throughout trial.
Voir Dire
The outline of an effective voir dire.
Explanations of what makes a difference in jurors and how to select them.
The use of questionnaires and models for use.
The efficient use of time in selection.
What types of questions work best?
What questions should be in every voir dire?
A special section on Trump jurors and our research.
Importance of what can be learned in the post-COVID era about jurors response to COVID, vaccines, etc.
Thursday, June 23 - Seminar Day 3:
Opening
The importance of an opening theme.
Road-mapping an opening.
Structure of a memorable and effective opening.
An opening checklist.
Samples of opening PowerPoints.
Direct Examinations
Preparing the direct.
Preparing the witness.
A checklist for preparation.
The explanation of what is important in style and content of testimony on direct.
The ethical considerations in getting witnesses ready.
Role of PowerPoint in direct examinations.
The difference between a direct of a fact witness, an expert, and a party.
Cross Examinations
How depositions prepare for a solid cross examination.
Doing the cross examination scrub.
The materials needed for cross examination.
The importance of attitude in cross.
How different witnesses call for different approaches.
The ordering of an effective cross.
A cross checklist.
The practical dynamics of an effective cross.
Downfalls and potential problems in cross.
Dismantling and setting aright the “Ten Commandments of Cross Examination.”
Damages
How does one effectively make a case for damages?
What are the ways to get punitive damages?
How can one increase the amounts for actuals and punitives?
The case for and against asking for a specific amount of damages.
Asking for a specific amount of damages, particularly punitive damages, that has a hook with the evidence (“Billion Dollar Baby”)
Closing Argument
Tying closing into openings.
Explaining jury instructions in closing- when and how to do so.
What works in closings and what doesn’t?
The differences in closing approach in a short trial and a long trial.
Samples of closing arguments that work and those that don’t.
If you are ready to network and learn Lanier's new material, make plans to attend the Lanier Trial Academy Master Class 6.0. Don't wait until it's too late! Register now and book your room at the Marriott Marquis Houston.
