Trial themes can make all the difference in what the jury remembers about your case. If you use it right, a great theme will serve as the hook that brings the jury back—to your best facts, your best arguments, and onto your side.
Learn the process for developing and using themes and effectively weaving them through every aspect of your case from your opening statement to your cross examinations and closing arguments. In addition, learn how to develop rhetorical skills that will give you the best chance to win your case.
Learning objectives for this CLE include:
• Identify the qualities for an effective theme.
• Understand the process for developing a theme.
• Key strategies for weaving your theme throughout the entire presentation.
• Learn about rhetorical devices and which ones can make a difference for your case.
PRESENTER BIOS
Melissa Softness is a partner in the Miami office of RumbergerKirk. She focuses her practice in the areas of product, employment and casualty litigation. She has extensive trial experience from her years of practice and working at the Office of the State Attorney for Miami-Dade County. Drawing on her trial experience, Melissa teaches trial skills to law students by serving as a faculty member at the Kessler-Eidson Program for Trial Techniques at Emory Law. This week-long, required course for students includes a series of workshops that culminates with a simulated jury trial.
Scott Sarason, a partner in RumbergerKirk’s Miami office, is a seasoned trial lawyer representing clients nationally in cases involving product liability, admiralty/maritime claims, and general liability litigation. Among his clients are companies in the private sector including multinational corporations and manufacturers, major insurance companies and local and state public entities.
Scott has successfully tried cases to juries in jurisdictions across the country. In recognition of his courtroom accomplishments, he was elected to membership of highly regarded trial organizations including American Board of Trial Advocates, International Society of Barristers and Product Liability Advisory Counsel. He is also active as a court appointed member of the 11th Circuit Professionalism Committee. Scott serves as Administrative Partner in the firm’s Miami office. He served for several years as the firm’s Managing Partner and as a member of its Executive Committee.
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West LegalEdcenter will not provide accreditation for states not listed.
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