Why attend?
More than any other profession, the practice of law depends on the effective use of words, communication and persuasion. Through the study of some of the great American political
speeches and presentations of recent times, this practical seminar focuses on the basics of public speaking for all lawyers. Whether you are called upon to give legislative testimony, give a presentation to clients or simply have to talk to the press, this program enables you to understand what makes great speakers effective and to use those techniques yourself as a lawyer.
The course includes fun, practical, improvisational exercisesto be done in class and then at hometo enable you to improve on your own and conquer anxiety. Challenges unique to women speakers are also addressed. Whether you're a trial lawyer or simply have to give that occasional talk, don't miss this unique opportunity to improve an essential skill: the dos and don'ts of public speaking.
You will learn
Why lawyers are often poor speakers
What made Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy great communicators
How to improve your voice, appearance, and delivery
How to write a speech or testimony to get your message across
How to use humor in a beneficial way
How to respond to questions without hesitation
How to deal with a hostile or indifferent audience
How television changes what you should do
Agenda
A Brief History of American Rhetoric
The Five Key Ingredients of Oral Prose
Enhancing the Message and Getting Started
Matters of Style: Delivery, Voice, and Appearance
Visual Aids, Humor, and Dealing with Nerves
Technical Talks and Presentations: Handling Questions
Oral Argument
Appearances on Television or Before the Press
What to Say When You or Your Client Is in Trouble
The Informal Presentation
"Ask the Expert" Q&A Session
Steven Stark, commentator for National Public Radio (NPR), former Harvard Law School lecturer, and political columnist,
returns to MCLE to conduct a dynamic workshop on public speaking for lawyers. He is one of
the nation's most popular and highly
acclaimed CLE lecturers. A graduate of
Harvard College and Yale Law School, he
has presented hundreds of courses on
writing and speaking to law firms,
government agencies, CLE groups, judges,
and arbitrators. He is the author of Glued
to the Set: The 60 Television Shows and
Events that Made Us Who We Are Today,
published by The Free Press. His latest
book is Writing to Win: The Legal Writer,
published by Doubleday.
This program is NOT available for CLE credit.
If you intend to take a course for CLE credit, please make sure your state is listed in the "Accreditation" section to the upper right of the program description. Accreditation displayed is unique to the purchased program format (live conference, live webcast, on demand, podcast). Credit totals listed for live conferences are the maximum credits available. Credits issued will be based upon actual time in attendance. Credit totals for other formats are for complete programs. Partial credit is not available for any online or downloadable format.
West LegalEdcenter will not provide accreditation for states not listed.
This product is intended for individual use by the named purchaser. Group viewings for online programs may be arranged for five or more attorneys within the same organization prior to viewing by emailing west.wlec-sales@thomson.com.
