Mediation, Trial Preparation, and Trial

• Author: Larry Booth/Roger Booth
• Pages: 111-128

2A-1 (Rev. 2, 11/13)

Chapter 2A

MEDIATION, TRIAL

PREPARATION, AND TRIAL

I. OVERVIEW

§2A:01 Scope

§2A:02 Goals

II. MEDIATION

§2A:10 Mediation: The Only Road to Settlement in Substantial Cases

§2A:11 Tips for Successful Mediations

III. TRIAL PREPARATION AND FOCUS GROUPS

A. Focus Groups

§2A:20 Get the Right Mix of Participants

§2A:21 Why Do a Focus Group

§2A:22 Selecting a Focus Group Vendor

§2A:23 How to Structure the Focus Group

§2A:24 What Issues to Cover

B. Trial Preparation Tips

§2A:30 Keep Jurors’ Attention

§2A:31 Prepare Lots of Demonstrative Evidence

§2A:32 Prepare Page and Line Summaries of Depositions

§2A:33 Reorganize the File

§2A:34 Select Order of Trial

§2A:35 Don’t Let Damages Be an Afterthought

§2A:36 If in Doubt, Leave It Out

§2A:37 Prepare Opening Statement and Final Argument in Advance

§2A:38 Jury Instructions

IV. TRIAL

A. Jury Selection

§2A:50 Jury Questionnaires

§2A:51 Form: General Personal Injury Juror Questionnaire

Personal Injury Handbook 2A-2

§2A:52 Jury Selection

§2A:53 Checklist: Tips for Conducting Voir Dire

B. Trial Briefs and Pre-Trial Motions

§2A:60 Trial Briefs

§2A:61 Bifurcation Motions

§2A:62 Motions in Limine

§2A:63 Form: Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence of Workers’ Compensation and Other

Collateral Source Benefits

§2A:64 Form: Motion in Limine to Exclude All Hearsay Doctors’ Opinions and Diagnoses

and Proposed Order

§2A:65 Form: Motion in Limine Brief Re: Inadmissibility of Medical Records and Proposed

Order

§2A:66 Form: Motion in Limine Brief to Exclude References to Prior Acts of Witness and

Proposed Order

C. Opening Statements

§2A:80 Include Detail

§2A:81 Start With the Defendant’s Misconduct Before Talking About the Plaintiff

§2A:82 Talk About Expected Testimony, Especially Experts

§2A:83 Dealing With Length Limitations

D. Closing Argument and Post-Trial Motions

§2A:90 Do Not Just Summarize the Evidence

§2A:91 Walk Through the Special Verdict Form and Key Jury Instructions

§2A:92 Anticipating Defense Arguments

§2A:93 Use of Show and Tell

§2A:94 Limiting Rebuttal

§2A:95 Post-Trial Motions: Juror Misconduct