Here’s something new – preparing a compelling cross with ChatGPT. Recently, I came across LawStory – a newsletter by Keeley Blanchard, Trial Consultant.  Here is her summary of what her training session will feature:”LAWYERS:”Learn how to create a creative and compelling cross examination using ChatGPT. The workshop will include:• step-by-step instructions on how to…

 At Seattle University Law School I teach an online course entitled “Visual Litigation and Today’s Technology”. Cross-examination visuals are featured because they can be extremely powerful weapons for cross-examination. They can be used to gain concessions either supporting your case theory or undermining the other side’s case theory. Visuals can also be very effective for…

A checklist can be a survival guide.  Checklists are critical to pretrial and trial work. To illustrate the importance of checklists, Dr. Atul Gawande tells the true story of an October 30, 1935 airplane flight competition that the U.S. Army Air Corps held at Wright Air Field in Dayton Ohio to determine which military-long range…

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 My co-author of  Cross-Examination Handbook, Bob Dekle wrote Lindbergh Kidnapping Case: A Critical Analysis of the Trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann.  Although the Lindbergh kidnapping case has been written about innumerable times, never before has the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann been meticulously researched and analyzed. Bob and his co-author did just that.…

 Excited about the 2nd Edition of the Cross-Examination Handbook! 📘 This comprehensive guide provides law students and trial lawyers with the essential skills and strategies needed for a persuasive cross-examination. With step-by-step instructions and real case examples, including two criminal and two civil case files, this book offers hands-on practice opportunities for students…

 It is probably the most common mistake and a big one – the cross-examiner has the witness repeat their direct examination. Question: “On direct examination you told this jury that . . .” The error is grievous. It violates the 7th commandment of the famous Professor Irving Younger’s 10 Commandment of Cross-Examination: “Don’t allow the…