How to Win an FCRA Trial

 

Track Chairs

Robert Sola

Sylvia Bolos

New to the FCRA? As a registrant you have free access to videos and PowerPoint presentations from the 2019 FCRA 101 Workshop. We highly recommend reviewing these presentations before the Spring Training.

 

Why You Should Attend This Track

The way to take your FCRA practice to the next level is to be willing to take a credit reporting case to trial. Knowing that you are willing to bring a case to trial improves case outcomes for you and your clients. If you don’t have the time to travel across the country to watch a trial in-person, now is your chance to watch our community’s top trial attorneys in action. 

This year’s FCRA track will host a mock trial from opening to closing and will include commentary along the way so that you can learn about common trial mistakes and how to replicate winning strategies. The FCRA trial in this year’s FCRA track will focus on an identity theft case. 

What You Will Learn

  • How to prepare your case and witnesses for trial – We will walk you through what you need to look for, what you need to know about their witnesses, and how your evidence is authenticated and admitted. 
  • How to present your case at trial – We will walk you through presentation considerations, setting the stage for bringing the emotional content to life, and developing an effective opening and closing statements.

 

7:00 a.m.Registration Open
Thursday, April 11, 2024
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast and Legislative Update
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.Evidence Gathering in Credit Reporting Case

What evidence you need to gather and admissible for trial


  • Hashim Rahman, Rahman Legal
  • Kari Rudd, Bay Area Legal Aid
  • Lauren Veggian, The Cardoza Law Corporation
    		•
    10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.Opening Statements

    How to give an effective opening statement and anticipate defense opening


  • Plaintiff Attorney: Justin Baxter, Baxter & Baxter LLP
  • Judge: David Chami, Consumer Attorneys
  • Defense Attorney: Guerino Cento, Cento Law, LLC
    		•
    12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m.Annual Business Meeting Lunch
    1:15 p.m.-2:15
    p.m.    		Direct Testimony

    How to present plaintiff damages and evidence of liability through direct testimony and be prepared for defense cross


  • Plaintiff Attorney: Sylvia Bolos, Consumer Attorneys
  • Judge: David Chami, Consumer Attorneys
  • Plaintiff: Emily Kennedy, Consumer Litigation Associates
  • Defense Attorney: Tony Love, Love Consumer Law
    		•
    2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.Expert Witness

    How to effectively present expert witness testimony


  • Defense Attorney: Suzanne Begnoche, Attorney at Law
  • Judge: David Chami, Consumer Attorneys
  • Expert: Evan Hendricks, Privacy Times, Inc.
  • Plaintiff Attorney: Robert Sola, P.C.
    		•
    3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.Adding TCPA to Your Debt Collection Practice

    How to bring TCPA claims as part of your debt collection practice

  • Amanda Allen, The Consumer Protection Firm
  • Justin Holcombe, Skaar & Feagle, LLP
    Moderated by Margot Saunders, National Consumer Law Center
    		•
    3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.Building a Better Federal Bench

    Gain awareness of the judicial selection process and how you can influence the process and build a judicial path

  • Ryanne Olsen, National Association of Consumer Advocates
    		•
    Friday, April 12, 2024
    7:00 a.m.Registration
    8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.Continental Breakfast and Women's Breakfast
    9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.Ethics Session: Overcoming Practical Challenges associated with Elder and Disabled Clients

    How to handle challenges that arise in cases with elderly clients
    10:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.Defense Testimony

    How to be prepared for the defendant's witnesses 


  • Judge: David Chami, Consumer Attorneys
  • Defense Witness: David Marco, SmithMarco P.C.
  • Defense Attorney: James Patrick McNichol, Kelly Guzzo, PLC
  • Plaintiff Attorney: Stephanie Tatar, Tatar Law Firm, APC
    		•
    11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.Lunch
    1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m.Defense Experts

    How to be prepared for the defendant's experts


  • Judge: David Chami, Consumer Attorneys
  • Defense Attorney: Matthew Loker, Loker Law, APC
  • Defense Expert: Jeff Sand, Weiner & Sand LLC
  • Plaintiff Attorney: John Soumilas, Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C.
    		•
    2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.Closing Arguments

    How to give an effective closing arguments and anticipate defense closing argument


  • Judge: David Chami, Consumer Attorneys
  • Defense Attorney: Erika Heath, Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C.
  • Plaintiff Attorney: Matthew Osborne, Ramos Law
    		•
    4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.Awards Reception with Congressman Hank Johnson