Direct to Closing

Session Chairs

Ronald Wilcox

Duran Keller

“Wilcox is a sage; Keller, a phenom. You’ll learn to better know your client, your adversary, and yourself. Every practitioner who tries or wants to try actual damage cases needs to attend this workshop.”
Andrew Milz

 

 

 

Why You Should Attend This Workshop

On May 2 and 3, we will be offering a two-day pre-conference workshop on closing statements.

Knowing how to find and tell your client’s story is the most important skill you need to become a successful trial attorney. This year’s trial skills workshop will prepare you to craft a successful closing argument.

Preparing a case for trial starts during your first meeting with a client and learning why they are seeking legal representation. Throughout the course of the case, you gather evidence to support your narrative that describes what has happened to your client and the impact that the violation has had on their day-to-day life. By the time you are ready to bring the case to trial, you should know your client’s story in and out and can craft a closing statement that will convince the jury or the arbitrator to rule on your client’s behalf.

What You Will Learn

  • How to find the theme for your case
  • How to frame your client’s story to resonate with the jury
  • How to deliver a more effective closing statement

Please note: this workshop is SOLD OUT but main conference registration is still available.

Register for Spring Training

Agenda

Tuesday, May 2, 2023
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.The Power of Listening

Listening exercises in small groups.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    10:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.Sociometry - Finding Commonality

    Learn how commonality helps case preparation.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.Lunch
    1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.Learning the Client's Story Part 1

    How to learn your client's story.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.Learning the Client's Story Part 2

    Practice learning your client's story.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    3:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.Coffee Break
    3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.Learning the Defendant's Story

    Learning the defendant's story.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    Wednesday, May 3, 2023
    7:30 a.m.Registration Open
    8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.Breakfast and Legislative and Regulatory Updates
  • Daniel Dwyer
  • Christine Hines
    		•
    9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.Finding the Most Important Story for Your Case

    Identifying the most important story available to you.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    10:15 a.m. -11:45 a.m.Closing Statements Part I

    Attendees will be on their feet to give a closing and receive feedback. Effective storytelling will be discussed. Learn how the use of stories creates powerful closings.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.Lunch
    1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.Closing Statements Part 2

    Attendees will be on their feet and again give closings after feedback.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.Closing Statements Part 3

    Attendees will be on their feet and again give closings after feedback.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•
    3:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.Coffee Break
    3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.Wrap-Up Session

    Everyone will share what they have learned and how they will use what they learned to better present their cases.

  • Scott Borison
  • Duran Keller
  • Ronald Wilcox
    		•