Avoiding Trial Traps: Essential Strategies for Jury Selection, Evidence, Closing Arguments and Ethics in the Court Room

James M. Susag
James M. Susag | Larkin Hoffman

James M. Susag is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on franchise and dealer disputes, real estate, and complex commercial matters. He has been the lead attorney in over 100 trials and arbitrations in state and federal courts across the country and in domestic and international arbitration forums.

On-Demand: March 7, 2025

2 hour CLE

This program is only available to All-Access Pass Members.
Subscribe to Miami-Dade Bar + myLawCLEs All-Access Pass...
Get this course, plus over 1,000+ live webinars.
Learn More

Program Summary

In this advanced session, we will dive deep into critical mistakes that even seasoned trial attorneys often make and provide actionable strategies to avoid them. Whether you're dealing with jury selection, managing evidence, or delivering closing arguments, this program will help you fine-tune your trial techniques and elevate your practice. Join us to refine your skills and stop making the same mistakes.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Avoiding jury selection pitfalls: Identifying prejudiced jurors
  • Mastering opening statements: Techniques to engage and persuade
  • Effective cross-examination: Anticipating backfire tactics
  • Evidence rules: Common misunderstandings and how to navigate them
  • Winning with trial motions: Avoiding common errors
  • Techniques for presenting evidence: Avoiding rookie mistakes
  • Closing arguments: How small mistakes can undermine your case
  • Ethics in the courtroom: Navigating the gray areas

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

James M. Susag_Larkin Hoffman_FedBarJames M. Susag | Larkin Hoffman

[email protected] | 952-896-1572

James M. Susag is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on franchise and dealer disputes, real estate, and complex commercial matters. He has been the lead attorney in over 100 trials and arbitrations in state and federal courts across the country and in domestic and international arbitration forums. Jim has the unique perspective of a trial lawyer who has also managed complex litigation and developed strategic legal plans as in-house counsel. Clients appreciate his boardroom-to-courtroom experience in crafting resolutions for their business disputes.

Agenda

I. Avoiding jury selection pitfalls: Identifying prejudiced jurors | 1:00pm – 1:15pm

II. Mastering opening statements: Techniques to engage and persuade | 1:15pm – 1:30pm

III. Effective cross-examination: Anticipating backfire tactics | 1:30pm – 1:45pm

IV. Evidence rules: Common misunderstandings and how to navigate them | 1:45pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

V. Winning with trial motions: Avoiding common errors | 2:10pm – 2:25pm

VI. Techniques for presenting evidence: Avoiding rookie mistakes | 2:25pm – 2:40pm

VII. Closing arguments: How small mistakes can undermine your case | 2:40 pm – 2:55pm

VIII. Ethics in the courtroom: Navigating the gray areas | 2:55pm – 3:10pm

Preview
More CLE Webinars
Upcoming CLE Webinars
Sketching Legacies: A guide to drafting wills and trusts
Sketching Legacies: A guide to drafting wills and trusts Thu, July 17, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Single Member LLCs: Avoiding Risks and Seizing Opportunities
Single Member LLCs: Avoiding Risks and Seizing Opportunities Thu, July 17, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
PTSD 101: What attorneys should know (2024 Edition)
PTSD 101: What attorneys should know (2024 Edition) Fri, July 18, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Microsoft Excel for Lawyers (2024 Edition)
Microsoft Excel for Lawyers (2024 Edition) Tue, July 22, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Obtaining and Using Social Media Evidence (2025 Edition)
Obtaining and Using Social Media Evidence (2025 Edition) Mon, July 28, 2025
On-Demand
Live Replay
Microsoft Copilot AI tool for Lawyers (Part 2)
Microsoft Copilot AI tool for Lawyers (Part 2) Thu, July 31, 2025
Live Webcast