Direct & Cross Examination Skills Program
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, in partnership with the Roger Williams University Law School and the Rhode Island Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, is proud to announce the seventh program in its Litigation Academy.
The program will take place at the federal courthouse and will provide hands-on training and lectures spread over four days, starting Wednesday, September 27, 2017, and ending on Saturday, September 30, 2017. The program is presented jointly by the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, the Roger Williams University School of Law, and the Rhode Island Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. The program provides a unique opportunity for participants to hone their skills questioning witnesses in a mock trial setting, with constructive critiques by judges and experienced trial lawyers and professional actors serving as witnesses.
The schedule for the program is:
Wednesday, September 27:
2:00 p.m. Lecture: Direct Examinations
3:20 p.m. Lecture: Cross Examinations
4:10 p.m. Demonstration in Courtroom One
5:00 p.m. Reception in Jury Assembly
Thursday, September 28:
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Witness Preparation
Friday, September 29:
9:30 a.m. Lecture: Ethics of Direct & Cross Examinations
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Drills: Getting Exhibits into Evidence
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Drills: Impeaching the Witness
Saturday, September 30:
9:00 a.m. Lecture: Objections & Managing the Difficult Witness
10:00 a.m. Workshop: Direct & Cross Examinations
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Provided
1:00 p.m. Workshop: Direct & Cross Examinations
3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
13 CLE credits will be available. The cost of the program is $375 (including course materials and lunch on Saturday). Some partial scholarships are available based on financial hardship from the Rhode Island Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. If you would like to apply for such a scholarship, please go ahead and register and, at the same time, write separately to Richard Ratcliffe (rratcliffe@rhgllp.com) with a brief description of the nature of your law practice and a request to be considered for a scholarship.
We will begin accepting applicants into the program on Friday, August 4, 2017, continuing thereafter until the program is filled. If accepted, you will be notified by e-mail, with instructions on making payment.
If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact the program chairs, Brooks Magratten (bmagratten@pierceatwood.com; 401-490-3422) or Assistant Dean Niki Kuckes (nkuckes@rwu.edu; 401-254-4505).
