ABA CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS OFFERS INSIDE LOOK
AT HOW JURORS MAKE DECISIONS

CHICAGO, March 15, 2005 – Like NBC’s new series, Law and Order: Trial by Jury, an upcoming conference of the American Bar Association will offer New Orleans lawyers a behind-the-scenes look at the judicial system, from how jurors make decisions to effective methods for cross-examining expert witnesses. 

The conference, sponsored by the ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section, will be held April 27 to May 1 at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans. 

“I’m excited to host this conference in my hometown,” said New Orleans lawyer James K. Carroll, who chairs the Section.  “The programs we’ve planned will give lawyers a unique opportunity to learn some really exciting and creative trial techniques to elevate and enhance their practice.” 

In “Reel Justice: Power, Passion and Persuasion in the Modern Courtroom,” New Orleans lawyer and renowned trial advocacy expert Dominic Gianna will reveal jurors’ expectations for trials.  In a presentation punctuated with inspiring courtroom examples from film clips, Gianna will demonstrate how these examples can be adapted to create dramatic opening statements, powerful stories and persuasive closing statements. 

In another program expert trial lawyers from across the country will explore the art of developing simple themes to advance complicated cases at trial.  Panelists will discuss how to look for themes and test them, effective presentation of themes, and how to counteract the other side’s theme. 

A third program will offer insight on finding, preparing, and cross-examining expert witnesses.  Experienced physicians will participate through demonstrations, evaluations and discussions on effective use of expert testimony to improve courtroom performance.

Other programs will cover topics including mediation advocacy tips for staff counsel, fraudulent fire and arson insurance claims, contractual indemnity agreements, and metadata and electronic discovery.  A complete program is available at www.abanet.org/tips/neworleans05/neworleans05.html.

The ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section is the only national professional group to bring together plaintiffs’ lawyers, defense lawyers and insurance and corporate counsel for the exchange of information and ideas. The section has more than 30,000 members and 36 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters in areas including aviation and space law, fidelity and surety law, medical malpractice, transportation law and others.  

With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law in a democratic society.

Editor’s Note:  Reporters are invited to cover the conference for free.  For media credentials contact Beth Akins, ABA Division for Media Relations and Communication Services, at 312/988-6142 or akinsb@staff.abanet.org.

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