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SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR JURY TRIALS

The 4th Thomas F. Lambert, Jr. Conference

Sponsored with
The Macaronis Institute for Trial and Appellate Advocacy
The Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
The Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association

Please Note: This course has already been held.

Date: Friday, October 24, 2008

Location: Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA
Time: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Faculty
Schedule/Agenda
Registration Information

The late Tom Lambert ardently defended the civil justice system against groundless attacks by reformers based upon anecdote rather than data. The Fourth Thomas F. Lambert, Jr. conference brings together top legal practitioners, jury consultants, and academics to present the latest available empirical research on the civil jury and how this empirical research impacts successful practice strategies. The Conference highlights American Juries: The Verdict (Prometheus 2007) authored by Neil Vidmar and Valerie Hans, who are the world’s foremost experts on the American jury. This book sheds light on the future of the jury and whether it is balanced, fair, and democratic. Vidmar and Hans’ new book is a magisterial review of the past half century of empirical research on the American jury system testing anecdote against data. The authors, who work frequently with legal practitioners, will reflect on practice-oriented research findings such as the role of jury consultants, voir dire, admissibility of evidence, expert testimony, jury instructions, and technologies and training to assist the jury.

The Lambert conference blends academic research with practical trial strategies bringing together top defense and plaintiff attorneys. This practical conference provides a clear and concise analysis of every stage of the jury trial with practices and procedures specific to Massachusetts as well as other jurisdictions. Policymakers and academics will be interested in learning about the future of the jury and practical ways to improve how juries function.

Attend and Learn:
  • How to conduct pretrial jury management in light of empirical research
  • The best trial strategies and techniques grounded on the research on juries
  • How juries make decisions about damages
  • How juries verdicts compare to those of trial judges and technical experts
  • What role (if any) jury consultants play in influencing trial outcomes

  F A C U L T Y

  Professor Michael L. Rustad, Co-Chair
  Thomas F. Lambert Jr. Professor of Law and
Co-Director Intellectual Property Law Concentration, Suffolk University Law School
   
  Paul R. Sugarman, Esq., Co-Chair
  Sugarman & Sugarman, P.C.
   
  Professor George W. Conk
  Fordam University School of Law, New York, NY
   
  Leslie Ellis, Ph.D.
  TrialGraphix | Kroll Ontrack, Washington, D.C.
   
  Honorable Helen E. Freedman
  New York County Supreme Court, New York, NY
   
  Honorable Frank M. Gaziano
  Associate Justice, Massachusetts Superior Court
   
  Honorable Nancy Gertner
  U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Invited)
   
  Professor Valerie Hans
  Cornell Law School, Ithaca, NY
   
  Marsha Kazarosian, Esq.
  Kazarosian Law Offices, Haverhill, MA
   
  Marianne LeBlanc, Esq.
  Sugarman & Sugarman, P.C.
   
  Christopher P. Litterio, Esq.
  Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, Boston, MA
   
  Matthew B. Lowrie, Esq., Partner
  Foley & Lardner LLP, Boston, MA
   
  Jonathan J. Margolis, Esq
  Rodgers, Powers & Schwartz, Boston, MA
   
  Andrew C. Meyer, Jr., Esq.
  Lubin & Meyer P.C.
   
  John P. Ryan, Esq.
  Sloane & Walsh, LLP
   
  Dean Linda Sandstrom Simard
  Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA
   
  Professor Gabriel H. Teninbaum
  Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA
   
  Honorable Kathe Tuttman
  Massachusetts Superior Court
   
  Professor Neil Vidmar, Ph.D.
  Russell M. Robinson Professor of Law Duke Law School
Durham, NC
   
  Honorable William G. Young
  U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
   
  S C H E D U L E / A G E N D A

9:00 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Michael Rustad



9:10 HOW JURIES DECIDE CASES: WHAT PRACTITIONERS CAN LEARN FROM THE RESEARCH
Moderator: Michael Rustad
Valerie Hans & Neil Vidmar



10:35 HOW TO MAKE VOIR DIRE WORK FOR YOUR CASE
  • What Questions Should You Ask to Elicit Meaningful Information
  • How Specific Should You Be
  • If Judge Asks, Where Should Juror Answer

Moderator: Gabriel H. Teninbaum

Judicial Commentary:
Honorable Helen E. Freedman & Honorable Frank M. Gaziano

Jury Consultants:
Leslie Ellis, Neil Vidmar

Attorney Perspectives:
Marianne LeBlanc, John P. Ryan



12:30 LUNCHEON AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS
George W. Conk, Adjunct Professor, Fordham Law School
“The Vioxx Story”



1:45 PERSPECTIVES FROM DIFFERENT PRACTICE AREAS ON TRYING A CASE TO A JURY
  • What You Do Differently When There Is a Jury
  • How Jury Dynamics Affect Your Trial Strategy
  • How To Argue Complex Scientific Issues
  • How To Argue Damages

Moderator: Michael Rustad
Marsha V. Kazarosian, Matthew B. Lowrie, Andrew C. Meyer

Judicial Commentary:
Honorable William Young and Honorable Kathe Tuttman



3:30 WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR JURIES? SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND THE IMPACT ON JURY TRIALS
Moderator: Linda Simard

Judicial Commentary:
Honorable Nancy Gertner, Honorable William G. Young Honorable Helen E. Freedman

Attorney Perspectives:
Christopher P. Litterio and Jonathan Margolis



5:00 CONCLUDE

  G E N E R A L   I N F O

Date:  

Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuition:  

Tuition is $249.00; $199.00 for Suffolk Alumni, attorneys admitted to the bar after 2005 and members of MATA and MDLA. The course materials, continental breakfast and luncheon are included in the tuition charge.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU'RE PAYING WITH A CHECK:
Suffolk University processes checks electronically using the information on the check to create an electronic funds transfer. Each time you send a check, you authorize a one time transfer of funds to be electronically withdrawn from your bank account. You will not receive your cancelled check as Suffolk University is required to destroy the check after it has been processed. For more information please contact the Office of the Bursar at 617-573-8407.



Walk-Ins:  

Space is limited. Registrations at the door are welcome, but please register in advance to reserve a seat and your written course materials or call to confirm space availability.



Refunds:  

Written requests for cancellations received via fax or email 24 hours prior to the program will be granted a refund, minus a $15 charge. If you cannot attend, you can send a substitute, otherwise you will receive the written course materials.



Location:  

Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA



Credit:  

This course will provide CLE Credit in RI, NH, VT & ME.



Special
Needs:		  

If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please notify us as soon as possible.




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