Podcast - Part II: The Do’s and Don’ts of Demonstratives
Podcast - Part I - The Do’s and Don’ts of Demonstratives
Podcast - How Do You Define Success?
Podcast - Seek Out Feedback
Podcast - Part I: Being an Expert Is a Lonely Business
Podcast - Finding Common Ground
Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 504: Listen and Learn -- Motions for Judgment as a Matter of Law and Motions for New Trial (Civ Pro)
Podcast - "Ready for Trial?"
Podcast - Every Case Is a New World
Podcast - The 3 Core Themes of Trial Law: Do the Right Thing
Podcast - How Did We Get Here?
Podcast - Parting Thoughts: Be a "Peddler of Common Sense"
Against All Odds- Part Four
Podcast - Expert Witnesses, Special Issues
Podcast - Direct Examination of Expert Witnesses
Podcast - Drowning in Complexity
Podcast: Part I - Reading the Jury
Podcast - How to Use Humor and Anger Effectively in the Courtroom
Preparing for Deposition Success
Podcast - Connecting Separate Pieces of Evidence Clearly, Persuasively
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses how complex trials often leave jurors feeling overwhelmed and disengaged. He emphasizes that lawyers frequently...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook," litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the art of persuasive delivery in the courtroom. He shares invaluable strategies emphasizing the significance of factors such as...more
Perhaps one of the most quintessential concerns for corporate defendants in the last decade is that of nuclear verdicts. In just a decade, from 2013 to 2022, there were 115 verdicts of $100 million or more. The Institute for...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explores three pivotal trends that have significantly impacted courtroom advocacy in recent years: the digital revolution,...more
First impressions are crucial—especially when you’re delivering an opening statement to a court of law, establishing and framing the crux of a case for judges and jurors when a trial begins. Clarity, conciseness, resonance,...more
Litigation attorney Dan Small shares insights and strategies for delivering a compelling closing argument in this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series. He explains the challenges of delivering a closing...more
Case preparation can take months of research, depositions, and strategic planning—all for that one high-pressure moment in court. Even learning how to write a good opening statement can take a considerable amount of time and...more
It has become more commonplace to hear talk about a future of litigation without peremptory strikes. After all, Arizona in 2022 was the first state to eliminate strikes in all cases, and it may not be the last. California and...more
Michael Cohen, the “Fixer” for Donald Trump, has recently gotten off the stand in the former President’s “hush money” trial. Those taking aim at Cohen’s testimony have pointed out frequent use of “I don’t recall” on many of...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the real-world challenges of direct examination, emphasizing that while the ideal scenario would be a perfectly coherent...more
Your typical mock trial might involve three juries, with a total of 30 or so mock jurors. The typical public opinion poll run by an organization like Gallup, however, can involve more like 1000 participants. So what is the...more
In this episode of FCRA Focus, join host Dave Gettings and fellow partner, Jason Manning, as they delve into Jason’s recent experiences trying a consumer case in front of a jury. Jason and Dave discuss the impact of...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small outlines the importance of connecting with jurors from the beginning of the trial. He explains that an important aspect of drawing...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small describes different approaches to opening statements in a trial, outlining three common styles: dramatic, theme-oriented and...more
Litigation attorney Dan Small continues his insightful "Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series with a new episode focused on opening statements. Drawing from his extensive trial experience, Mr. Small offers practical tips...more
In my work, I get to watch many attorneys go through the practical rituals of jury selection. A big part of the job is looking for, setting up, and executing challenges for cause when there are reasons to doubt potential...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the use of jargon within a courtroom. Mr. Small goes over the negative impact that it can have on the jury and...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, Holland & Knight litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the use of legalese in the courtroom. He advises attorneys to avoid using too much legal jargon...more
As a litigator, my first legal position was as a Navy JAG, handling cases first as a defense attorney, then as a prosecutor. Since leaving from the Navy, my practice has focused on patent litigation. But I’ve never had an...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses why demonstrative aids are critical in every case. Mr. Small shares why he believes simple demonstratives, when...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small highlights seven basic ways to effectively show a document or other exhibit to the jury. Mr. Small shares why the...more
On December 1, 2023, the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) 702 will undergo several changes designed to reinforce federal judges’ role as gatekeepers for admitting expert testimony. The changes reinforce the preponderance of...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small is joined by Jason Bloom, a jury consultant and the founder and president of Bloom Strategic Consulting Inc., for an...more
The court’s purpose in voir dire is to use the time to identify and eliminate those jurors who would have the hardest time giving the case a fair hearing. But layered onto that purpose is the advocate’s goal of working toward...more