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 the second part of this special guest episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small interviews Scott Duval, managing director at FTI Consulting, about the practical aspects of...more
In modern times at least, corporations have not been terribly popular. However, since the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO about a half a year ago in New York City, observers and the corporations themselves have been paying...more
Trial strategy isn’t solely a matter of collecting and presenting the right set of evidence and testimony—it requires organizing and crafting a narrative that connects with jurors. With each new jury, you’re back at the...more
In the first part of this special guest episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small interviews Scott Duval, managing director at FTI Consulting, to discuss the vital role of trial...more
When I first decided I wanted to become an attorney, I did not think about being in trial. Even in law school, I gave little thought about what it would mean to be in trial. Like a lot of people, my experience with being in...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer’s Handbook," litigation attorney Dan Small reflects on the question of what it truly means to "win" in the courtroom, sharing insights from his experience prosecuting the Farmers Export...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small shares personal stories from early in his legal career that illustrate the invaluable role of experienced trial observers and...more
What makes for an effective closing argument, and how important is it? Even after days of testimony and evidence, your closing argument has the potential to sway a jury’s decision and bring about a successful outcome for your...more
In this special guest episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small interviews Ian Ratner, CEO of GlassRatner and B. Riley Advisory Services. Mr. Ratner reflects on his three...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small recounts the challenges he faced during the Farmers Export grain elevator explosion trial. He emphasizes the importance of...more
Litigation attorney Dan Small unexpectedly took the lead in prosecuting the high-profile case of the Farmers Export grain elevator explosion, a major incident in Galveston, Texas, that resulted in the deaths of 18 people in...more
Much has been written about the demise of the civil jury trial, while not as much has been written as to whether this is a good or bad development. California Superior Court Judge Curtis Karnow, writing recently in the...more
An Illinois appellate court recently reversed a $43 million jury verdict in a personal injury case (Kroft v. Viper Trans, Inc.)1 involving an automobile collision, remanding the case for another trial—now the third—after the...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small recounts his experience as a new prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division, where he was unexpectedly...more
Law firms are increasingly using technology to assist and optimize their litigation and trial processes, and this trend will almost certainly continue into the future. In particular, the use of external graphics technologies...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small talks about his experience working in the Hyattsville, Maryland, Magistrate's Court and handling everyday cases involving ordinary...more
Key Points: Effective April 1, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has amended Pa.R.C.P. 220.3, pertaining to voir dire of jurors....more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small reflects on his journey of transforming compelling real-life trial experiences into valuable lessons for fellow litigators....more
A couple of weeks ago, I was in court to help pick a jury in a high-value case. During that early phase of jury selection, the gallery was full to capacity with potential jurors, the counsel and parties were present, the...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small reflects on essential principles for trial lawyers, emphasizing the importance of clarity and organization in presenting...more
After three weeks of an intense trial, a federal murder case defended by Dinsmore trial attorneys Kenyon Meyer and Philip Longmeyer went to the jury. Their client, Bobby Smith, was facing life in prison for a woman’s 2016...more
In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small discusses the challenges and strategies associated with using expert witnesses in trials. He advises against agreeing to stipulate...more
I remember listening to Justice Frank Cleckley of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, my professor for Evidence, open his first lecture with a discussion of Federal Rule of Evidence 103. As a young law student, I was...more
In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small reviews how the effectiveness of expert witness testimony can influence case outcomes. He outlines four critical components...more
It is common advice for witnesses in the courtroom or representatives at counsel table: keep a poker face. That advice — avoid scowls, grimaces, and other head-shaking reactions while you’re being observed by a jury — has...more