Voir Dire Workshop: Full Program

Registration and Welcome Networking Breakfast
For guests staying at the Home2 Suites

Welcome Remarks and Introductions

Voir Dire Goals and Pitfalls

• What you should never expect from voir dire
• Drafting effective questions
• The dangers in overselling your case in voir dire

Building Your Team and Your Rapport

• Getting your panel engaged
• Developing rapport
• Identifying potential group dynamics, early

Morning Break

Identifying Voir Dire Issues – Including by Use of Focus Groups of All Kinds

• The “usual” suspects (burden of proof, non-economic damages, etc.)
• The “surprise” issues and how to identify them

Social Media, Online Search Tools, and Questionnaire Methods Research

• Learn what types of big data are out there and which can be most impactful to your trial
• Use public and social data to spot potential conflicts of interest, or other issues, in your jury pane

Dealing with “Scary” Issues in Voir Dire

• Race, gender, immigration status, and other potentially explosive issues
• Case-specific issues that keep you up at night

The Hard Work of Planning for Voir Dire

• Preparing your questions with the goals in mind
• Protecting your honest jurors against “rehabilitation”
• Drafting effective questions

Making Your Record During Voir Dire

• Presenting your record for strikes for cause effectively
• Tools for using your peremptory strikes
• Special considerations, including Batson challenges

Active Listening During Voir Dire

Acting Techniques for Better Voir Dire Training Techniques: Voice Tone and Physical Presence

Calling Balls and Strikes—What Really Makes a Strike for Cause (Judicial Panel)

At the Home2 Suites

Welcome Back Breakfast
For guests staying at the Home2 Suites

Morning Announcements

Morning Workshop Group—Mock Voir Dire With Live Panel

Mindfulness in Practice: Thinking Outside the Box

Voir Dire in Practice (demonstration)

• Tools for effective listening in voir dire
• What does effective listening really mean?
• Practicing effective listening

Afternoon Workshop Group—Mock Voir Dire with Live Panel

Understanding the Full Opportunities in Your Voir Dire

• How voir dire can set the stage for your case
• Ethical considerations in voir dire (including Batson challenges)
• Why juror demographics shouldn’t dictate your strikes

Full-Faculty Panel

Adjourn