TED knows a lot about a broad range of topics: from climate change and space exploration, to world travel and general life happiness, TED’s famous friends are happy to engage listeners in an array of well-rounded discussions.
TED, of course, isn’t a person but an acronym standing for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. TED was born 30 years ago in 1984, but the first TED conference was unsuccessful at best. In 1990, the TED Conference became an annual event, and, in 2001, TED was acquired by the nonprofit Sapling Foundation, which reconceptualized TED to become what it is today. The TED conference and associated web site of recorded conference presentations (“TED Talks”) gained prominence in 2006, and since that time TED Talks have had over one billion views.
Running 18 minutes or less, TED talks are arguably perfect – not too long, ensuring that you remain engaged, yet just long enough to provide the correct amount of information for you to retain. But what does TED know about trial practice? Or, more precisely, what does TED know about women litigators?
“Trouble at Trial: How to Know You’re Getting Into It – and How to Get Out of It” will walk the audience through particular trouble areas that arise during trial, from how to make a Batson challenge during jury selection, to drafting a verdict form, and everything in between. The Women in the Law Seminar is borrowing from TED and offering short, information-packed trial skills presentations given by six dynamic speakers.
TED speakers are traditionally thinkers, doers, and idea-generators, and this line-up of amazing women is no exception: Rachel Daly, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, will cover the nuts and bolts of Batson challenges. Mindy Brickman, McGlinchey Stafford, will explain how to cross-examine the sympathetic witness. In-house counsel Hannah S. Lim, The ADT Corporation, will discuss how to use the client’s employee as an expert. Renee Welze Livingston of the Livingston Law Firm will explain what to do when jurors research a party or witness on the Internet. Laurie K. Miller, Jackson Kelly, and Sarah K. Rathke, Squire Patton Boggs, will tackle jury deliberations, including how to convert pattern jury instructions to plain English and how to use verdict forms to the benefit of the defense. And, unlike traditional TED talks, the WITL seminar speakers will be on site for you to follow up with after the presentations.
Registration is now open for the Women in the Law seminar, “Partnering with Our Clients for Success,” February 26-27, 2015, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Advance registration runs now through January 29, 2015, and hotel room block pricing runs through January 27, 2015. The Seminar as a whole promises to offer both practical and networking sessions aimed at enhancing the practicing attorney's total being, but the trial skills learned during “Trouble at Trial” are alone worth the price of registration. Visit http://www.dri.org/Event/20150208 for more info.