This registration form is for Thursday, December 5, 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET
This program is also available on:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET
This program was also presented on October 2, 2024.
| MCLE Credit: | 2.0 |
| Live-Interactive Credit: | 2.0 (all dates, all formats) |
| VIDC Re-Certification Credit: | 2.0 Misdemeanor/Felony (VIDC Information) |
| Designation Credit: | 2.0 Trial Practice/Litigation (Designations Information) |
At trial, opening statements and closing arguments are an attorney’s only opportunity to speak directly to the jurors. Some believe that trials are won or lost as early as the opening statement. Others think the opening statement sets up the closing, where the lawyer makes good on the promises made on opening.
This program will give you solid strategies for how to speak with juries and provide you with two analogies/templates each for crafting effective openings and closings. Learn how to put it all together to make a “Clopening” before a mediator.
Topics covered include:
Registration Deadlines:
Webcast: | 10 minutes prior to seminar. If you register for a webcast the day of the seminar, your e-mail receipt will include a link to launch the seminar and download the materials. |
Telephone: | Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. the day preceding the seminar |
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE®.
Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.
Inclement Weather Policy and Updates.
MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.
Can’t Attend?
E-mail distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program’s seminar materials are made available for sale.
1:00 | Crafting Winning Opening Statements and Closing Arguments |
3:00 | Adjourn |
Prof. Paul J. Zwier, Emory School of Law (retired) / Atlanta, GA
Paul J. Zwier II is Of Counsel to Guttman, Buschner & Brooks PLLC with offices in Atlanta and Washington, DC. Mr. Zwier is one of the nation’s most distinguished professors of advocacy and skills training. He joined the Emory Law School faculty in 2003, taking on several roles. As director of the Advocacy Training Program, director of Emory’s Program for International Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, and a professor of law, Professor Zwier joined the Emory University Law School faculty from the University of Tennessee Law School. He also teaches evidence, torts, products liability, and an advanced international negotiation seminar. He previously served as professor of law and director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution at the University of Tennessee. Prior to that he taught at the University of Richmond School of Law from 1981 to 1999.
Mr. Zwier has served as former director of Public Education for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and has taught and designed public and in-house skills programs in trial advocacy, appellate advocacy, advocacy in mediation, motion practice, negotiations, legal strategy, e-discovery, supervisory and leadership skills, and expert testimony at deposition and trial for more than 25 years. In 1998, Mr. Zwier received NITA’s Prentice Marshall Award.
His clients benefit from his expert advice on trial strategy, jury analysis, and negotiation and mediation strategy. He consults on a wide variety of disputes and topics including litigation involving bad faith insurance, products liability law, federal civil procedure, evidence law, the False Claims Act, securities fraud, patent litigation, MDLs, and other complex litigation matters. He is also an expert and consultant in the area of international dispute resolution. He has provided consulting services with The Carter Center (TCC), including its work in Israel/Palestine, in Syria, and in Liberia. In 2007 he was part of a TCC delegation working on the conflict in Gaza. In Liberia, his consultations included working with a delegation from Emory’s Institute for Developing Nations (IDN), providing TCC with an assessment of its GBV programming in Liberia, and working with magistrates, judges, and lawyers in building capacity following its civil war. This led to consultation and collaboration with the TCC in its collaboration with the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Mr. Zwier has trained judges and lawyers for the international criminal courts, including the ICC, ICTY, ICTR, and ICT-Sierra Leone. He has also lead training for Lawyers Without Borders and NITA, for the governments of Liberia, Tanzania, and in Kenya. He has also taught advocacy skills to international lawyers and judges in Yekaterinburg, Russia; Mexico City, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador; Monrovia, Liberia; Nairobi, Kenya; Tbilisi, Georgia; Northern Ireland; Scotland; England; and led seminars in negotiation and dispute resolution for black South African lawyers as part of a State Department program in 1999.
Mr. Zwier is the author of numerous books and articles. He received his JD from Pepperdine University in 1979, LLM from Temple University in 1981, and BA from Calvin College in 1976.
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