Trials of the Century
Why Attend?
Enjoy entertaining top courtroom drama – this unforgettable course is not just for litigators.
Examine the specific techniques used in the top trials of the 20th century – and adapt for your own practice.
Receive the Ultimate Trial Notebook - with comprehensive checklists that get results.
What You Will Learn
There can be no better education and entertainment than to be seated in the front row of the Los Angeles County Court House on August 15,1912, as Clarence Darrow, America's greatest trial attorney, rises to give his most memorable closing argument. Now you have a front row seat. Listen, learn, and enjoy!
Using actual film footage, re-creations, photos, and verbatim trial transcripts, this unique program offers an unforgettable educational experience. See excerpts from the O.J. Simpson trial, hear Clarence Darrow cross-examine William Jennings Bryan in the Scopes “Monkey Trial,” view the cross-examination of Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials, and listen to Clarence Darrow’s closing argument in the Leopold and Loeb trial. Learn the ethics of dealing with difficult witnesses and counsel from the Lindbergh Kidnapping trial. Each example is followed by a practical discussion of the lessons from the masters you can apply to improve your own skills as an advocate.
Need CLE credit? This program is approved for CLE credit in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and other MCLE jurisdictions.
Faculty
Todd Winegar is a dynamic, highly rated speaker with nearly 30 years of litigation experience who has taught CLE programs across the country. Mr. Winegar’s practice emphasizes civil trial litigation, including a Minuteman missile accident case, professional malpractice, and product liability actions. He draws examples from these experiences to present a thought-provoking, yet practical, seminar.
Each registrant will receive the Trials of the Century workbook, which includes Mr. Winegar's Ultimate Trial Notebook. The Notebook is a binder of checklists and advice to use every time you appear in court or write a memorandum -- a valuable desk reference for the rest of your career!
Program Schedule
8:15 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Trials of the Century
Why are they famous and what can we learn from them?
O.J. Simpson Trial (1995): Cross-Examination Techniques
Observe the cross-examination of Mark Fuhrman by F. Lee Bailey
Generally accepted principles of cross-examination
Adjusting and breaking the principles of effective advocacy to fit the circumstances
Techniques that can make a cross-examination great
See the cross-examination of Ellen Aaronson by Marcia Clark
How winning the battle can lose the war
Watch the carefully structured cross-examination of criminalist Dennis Fung
Surprising the witness – Victory is in the documents
10:30 a.m.
Scopes “Monkey” Trial (1925): Cross-Examination Techniques
John T. Scopes’ trial for teaching evolution in public school
Listen to the cross-examination of William Jennings Bryan by Clarence Darrow
See the great guideline of cross followed
11:00 a.m.
Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial (1935): Ethics (1 hour in ethics)
The ethics of dealing with difficult witnesses and counsel
The ethics of Rambo litigation tactics
12:00 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)
Please note that the afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. to give participants adequate time to tour the National Constitution Center’s many exhibits.
1:30 p.m.
Lindbergh Kidnapping Trial (1935): Ethics (continued)
1:45 p.m.
The Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946): Cross-Examination of the Difficult Witness
See U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson cross-examine Reich Marshall Herman Goering
Methods of controlling the difficult witness
Appealing to the court when violations of control occur
2:40 p.m.
Leopold and Loeb Trial (1924): Closing Argument Techniques
Listen to Clarence Darrow’s arguments and learn to “turn an argument”
Take the same facts, but argue the opposite conclusion
Attribute the same motives to the opposing party
3:20 p.m.
The People v. Clarence Darrow (L. A. Times Bombing Trial) (1911): Closing Argument Techniques
Watch Clarence Darrow’s closing argument in his own bribery trial
Darrow’s favorite arguments used in virtually every case
Putting your client in the white hat
Framing the issues
Flattery will get you everywhere
3:50p.m.
The Clinton Impeachment: Great Closing Arguments
Favorite arguments with a 21st century twist – Great arguments have not changed over the years
4:25 p.m.
What Was the Trial of the Century?
Learning from the trials of the century
4:30 p.m.
Adjournment
Total 60-minute hours of instruction: 6.0, including 1.0 ethics; total 50-minute hours of instruction: 7.2, including 1.2 ethics
Here's what registrants have said about this course:
"Instructor was excellent and gave lots of wonderful and easy to implement techniques to improve my trial presentations."
“The best CLE I’ve ever attended."
"On a scale from 1-10, Mr. Winegar is an 11."
"Todd Winegar is on a par with Irving Younger."
