In his fourth book, The Elements of Trial, Rick Friedman and partner Bill Cummings bring you a concise guide for new and mid-career lawyers preparing for trial. You will learn the insights and practical skills you need to know as a trial lawyer. With trial experience increasingly rare, Rick believes that, “95 percent of plaintiffs’ lawyers will be substantially better in trial if they know the information in this book.”

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The book will give you insight regarding each aspect of your case:

• Investigating your case
• Interviewing and preparing witnesses
• Organizing trial notebooks, discovery information, trial briefs, and exhibits
• Creating a theme
• Choosing or drafting jury instructions
• Asking questions of the court clerk and judicial assistant
• Framing your case-in-chief Filing motions in limine
• Pretrial hearings
• Making objections and understanding juror perceptions about the use of objections in trial
• Bench conferences
• Moving exhibits into evidence
• Voir dire (including your purpose beyond cause and peremptory challenges)
• Opening statement (structure, themes, establishing credibility, and what you should never do)
• Direct examination
• Cross-examination (constructive and destructive)
• Making a record
• Directed verdict/motion for judgment as a matter of law
• Rebuttal case
• Charging conference
• Closing argument
• Taking the verdict and polling the jury
• Posttrial motions