Voir Dire and Witness Preparation Workshop

About the workshop:

In this two-day workshop, attorneys will learn the complete Strike For Cause system of witness preparation and jury selection. On Day 1 of the seminar, attorneys will learn crucial witness preparation tools that go beyond coaching to actually shift witnesses' internal emotional states. Day 1 will also cover how to use the Strike For Cause method of jury selection to stack the jury in your client's favor. From drafting effective questions, to handling rehabilitation and arguing your strikes at the bench, this course is a comprehensive guide to jury selection and witness preparation.

After learning the theory, participants will have the rare opportunity to practice jury selection techniques with a live panel of mock jurors. There is no better way to learn the method than by practicing it live, with real-time feedback and coaching from Robert Swafford. By the end of the seminar, you will understand how to turn the worst issues in your case to your advantage with great voir dire and witness preparation.

Day 1 - Morning
Witness Preparation Theory and Practice

• The Formula for a Winning Witness
• Context-Shifting Tools to Change Internal Emotional States
• Key Concepts for Witness Transformation and Short-Term Miracles
• Improving Witness Likability, Believability, Credibility and Clarity
• The Science of Fight, Flight and Freeze in Testimony
• High-Impact Structure of Direct Testimony
• Effective Listening
• The Three Rules of Testifying
• How to Use Cognitive Dissonance to Your Favor

Day 1 - Afternoon
Voir Dire Theory

• Voir Dire Goals and Pitfalls
• Identifying Voir Dire Issues—Including by Use of Focus Groups
• Social Media, Online Search Tools, and Questionnaire Methods Research
• Dealing with “Scary” Issues in Voir Dire
• The Hard Work of Planning for Voir Dire
• Making Your Record During Voir Dire
• Voir Dire with Hot Button Issues (Race, Sex, and Policing)
• Running the Gauntlet: Voir Dire Training Techniques
• Calling Balls and Strikes—What Really Makes a Strike for Cause
• Peremptory Strikes and Arguing at the Bench
• Effective Note-Taking for Voir Dire

Day 2 - All Day
Voir Dire Practice

Workshop your case with colleagues and live mock jury panels, lead by Robert Swafford.