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Author: Paul Luvera

Luvera practiced plaintiff law 55 years. He is past President of the Inner Circle of Advocates & Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Member ABOTA, American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy, International Society of Barristers and the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Book Luvera on Advocacy available at Trial Guides Publishing Email paul@luvera.org
Concentrate on your case and don’t dignify every defense

Concentrate on your case and don’t dignify every defense

David Ball has written excellent books about trial and his last book David Ball on Damages is particularly helpful. He has captured some basic truth’s about communication involving today’s jury panels. One of his principles is that a trial is what you spend time talking about. Juror’s assume that what you devote time to is important to the case. That means that while liability is obviously critical, the case should be about harm and damages. Dividing time between liability and…

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The spence trial college approach to cross examination

The spence trial college approach to cross examination

The Spence Trial College conducts regional seminars around the country. At this year’s regional seminar in Washington,the topic was cross examination. The college approach involves: (1) role reversal: Become the witness; identify what the witness is afraid of/devoted to/motivated by and why (2) What is the story that advances your case? Determine what story you want told by: witnesses, client, experts and the juror’s story as well as the universal story. My talk affirmed this approach and consisted of these…

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Gerry spence defends geoff fieger

Gerry spence defends geoff fieger

Wyoming lawyer Gerry Spence has been defending Detroit lawyer Geoff Fieger in Federal Court on charges of illegal political contributions. He’s charged with having his staff contribute to the campaign of John Edwards and then reimbursing them for the contribution – a crime under federal election laws. The government has to prove intent to violate the law and the defense is that Fieger, and his partner who is also charged in the case, did not believe they were violating any…

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