FL Specific

Litigation & Appeals

4.55

How to Lay a Foundation to Get Your Evidence Introduced in Florida

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 47 minutes
Scott Zappolo
Robert Eckard
Alexandria Suarez
With Scott W. Zappolo from Zappolo Law, P.A. + 2 others
Recorded May 28, 2025
Product ID 100072

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Overview

Social Media, Texts, Business Records, Expert Witness Testimony, and More

You can't get your evidence admitted without establishing the proper evidentiary foundations. In this practical online seminar, faculty will teach you how to lay a foundation for different types of evidence and avoid being tripped up by objections opposing counsel will throw your way. Navigate the rules of evidence with confidence - register today!

  • Pick up preparation pointers that will help you avoid troubles at trial.
  • Learn how to authenticate social media posts, texts, emails, and other electronic evidence.
  • Find out how to establish a proper foundation for medical records, business records, and more.
  • See how to get your expert's testimony in - and keep theirs out.
  • Hear how to best introduce physical evidence at trial.
  • Convince the court that you've satisfied the fairness requirement for demonstrative evidence.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Essentials of Laying a Foundation
  2. Establishing Foundations for Business Records and Other Documentary Evidence
  3. Laying a Foundation for Expert Witness Testimony
  4. Demonstrative and Illustrative Evidence: Satisfying the Foundation Requirements
  5. Introducing Physical Evidence at Trial
  6. How to Authenticate Social Media Posts, Texts, Emails, and More
  7. Applying Ethics Rules to Evidence

Related Topics

Product ID 100072

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Essentials of Laying a Foundation

    1. Procedures for Introducing Exhibits at Trial
    2. Authenticity, Reliability, and Relevance
    3. Foundation Requirements for Real, Illustrative, Demonstrative, and Documentary Evidence
    4. How to Handle Evidentiary Objections
    5. Preparing Evidence and Planning for Admissibility Issues Before Trial
    6. Issuing Trial Subpoenas to Witnesses

  2. Establishing Foundations for Business Records and Other Documentary Evidence

    1. Business Records
    2. Photographs
    3. Models, Maps, Diagrams
    4. Video Recordings
    5. Letters, Writings, and Contracts
    6. Medical Records, X-Rays, and Bills
    7. Establishing Foundations for Other Documentary Evidence
    8. Satisfying the Best Evidence Rule

  3. Laying a Foundation for Expert Witness Testimony

    1. Establishing Competency and Qualifications
    2. Verifying an Expert's Methodologies
    3. Motions in Limine: Bringing or Defending Against
    4. At the Hearing
    5. Case Law Review

  4. Demonstrative and Illustrative Evidence: Satisfying the Foundation Requirements

    1. Establishing Relevancy
    2. Battleground for Demonstrative Evidence: Satisfying the Fairness Requirement
    3. PowerPoints
    4. Computer Simulations and Recreations
    5. Handling Numerical Data, Charts, and Graphs
    6. Models, Maps, Diagrams
    7. Photographs and Videos
    8. Case Law Review

  5. Introducing Physical Evidence at Trial

  6. How to Authenticate Social Media Posts, Texts, Emails, and More

    1. How to Collect to Ensure Admission Later On
    2. Authenticating Emails
    3. How to Lay a Foundation for Facebook, YouTube Videos, Other Internet Records
    4. Digital Photographs
    5. Authenticating Texts and Other Smartphone Evidence
    6. Real-World Demonstrations
    7. How to Overcome Hearsay Objections
    8. Rule and Case Law Updates

  7. Applying Ethics Rules to Evidence

    1. Ethics of ESI
    2. Handling Prejudicial Evidence
    3. Candor With the Court
    4. "Coaching" Witnesses

Who Should Attend

This basic level online seminar is designed for attorneys. Paralegals may also benefit.

Speakers

Scott W Zappolo
Scott W.
Zappolo
Zappolo Law, P.A.
Robert D Eckard
Robert D.
Eckard
Robert Eckard & Associates, P.A.
Alexandria Suarez
Alexandria
Suarez
Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP
Speaker bio
Scott W Zappolo

Scott W. Zappolo

Zappolo Law, P.A.
Scott Zappolo

is a shareholder with Zappolo & Farwell, P.A. in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he focuses his practice in the areas of commercial, civil and complex business litigation. Although he is based in South Florida, his practice requires travel throughout the country and appearances before various tribunals. Mr. Zappolo's corporate clients range from mom-and-pop businesses to much larger corporations, all of whom are treated with a distinctive hands-on approach, whether the forum is state, federal or international court. He is a regular speaker at legal education events, focusing on trial advocacy. Mr. Zappolo is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and an Emeritus Member of the Craig S. Bernard Inn of Court, LIV (Master of the Bench and former Pupilage Leader). He earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University; his M.S. degree, with honors, from Florida State University; and his J.D. degree, with honors, from St. Thomas University School of Law.

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Speaker bio
Robert D Eckard

Robert D. Eckard

Robert Eckard & Associates, P.A.
Robert Eckard

is managing partner of Robert Eckard & Associates, P.A., practicing in the areas of civil litigation, criminal defense, commercial transportation, business litigation and business transactions. He is board-certified in business litigation by The Florida Bar, and is on The Florida Bar's Grievance Committee. Mr. Eckard is a regular instructor at Stetson University College of Law. He is a member of the Clearwater, Hillsborough and American bar associations, and is a master barrister for the Barney Masterson Inns of Court. Mr. Eckard earned his B.S. and M.A. degrees from University of South Florida (Tampa), his J.D. degree from Stetson University College of Law, and his LL.M. degree in international law and business from Stetson University College of Law.

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Speaker bio
Alexandria Suarez

Alexandria Suarez

Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP
Alexandria Suarez

is an attorney at Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP. She is experienced in all aspects of the litigation process, including discovery, depositions, settlement negotiations, mediation, motions for summary judgment, and trial. Prior experience includes serving as the felony assistant state attorney and senior management in the 16th Judicial Circuit. As a prosecutor, Ms. Suarez was successful in trying felony cases and mentoring misdemeanor attorneys. In the private sector, she was successful in obtaining both dismissals and judgments in favor of her clients. Ms. Suarez's training as a Florida circuit court mediator has assisted her clients in successfully negotiating and settling cases when appropriate. She earned her B.A. degree from Florida International University and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Thomas University School of Law.

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