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Judicial Forum

LA Specific

Local Civil Court Judges Share Mistakes to Avoid in Their Courtrooms

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 6 Total
7 hours 30 minutes
David Bowling
Kern Reese
Jennifer Medley
With David A. Bowling from The Bowling Law Firm, APLC + 2 others
Recorded December 05, 2025
Product ID 100857

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Overview

What Judges Really Wish Lawyers Knew Featuring Distinguished Judges from Orleans Parish.

Gain a deeper understanding of judicial expectations and practical tips to enhance your litigation skills, all delivered with a dose of humor and real-world wisdom from the bench. This engaging CLE course will benefit all attorneys who practice civil litigation, from newly admitted lawyers to seasoned veterans. Register today!

  • Identify attorney legal blunders that make judges reach for the gavel.
  • Write better briefs: learn how to educate judges without insulting their intelligence.
  • Learn when requesting a sidebar makes sense.
  • Skip the courtroom theatrics: spot the Jedi mind tricks that do not work in court.
  • Hear what tactics judges don't want to see in their courtroom.
  • Avoid becoming the opposing lawyer's "war story" with guidance from the local judges.

Abbreviated Agenda

Local Civil Court Judges Share Mistakes to Avoid in Their Courtrooms

AM Break: 10:30 - 10:45
PM Break: 2:30 - 2:45
Panelists: Hon. Jennifer M. Medley and Hon. Kern A. Reese
Moderator: David A. Bowling

  1. Drafting the Complaint and Answer: What Not to Include
    1. Vagueness, Ambiguity, and Irrelevant Info
    2. Inflammatory Language and Accusations
    3. Failing to Comply With Local Pleading Standards
  2. Scheduling Conferences: Best Practices
  3. Discovery and Spoliation Disasters
    1. Fishing Expeditions: Overly Broad or Burdensome Discovery Requests
    2. Missing Deadlines and Failing to Comply With Court Orders
    3. Abusive or Harassing Tactics During Depositions
  4. Motions: A Matter of Merit - Not Manipulation
    1. The Motion Avalanche, Borderline Frivolous Requests
    2. The "Let's See What Sticks" Approach
    3. Providing Background Without Insulting the Judge's Intelligence

    LUNCH: 12:00 - 1:00

  5. Lawyers Acting Like Teenagers: Conflicts Judges Shouldn't Have to Moderate
  6. Trial Preparation Missteps
    1. Motions in Limine
    2. Witness Selection and Preparation Blunders
    3. The Electronic Exhibit Odyssey: Endless Exhibits
  7. Voir Dire and Jury Selection Mistakes
  8. Trial Conduct Catastrophes: Don't Become a Meme!
    1. Know the Local Rules and Standing Orders Before You Enter the Courthouse!
    2. Excessive Courtroom Theatrics
    3. Introducing Evidence
    4. Baseless Objections and the Sidebar Sideshow
  9. The Use of Experts: The Good, the Bad, and the Unacceptable
  10. Judges' Views on Artificial Intelligence in Trial Practice
  11. Top Legal Ethics Pitfalls of Trial Practice - 3:30 - 4:30
    1. The Role of Judges and Attorneys in the Justice System
    2. Trial Decorum and Attorney Professionalism
    3. Guarding Confidentiality
    4. Privilege Issues
    5. Fair Attorney Fees and Engagement Agreements
    6. Sanctionable Actions

Related Topics

Product ID 100857

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Local Civil Court Judges Share Mistakes to Avoid in Their Courtrooms

    AM Break: 10:30 - 10:45
    PM Break: 2:30 - 2:45
    Panelists: Hon. Jennifer M. Medley and Hon. Kern A. Reese
    Moderator: David A. Bowling

    1. Drafting the Complaint and Answer: What Not to Include
      1. Vagueness, Ambiguity, and Irrelevant Info
      2. Inflammatory Language and Accusations
      3. Failing to Comply With Local Pleading Standards
    2. Scheduling Conferences: Best Practices
    3. Discovery and Spoliation Disasters
      1. Fishing Expeditions: Overly Broad or Burdensome Discovery Requests
      2. Missing Deadlines and Failing to Comply With Court Orders
      3. Abusive or Harassing Tactics During Depositions
    4. Motions: A Matter of Merit - Not Manipulation
      1. The Motion Avalanche, Borderline Frivolous Requests
      2. The "Let's See What Sticks" Approach
      3. Providing Background Without Insulting the Judge's Intelligence

      LUNCH: 12:00 - 1:00

    5. Lawyers Acting Like Teenagers: Conflicts Judges Shouldn't Have to Moderate
    6. Trial Preparation Missteps
      1. Motions in Limine
      2. Witness Selection and Preparation Blunders
      3. The Electronic Exhibit Odyssey: Endless Exhibits
    7. Voir Dire and Jury Selection Mistakes
    8. Trial Conduct Catastrophes: Don't Become a Meme!
      1. Know the Local Rules and Standing Orders Before You Enter the Courthouse!
      2. Excessive Courtroom Theatrics
      3. Introducing Evidence
      4. Baseless Objections and the Sidebar Sideshow
    9. The Use of Experts: The Good, the Bad, and the Unacceptable
    10. Judges' Views on Artificial Intelligence in Trial Practice
    11. Top Legal Ethics Pitfalls of Trial Practice - 3:30 - 4:30
      1. The Role of Judges and Attorneys in the Justice System
      2. Trial Decorum and Attorney Professionalism
      3. Guarding Confidentiality
      4. Privilege Issues
      5. Fair Attorney Fees and Engagement Agreements
      6. Sanctionable Actions

Who Should Attend

This intermediate level in-person seminar is designed for attorneys. Paralegals and litigation support professionals will also benefit.

Speakers

David A Bowling
David A.
Bowling
The Bowling Law Firm, APLC
Hon. Kern A Reese
Hon. Kern A.
Reese
Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division L
Hon. Jennifer M Medley
Hon. Jennifer M.
Medley
Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division F
Speaker bio
David A Bowling

David A. Bowling

The Bowling Law Firm, APLC
David Bowling

is the managing partner of The Bowling Law Firm, APLC, in New Orleans, Louisiana. After spending most of his career focusing on the defense of malpractice and other complex medical cases, Mr. Bowling has now transitioned to a plaintiffs' practice. He and his firm concentrate on the representation of individuals and families in medical malpractice, catastrophic injury (including brain and spinal cord injury), and other serious personal injury litigation. Mr. Bowling has been selected as an associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. He practices throughout Louisiana, as well as Mississippi, where he is also licensed to practice. Mr. Bowling is often called upon by other attorneys to handle cases involving complex medical issues and frequently represents attorneys and their families. He has been selected to the list of Louisiana's Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Bowling earned his B.A. degree at Millsaps College and his J.D. degree at Tulane University of Louisiana.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Kern A Reese

Hon. Kern A. Reese

Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division L
Kern Reese

is a Judge in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Jennifer M Medley

Hon. Jennifer M. Medley

Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division F
Jennifer Medley

is a Judge in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

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