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What Judges Wish You Knew: Motion, Hearing, and Trial Insights From the Bench

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 6 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 6 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 6 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 6 Total
California CLE Approved 6 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 7 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 6 Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 6 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 6 Total
Iowa CLE Approved 6 Total
Idaho CLE Pending 6 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 6 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 7 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 6 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Maine CLE Approved 6 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 6 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 7.2 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 6 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Pending 6 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 6 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 6 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 6 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 7.2 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 6 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 6 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 6 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 7 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 6 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 7 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 6 Total
Texas CLE Approved 6 Total
Utah CLE Approved 6 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 6 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 6 Total
Washington CLE Approved 6 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 7 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 7.2 Total
Wyoming CLE Approved 6 Total
Live Online
6 hours
Wesley Tailor
James Susag
Christopher Bragg
Jennifer Medley
Carol Overton
Maria Barlow
With Hon. Wesley B. Tailor from Fulton County State Court + 5 others

Tue, Sep 29, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM

Product ID 102295

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Overview

Advocacy Habits Judges Notice Immediately (and Don't Forget) Featuring 5 Judges From Across the Nation

What makes a judge trust your argument or tune you out? Small decisions can have an outsized impact on how judges view your case, yet most attorneys rarely get direct perspective from the bench. Join our judge faculty as they pull back the curtain on judicial decision-making, courtroom expectations, and common pet peeves. You'll gain candid, practical insights into what works, what doesn't, and the common advocacy mistakes judges see every day in written motions and in the courtroom. Register today!

  • Discover the advocacy habits judges notice immediately - good and bad.
  • Understand what actually matters to judges and what doesn't.
  • Avoid the mistakes that quietly weaken your case.
  • Present motions, arguments, and evidence in ways judges can quickly evaluate and rule on.
  • Know what judges expect before you bring a discovery dispute to court.
  • Adapt to evolving issues, including AI and modern courtroom expectations.

Abbreviated Agenda

What Judges Wish You Knew: Motion, Hearing, and Trial Insights From the Bench

AM Break: 11:30 – 11:45
PM Break: 3:15 – 3:30

Lunch: 1:00 – 1:30

Panelists: Hon. Maria M. Barlow, Hon. Christopher W. Bragg, Hon. Jennifer M. Medley, Hon. Carol W. Overton and Hon. Wesley B. Tailor
Moderator: James M. Susag

 

  1. Writing Motions and Briefs Judges Want to Read and Rule On
    1. What Judges Skim, What They Focus On, and What They Lose Patience With
    2. Organization and Structure: What Works Best
    3. What Makes a Motion Easy or Difficult to Decide
    4. Common Briefing Mistakes That Undermine Otherwise Strong Arguments
    5. What Wastes the Court's Time and Hurts Your Case
    6. Overuse (or Misuse) of Case Law: What Judges See
  2. Discovery Fights: What Judges Expect and What Gets You in Trouble
    1. Common Attorney Behavior That Frustrates Judges
    2. Meet-and-Confer Expectations: What Judges Want to See Before You File
    3. What Makes a Discovery Dispute “Worth” the Court's Time
    4. When Judges Consider Sanctions and Why
  3. Oral Arguments and Hearings: What Impresses and What Frustrates Judges
    1. What Judges Notice in the First 30 Seconds of Your Argument
    2. The Advocacy Habits That Help (or Hurt) You Instantly
    3. Answer the Question: What Judges Expect (and What Drives Them Crazy)
    4. The Mistakes That Undermine Even Strong Arguments
    5. When the Judge Gets it Wrong: How to Respond Effectively
    6. What Sticks With Judges After the Hearing and What Doesn't
  4. AI: What Judges Are Seeing and What Concerns Them
    1. Should Attorneys Disclose AI Use in Filings?
    2. Can Judges Tell AI Was Used?
    3. AI Patterns That Judges Are Already Seeing in Filings
    4. How Some Judges Are Using AI
    5. AI-Generated Exhibits, Demonstratives, and Evidentiary Risks: Let's Talk
  5. Trial and Evidence: What Attorneys Are Doing Wrong (and Right)
    1. Common Trial Mistakes Judges See Repeatedly
    2. Jury Selection and Voir Dire: Know the Boundaries
    3. Effective vs. Ineffective Witness Handling
    4. Organization and Presentation of Evidence
    5. Objections: When They Help - and When They Hurt
    6. Sidebars: When They're Warranted and What Judges Expect
    7. Making a Record: What Attorneys Often Miss
    8. What Distinguishes Strong Trial Advocates From the Rest
  6. Attorney Professionalism: Things That Matter More Than You Think - 4:00-5:00
    1. Candor and Trust: The Line Between Advocacy and Misrepresentation
    2. Credibility and First Impressions
    3. Civility Between Opposing Counsel
    4. Professionalism in Written Advocacy
    5. Professionalism in the Courtroom
    6. Reputation and Repeat Players

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Related Topics

Product ID 102295

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 6 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 6 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 6 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 6 Total
California CLE Approved 6 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 7 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 6 Total
Florida CLE Approved 7 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 6 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 6 Total
Iowa CLE Approved 6 Total
Idaho CLE Pending 6 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 6 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 7 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 6 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 6 Total
Maine CLE Approved 6 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 6 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 7.2 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 6 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Pending 6 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 6 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 6 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 6 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 7.2 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 6 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 6 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 6 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 7 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 6 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 7 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 6 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 6 Total
Texas CLE Approved 6 Total
Utah CLE Approved 6 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 6 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 6 Total
Washington CLE Approved 6 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 7 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 7.2 Total
Wyoming CLE Approved 6 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. What Judges Wish You Knew: Motion, Hearing, and Trial Insights From the Bench

    AM Break: 11:30 – 11:45
    PM Break: 3:15 – 3:30

    Lunch: 1:00 – 1:30

    Panelists: Hon. Maria M. Barlow, Hon. Christopher W. Bragg, Hon. Jennifer M. Medley, Hon. Carol W. Overton and Hon. Wesley B. Tailor
    Moderator: James M. Susag

     

    1. Writing Motions and Briefs Judges Want to Read and Rule On
      1. What Judges Skim, What They Focus On, and What They Lose Patience With
      2. Organization and Structure: What Works Best
      3. What Makes a Motion Easy or Difficult to Decide
      4. Common Briefing Mistakes That Undermine Otherwise Strong Arguments
      5. What Wastes the Court's Time and Hurts Your Case
      6. Overuse (or Misuse) of Case Law: What Judges See
    2. Discovery Fights: What Judges Expect and What Gets You in Trouble
      1. Common Attorney Behavior That Frustrates Judges
      2. Meet-and-Confer Expectations: What Judges Want to See Before You File
      3. What Makes a Discovery Dispute “Worth” the Court's Time
      4. When Judges Consider Sanctions and Why
    3. Oral Arguments and Hearings: What Impresses and What Frustrates Judges
      1. What Judges Notice in the First 30 Seconds of Your Argument
      2. The Advocacy Habits That Help (or Hurt) You Instantly
      3. Answer the Question: What Judges Expect (and What Drives Them Crazy)
      4. The Mistakes That Undermine Even Strong Arguments
      5. When the Judge Gets it Wrong: How to Respond Effectively
      6. What Sticks With Judges After the Hearing and What Doesn't
    4. AI: What Judges Are Seeing and What Concerns Them
      1. Should Attorneys Disclose AI Use in Filings?
      2. Can Judges Tell AI Was Used?
      3. AI Patterns That Judges Are Already Seeing in Filings
      4. How Some Judges Are Using AI
      5. AI-Generated Exhibits, Demonstratives, and Evidentiary Risks: Let's Talk
    5. Trial and Evidence: What Attorneys Are Doing Wrong (and Right)
      1. Common Trial Mistakes Judges See Repeatedly
      2. Jury Selection and Voir Dire: Know the Boundaries
      3. Effective vs. Ineffective Witness Handling
      4. Organization and Presentation of Evidence
      5. Objections: When They Help - and When They Hurt
      6. Sidebars: When They're Warranted and What Judges Expect
      7. Making a Record: What Attorneys Often Miss
      8. What Distinguishes Strong Trial Advocates From the Rest
    6. Attorney Professionalism: Things That Matter More Than You Think - 4:00-5:00
      1. Candor and Trust: The Line Between Advocacy and Misrepresentation
      2. Credibility and First Impressions
      3. Civility Between Opposing Counsel
      4. Professionalism in Written Advocacy
      5. Professionalism in the Courtroom
      6. Reputation and Repeat Players

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for attorneys who want practical insight from judges on motions, hearings, and trial advocacy.

Speakers

Hon. Wesley B Tailor
Hon. Wesley B.
Tailor
Fulton County State Court
James M Susag
James M.
Susag
Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd.
Hon. Christopher W Bragg
Hon. Christopher W.
Bragg
North Carolina Superior Court
Hon. Jennifer M Medley
Hon. Jennifer M.
Medley
Orleans Parish Civil District Court
Hon. Carol W Overton
Hon. Carol W.
Overton
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Hon. Maria M Barlow
Hon. Maria M.
Barlow
Circuit Court of Cook County
Speaker bio
Hon. Wesley B Tailor

Hon. Wesley B. Tailor

Fulton County State Court
Wesley Tailor

is a Fulton County State Court Judge.

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Speaker bio
James M Susag

James M. Susag

Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd.
James Susag

is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on franchise and dealer disputes, real estate, and complex commercial matters. He has been the lead attorney in over 100 trials and arbitrations in state and federal courts across the country, and in domestic and international arbitration forums. Mr. Susag has the unique perspective of a trial lawyer who has also managed complex litigation and developed strategic legal plans as in-house counsel. Clients appreciate his boardroom-to-courtroom experience in crafting resolutions for their business disputes. Mr. Susag is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Minnesota, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh, Fourth and Eighth circuits. He earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas and his J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Christopher W Bragg

Hon. Christopher W. Bragg

North Carolina Superior Court
Christopher Bragg

is a retired Senior Resident Superior Court Judge in District 20B.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Jennifer M Medley

Hon. Jennifer M. Medley

Orleans Parish Civil District Court
Jennifer Medley

is a Judge in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

View full profile
Speaker bio
Hon. Carol W Overton

Hon. Carol W. Overton

Santa Clara County Superior Court
Carol Overton

has served as a Superior Court Judge in Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2005.

View full profile
Speaker bio
Hon. Maria M Barlow

Hon. Maria M. Barlow

Circuit Court of Cook County
Maria Barlow

is a circuit judge at Circuit Court of Cook County.

View full profile
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