Litigation & Appeals

PA Specific

Live Online

Litigating Civil Cases in Pennsylvania From Start to Finish

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 7.2 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Live Online
6 hours
Jennifer DeFlitch
Jerry Knafo
Sarah Cobbs
Jake Oresick
With Jennifer L. DeFlitch from Margolis Edelstein + 3 others

Tue, Nov 10, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM

Product ID 102439

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Course Includes
$389

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OnDemand content will be available within 7 days of event date.

Overview

Apply the Rules and Maneuver Through the Litigation Process With Confidence

Don't miss this opportunity to develop practical skills in civil litigation! In this online seminar, veteran attorney faculty will provide you with real-world insights and concrete instruction. From initial filings to trial, uncover best practices that will help you work your way to a favorable case resolution. Learn how to be an effective advocate for your clients in civil proceedings - register today!

  • Hear top words of advice on motions, discovery, jury selection, and other select issues.
  • Discover how to spruce up your motion practice skills.
  • Get the evidence you need during discovery and learn how to get it admitted.
  • Learn how to prove the authenticity of social media posts, text messages, and more.
  • Ask the right questions in voir dire to effectively ferret out juror biases and attitudes.
  • Develop your case presentation skills for trial, from opening statements to closing arguments.
  • Examine key ethics traps and receive practical guidance for complying with the rules.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Top Civil Litigation Dos and Don'ts
  2. Motion Practice and Pleadings: Getting What You Want
  3. Discovery, Depositions, and Evidence Rules: Real-World Applications
  4. Voir Dire and Jury Selection
  5. Building Your Civil Trial Skills
  6. How to Authenticate Social Media, Email, and Text Evidence
  7. Legal Ethics: Avoiding Key Dangers

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Related Topics

Product ID 102439

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 7.2 Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Top Civil Litigation Dos and Don'ts

    1. Court Procedure
    2. Motions
    3. Discovery
    4. Voir Dire and Jury Selection
    5. Trial Practice and Presentation

  2. Motion Practice and Pleadings: Getting What You Want

    1. Applying the Rules of Civil Procedure
    2. Pleadings Standards and Sufficiency
    3. Motion to Dismiss
    4. Summary Judgment Motions
    5. Motions in Limine
    6. Tips for Effective Brief Writing

  3. Discovery, Depositions, and Evidence Rules: Real-World Applications

    1. Effective Use of Discovery Tools (Interrogatories; Requests for Production; Requests for Admissions; Subpoenas)
    2. Obtaining Evidence From Electronic Devices
    3. Taking Depositions
    4. Defending Depositions (and Properly Using Objections)
    5. Evaluating Admissibility
    6. Laying a Foundation to Get Your Evidence Introduced
    7. Witness Testimony and Reports
    8. Applying the Hearsay Rule and Exceptions
    9. Keeping Evidence Out

  4. Voir Dire and Jury Selection

    1. Preparing for Voir Dire
    2. Investigating Jurors
    3. Reading Personality Types and Non-Verbals
    4. Building Rapport
    5. Introducing Case Information
    6. Asking the Right Questions
    7. Eliciting Bias and Obtaining Cause Challenges
    8. Getting Quiet Jurors Talking
    9. Effective Use of Peremptory Challenges

  5. Building Your Civil Trial Skills

    1. Opening Statements: Telling a Persuasive Story
    2. Conducting Direct Examination
    3. Cross-Examining and Impeaching Witnesses
    4. Using Objections
    5. Arguing Damages at Trial
    6. Delivering Summations and Jury Instructions

  6. How to Authenticate Social Media, Email, and Text Evidence

    1. Proactively Ensuring Authenticity
    2. Proving Electronic Documents Have Not Been Modified
    3. Identifying Who Made the Post and Linking to the Purported Author
    4. Authenticating Through Witness Testimony
    5. Authenticating via Distinctive Characteristics and Circumstantial Evidence
    6. Self-Authentication Methods

  7. Legal Ethics: Avoiding Key Dangers

    1. Handling Prejudicial Evidence
    2. Social Media and Legal Ethics
    3. Communicating with Jurors
    4. Preparing vs. Coaching Witnesses
    5. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Who Should Attend

This basic-to-intermediate level online seminar is designed for attorneys. It may also benefit paralegals.

Speakers

Jennifer L DeFlitch
Jennifer L.
DeFlitch
Margolis Edelstein
Jerry R Knafo
Jerry R.
Knafo
Knafo Law Offices
Sarah E Cobbs
Sarah E.
Cobbs
Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP
Jake S Oresick
Jake S.
Oresick
Sherrard German & Kelly, P.C.
Speaker bio
Jennifer L DeFlitch

Jennifer L. DeFlitch

Margolis Edelstein
Jennifer DeFlitch

is an attorney in the Pittsburgh office of Margolis Edelstein. She is a seasoned litigation attorney with over 15 years of experience. Ms. DeFlitch began her legal career in the energy sector, specializing in oil and gas law, before transitioning to criminal defense. For over eight years, she served at the Westmoreland County Public Defender's Office, where she managed a diverse caseload, from minor summary offenses to serious homicides, guiding clients through all stages of the legal process, including preliminary hearings and appeals. Ms. DeFlitch's trial experience is extensive, encompassing numerous non-jury and jury trials with significant successes. She is renowned for her vigorous defense strategies, often achieving case dismissals through pre-trial motions. Ms. DeFlitch is a dedicated educator at Westmoreland County Community College, where she teaches courses in legal research, writing, and estates and trusts. She earned her B.A. degree from Bucknell University and her J.D. degree from Duquesne University School of Law.

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Speaker bio
Jerry R Knafo

Jerry R. Knafo

Knafo Law Offices
Jerry Knafo

is a personal injury attorney from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He attended Villanova University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration graduating 3rd in his major with magna cum laude honors. Mr. Knafo then attended law school at Temple University where he received the Barrister's Award for Trial Advocacy. He also holds two master's degrees; one in business administration (MBA) and one in psychology (MPsych). Mr. Knafo has received certification from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Business Analytics and certification from Harvard University Business School in Negotiation Mastery. He founded and serves as president and gold member of the Elite Lawyers of America organization with acceptance limited to lawyers who have obtained a verdict or settlement of at least two million dollars. Mr. Knafo is a certified civil trial advocate and civil pre-trial advocate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He served on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (now known as Pennsylvania Attorneys for Justice) from 1987 to 2002. Mr. Knafo is former chairman of Hearing Committee 2.06 of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® for 21 consecutive years. Mr. Knafo has received the highest possible "AV preeminent rating" from Martindale-Hubbell® and has a "superb" 10.0 rating by AVVO®.

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Speaker bio
Sarah E Cobbs

Sarah E. Cobbs

Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP
Sarah Cobbs

is a partner at Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP, where she is also a member of the firm's general liability practice group. She represents employers and municipalities in all aspects of labor relations, employment law, and Section 1983 civil rights cases. Ms. Cobbs defends police officers, public officials, corrections officers and administrators, teachers and school district administrators, children and youth case workers, as well as their respective municipal entities, in state and federal court in Pennsylvania. She acts as labor counsel for local municipalities, advising them on personnel and human resources issues. Additionally, Ms. Cobbs provides sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination training for County employees. She also has significant experience in general liability claims including auto, truck, premises liability and construction injury claims, professional liability, toxic tort and insurance coverage claims. In the last five years, Ms. Cobbs has successfully defended ten jury trials throughout Pennsylvania. She earned her B.S. degree from University of Pittsburgh and her J.D. degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

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Speaker bio
Jake S Oresick

Jake S. Oresick

Sherrard German & Kelly, P.C.
Jake Oresick

is an attorney with Sherrard German & Kelly, P.C. He is a litigator, focusing his practice in the areas of insurance coverage and bad faith, environmental law, intellectual property, and construction. Mr. Oresick also has experience representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in a wide array of litigation matters, including cases involving breach of commercial contracts, restrictive covenants and trade secrets, products liability, construction defects, real estate transactions, landlord-tenant disputes, and unemployment compensation. He earned his B.A. degree from John Carrol University, his M.S. degree from Carnegie Mellon University and his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Oresick is a member of the Defense Research Institute, Pennsylvania Defense Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Association and Allegheny County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in West Virginia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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