One of America's leading litigators, and Trial Guides' bestselling author, Rick Friedman brings you the first practical text on the fundamental skills you need to know when handling a trial. With trial experience increasingly rare, The Elements of Trial provides a concise guide for law professors, law students, and every lawyer preparing for trial.

This book offers invaluable advice on the following aspects of trial:

Investigating your case
Interviewing and preparing witnesses
Organizing trial notebooks, discovery information, trial briefs, and exhibits
Creating a theme
Choosing or drafting jury instructions
Asking questions of the court clerk and judicial assistant
Framing your case-in-chief
Filing motions in limine
Pretrial hearings
Making objections and understanding juror perceptions about the use of objections in trial
Bench conferences
Moving exhibits into evidence
Voir dire (including your purpose beyond cause and peremptory challenges)
Opening statement (structure, themes, establishing credibility, and what you should never do)
Direct examination
Cross-examination (constructive and destructive)
Making a record
Directed verdict/motion for judgment as a matter of law
Rebuttal case
Charging conference
Closing argument
Taking the verdict and polling the jury
Posttrial motions
Your impact on the trial

The book also explains the applicable law related to each part of trial and offers ways to effectively implement the techniques and methods that Friedman and Cummings present.

*This book is available for $45 for New Lawyers and Law Students who have been accepted into our New Lawyers Program. Please call our office at 800-309-6845 to receive this exclusive discount.

Rick Friedman Speaks to law students on "Why You should Become a Trial Lawyer"

Final Arguments