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List of Forms by Chapter
Chapter 1 — The Trial Advocate: Purpose, Talent, and Philosophy
II. [1.2] The Trial Lawyer’s Skills and Tools
Chapter 2 — The Jury: The “Right” to It and the Selection of It
Chapter 3 — Opening Statement
I. Introduction
VI. Legal and Practical Aspects
IX. Motions in Limine Prior to Opening Statement
XI. Plaintiff’s Jury Opening Statement
XII. Defendant’s Jury Opening Statement
XIII. [3.50] Example Opening Statements
Chapter 4 — Presenting Testimony
II. Preparation
III. Direct Examination
IV. Cross-Examination
V. Impeachment
VI. Redirect Examination and Recross-Examination
Chapter 5 — Preserving the Record During Trial
I. Introduction
II. Making the Record
III. Preserving the Record
Chapter 6 — Presenting the Plaintiff’s Case
I. [6.1] Introduction
II. [6.7] Discovery
III. [6.21] Jury Selection
IV. The Opening Statement
VI. Witnesses
VII. [6.44] Expert Witnesses
XI. Mandatory Arbitration Issues
Chapter 7 — Motions During and at Close of Plaintiff’s Case-in-Chief
II. Motion Practice in General — When, Where, and How To Present Motions
IV. Motions at Outset of Trial
V. Motions Regarding Evidence
VII. [7.16] Motions for Mistrial
Chapter 8 — Presenting the Defendant’s Case
Chapter 9 — Motions During and at the Close of the Defendant’s Case-in-Chief
I. Introduction
VII. [9.11] Motions To Exclude and Strike Evidence
IX. [9.18] Motions for Mistrial
Chapter 10 — Motions at the Close of the Evidence
II. Motion for a Continuance
IV. [10.5] Motions To Strike Evidence
VII. [10.10] Motion for Directed Verdict in Jury Cases
IX. [10.17] Appendix — Forms
Chapter 11 — Instructions, Special Interrogatories, and Verdicts
II. Jury Instructions
III. Special Interrogatories and General Verdicts
IV. Special Verdicts
Chapter 12 — Closing Argument
II. Fundamental Principles
III. The Argument Itself
IV. Strategy
V. Handling Weaknesses in Your Case
VI. Opposing Counsel
VII. Legal Rules Governing Specific Situations
VIII. Presentation and Demeanor
Chapter 13 — Return of the Verdict and Entry of Judgment
II. [13.2] Problems Arising During Jury Deliberations
III. Return of the Verdict
IV. [13.17] Polling the Jury
V. [13.21] Amendment or Correction of the Verdict
VI. [13.25] Entry of Judgment on the Verdict
Chapter 14 — Posttrial Motions
I. Introduction
II. Nature of Available Motions
III. Procedure
IV. [14.37] Contents of the Motion
V. Other Motions After TrialNo bio available.
Hugh B. Arnold is the Founder of Arnold and Kadjan, LLP, in Chicago, where he practices in the areas of labor law, ERISA litigation, and negligence litigation. He is a member of the American, Illinois State, and Chicago Bar Associations. Mr. Arnold received his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Robert L. Byman is Of Counsel with Jenner & Block LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in commercial litigation. Mr. Byman is Editor (2020 – present) and Past President (2013 – 2014) of the Journal of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He received his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
No bio available.
Robert Marc Chemers is a Senior Equity Partner at Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in insurance coverage and appellate and complex civil litigation. He is a member of the American and Illinois State Bar Associations and a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel. Mr. Chemers received his BA magna cum laude from the University of Southern California and his JD cum laude from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Elizabeth C. Curtin is a Partner at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago, where she concentrates her practice in litigation. Ms. Curtin received her B.S. from Duke University and her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Shelby L. Drury is Of Counsel to Novack and Macey LLP in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on commercial litigation. Ms. Drury received her B.S. with Bronze Tablet distinction (top three percent of class) from the University of Illinois and her J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law.
No bio available.
No bio available.
Stacie R. Hartman is a Partner and Cochair of the Financial Services Group at Steptoe & Johnson LLP in Chicago, where she concentrates her practice in financial services. She is recognized by Chambers Global, Chambers USA (Nationwide), and she was selected as a “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business (2020), and a “Trailblazers in Finance, Banking & Capital Markets” by the National Law Journal (2019). Ms. Hartman studied at St. Catherine’s College — Oxford University, received her B.A. from Northwestern University, and received her J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Richard J. Hoskins is a Partner at Schiff Hardin LLP in Chicago, where he focuses on litigation and intellectual property. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. Hoskins received his B.A. from the University of Kansas, his J.D. from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.
No bio available.
Mitchell L. Marinello is a Partner with Novack and Macey LLP, in Chicago, and has more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, arbitration, and trials. Marinello is a frequent author on issues relating to business law and arbitration. Marinello received his B.A. magna cum laude from Wesleyan University, was a fellow of the Thomas J. Watson Foundation (studying labor policy) in London, England, and received his J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Michael C. McCutcheon is a Partner at Baker McKenzie in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on international commercial litigation and arbitration. Mr. McCutcheon is a member of the Trial Bar for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. Mr. McCutcheon received his B.S. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Timothy J. Miller is a Partner at Novack and Macey LLP in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation and legal malpractice defense. He is a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers and the Chicago Bar Association. He is also a Martindale Hubbell Premiere Attorney. Mr. Miller received his B.A. summa cum laude from Alma College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and his J.D. with high honors, Order of the Coif, from Duke University School of Law, where he was Managing Editor of the Duke Law Journal.
Richard L. Miller II is a Partner at Miller PC in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, labor law, and class actions. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Northwestern School of Law, where he has served as an instructor for Trial Advocacy since 2005 and Advanced Trial Advocacy since 2013. He has been an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association arbitrator since 2008; FINRA since 2018; and the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program from 2003 to 2005. He has served on the IICLE® Board of Directors since 2023. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Leading Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Rising Star. In 2008, he was named one of the 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 To Watch by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. He is a past President of the Law Alumni Board for the University of Illinois College of Law. Mr. Miller attended the University of Illinois College of Law on a full merit scholarship and graduated cum laude in 1997. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Business in 1992.
Telly C. Nakos is a Founding Partner at O’Connor & Nakos Ltd., in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in personal injury. He is a two-time recipient of the American College of Trial Lawyers Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, and he has also received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Advocacy Award. He was also selected as one of Illinois’ 40 under Forty by Law Bulletin Media. Mr. Nakos received his undergraduate degree from Wabash College and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Kyle R. Olson is a Partner at Baker McKenzie in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and international arbitration. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Almost Home Kids, an Affiliate of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and he is a three-time Honoree of Baker McKenzie’s Robert L. Berner Jr. Pro Bono Public Service Award of Excellence. Mr. Olson is also a published author in many legal publications and newspapers, including Legal 500 and the Chicago Tribune. He received his B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Wake Forest University, his M.A. with merit from King’s College London, and his J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
No bio available.
Gregory J. Rastatter is a Partner at Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., in Peoria, and concentrates his practice on healthcare and business and commercial litigation. He is a member of the Wills and Powers of Attorney Clinics for United Way Partners (2009 – present) and a Peoria County Bar Association Law Day Speaker (2009 – present). He was chosen to the 40 Leaders Under Forty list (2013) by InterBusiness Issues and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the American Health Lawyers Association. Mr. Rastatter earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was a Lincoln Scholar, and his B.A. from Bradley University.
No bio available.
No bio available.
No bio available.
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