The Art of Legal Precision – A Masterclass in Trial Advocacy with Top US Litigators from the American College of Trial Lawyers / 20-24 May 2024
The Art of Legal Precision – A Masterclass in Trial Advocacy with Top US Litigators from the American College of Trial Lawyers
the Faculty of Law of Titu Maiorescu University
20-24 May 2024
JURIDICE.ro invites you to participate in an exceptional training event taking place in Bucharest, at the Faculty of Law of Titu Maiorescu University, from May 20th to 24th, 2024. This training is specifically designed for criminal lawyers and will focus on the art of examining witnesses in criminal trials, starting with cross-examination methods from the USA. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to ask sharp and effective questions to witnesses during criminal trials, as well as how to formulate convincing conclusions in front of judges.
The trainers are: Nancy Hollander, Partner, Freedman Boyd Hollander & Goldberg, P.A., Member – European Criminal Bar Association, Mona Duckett, Senior Partner DDSG Criminal Law, Cathy Fleming, Principal Attorney Offit Kurman, P.A., Brent Gurney, Partner WilmerHale, Scott Richardson, The Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A., Rachel McGuckian, Associate Judge, Montgomery County Circuit Court, 6th Judicial Circuit.
These experts will offer precise and personalized advice to each participant in an interactive setting.
With a strong emphasis on adapting techniques to the specifics of the Romanian legal system, this course promises to provide a unique perspective and an innovative approach to legal practice. Spaces are limited, so that each participant can benefit from the trainers’ attention and expertise in a confined and interactive environment.
Do not miss this exceptional opportunity to develop professionally, learn from the best, and interact with some of the most important figures in the American legal system. This event promises to be a benchmark in legal training in Romania and an unmatched opportunity for all those passionate about criminal law. Register now and secure your place at the forefront of legal evolution!
Register now, places are limited!
Registration: [email protected]
Mihai Udroiu, Judge at the High Court of Cassation and Justice, about the event: ”In the heart of our ever-evolving legal landscape, where the mastery of words shapes the very fabric of justice, there lies an unparalleled opportunity that beckons to us. It is with a profound sense of duty and a fervent passion for the art of law that I share with you an event that promises to be a cornerstone in our journey towards legal excellence. „The Art of Legal Precision – A Masterclass in Cross-Examination with Nancy Hollander and Top US Litigators” is set to unfold from May 20th to May 24th, 2024, and it is an occasion not to be missed.”
Florentin Țuca, Managing Partner ȚUCA ZBÂRCEA & ASSOCIATES, about the event: ”Cross-examination represents one of the most powerful tools for deconstructing an indictment or testimony directed against the defendant. I am convinced that this technique can be successfully adapted to the Romanian legal system and that – very often – it could replace a brilliant plea. This is because, after a set of well-addressed questions, the cross-examining lawyer could convey to the judge with just one message in their gaze: quod erat demonstrandum.”
Ovidiu Budușan, Founder BUDUȘAN & ASSOCIATES, about the event: ”As a practicing lawyer who has only gained from involvement in international proceedings and contact with other legal systems, I appreciate JURIDICE.ro initiative which brings Romanian lawyers the experience and perspectives of one of the most respected legal systems in the world, the American one, and the opportunity for direct interaction with internationally recognized legal professionals.”
Cosmin Vasile, Managing Partner ZAMFIRESCU RACOȚI VASILE & PARTNERS, about the event: ”Cross-examination has its origins in Anglo-Saxon law and plays a central role in the administration of evidence, whether in civil or criminal litigation. In international arbitration proceedings, cross-examination has earned its place, with most of the time allocated to the parties in evidentiary hearings being dedicated to cross-examination of witnesses and experts. Against this background, I have learned what an exceptional English barrister explained to me many years ago: cross-examination is not just a procedure, but a science and an art, which allows you to understand the case, approach the witness or expert and, ultimately, plead your client’s case. This is why mastering this procedure is also important for Romanian lawyers practicing in a continental law system.”
Augustin Zăbrăuțanu, Managing Partner ZĂBRĂUȚANU POPESCU & ASSOCIATES, about the event: ”For over 20 years, I am working with an American lawyer who teaches cross-examination in universities. My associate, Robert Popescu, an American attorney and professor, naturally sees the utility of cross-examination. He says that cross-examination is the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth and the most potent weapon in a trial lawyer’s arsenal.
I, Augustin Zabrautanu, a Romanian lawyer with over 20 years of experience, can tell you that such a course would have been very useful to me 20 years ago!”
Robert Popescu, ESQ., Founding Partner ZĂBRĂUȚANU POPESCU & ASSOCIATES, about the event: ”Cross examination is arguably the most potent weapon in a trial lawyer’s arsenal of litigation tools. In the simplest of terms, it entails the interrogation of an adverse witness in a carefully pre-planned sequence of closed-ended questions, that, ideally posed, should only permit „yes” or „no” answers.
It has often been said that cross examination is the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth. I will go a step farther and also say that in the hands of able counsel, cross examination can be an extremely effective tool to manipulate the perceptions of the fact finder and sway opinion. This, I teach my own students, is its greatest strength and objective.”
Elena Hach, elenahach.ro, about the event: ”An admirable working tool. It trains the involved lawyers to the maximum level. It’s a direct battle, face to face, without intermediaries, with the witness, and the results can be surprising. Nothing compares to looking at them directly in the eye. The emotion of truth or the unease of lies are immediately revealed through the mastery of the exercise. Precious, indispensable, engaging, it closely resembles the applied interrogation of the prosecutor. As a former specialized prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, I highly recommend participating. ”
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Also, we are happy to share with you the reviews of our „The Art of Legal Precision” masterclass participants who were very luky to visit it.
I found the Masterclass to be a useful and very enjoyable experience. It was very well organized and the trainers were experienced and skilled. I particularly appreciated that the course was very practical and interactive, consisting mostly of mock cross examinations and closing arguments, followed by individiual feedback from the trainers.
I was initially concerned that this Masterclass might only be useful for criminal law practicioners, but I find that what you learn is applicable to both civil cases and arbitration.
This masterclass shows that skilful cross-examination is pivotal for litigators across all legal systems and procedural frameworks. Enlightening, a pleasure and a privilege to learn from some exceptional lawyers from the US and Canada.
. . . this great event which brought together US and Romanian attorneys and helped us better understanding how to cross examine witnesses and offer final conclusions in court. In regards to the coaches, I can only offer my heart felt congratulations for an excellent job and for the high level of precision and knowledge bestowed upon us. During the second day we did closing arguments which were a blast of course, especially for me . . .
Thanks to wonderful suport of juridice.ro who facilitated the masterclass in Romania, i had the opportunity to learn more about supporting a case, arrange arguments, assess the facts and present them in front of an experiented team of top notch litigators that made us the honour to spend some days working with us on improving our litigation performance. I learned a lot of new skills on how to deal with a cross-examination and i feel very lucky i met not only some great legal professionals but also wonderful persons.
Organized by Juridice.ro in Bucharest, The Art of Legal Precision – A Masterclass in Trial Advocacy focused on practical exercises in cross-examination and closing arguments. These sessions were designed to provide hands-on experience and valuable feedback, helping participants to refine their techniques in real-time scenarios. I particularly appreciated the instructors continuous efforts to help us improve our questioning style and the clarity of our closing arguments, ensuring that we could communicate more effectively and persuasively in the courtroom. One of the most memorable aspects was the interaction with the attorneys (and the judge) from the USA, gaining insights from their criminal justice system and the significant differences compared to the Romanian system. This cross-cultural exchange was incredibly insightful. I would highly recommend this event to all criminal defense attorneys who wish to practice and enhance their cross-examination techniques and closing argument structure to be more easily understood by the Romanian judges, ultimately leading to a more effective defense strategy.
Top US litigators participated in the event, sharing with us their experience and knowledge. This offered us valuable insights and practical tips for advancing trial advocacy skills. As a criminal defense lawyer, the event presented a great interest for me and provided an excellent opportunity to learn from the top attorneys in the field. After this experience, I feel inspired and equipped with valuable strategies that I can use in my own professional life. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who made this event possible and I look forward to see them again.
The masterclass was an interesting and useful experience, that challenged and allowed us to combine cross-examination principles, specific to common law, with the rules and principles applicable in our legal system. The trainers’ expertise and enthusiasm truly made the experience both informative and engaging. The interactive approach, encouraging participation and questions, made the masterclass dynamic and enjoyable. To everyone involved, thank you for your dedication and hard work in preparing and delivering such a fantastic masterclass.
Witness cross-examination is essential in judicial proceedings. Mastery of asking the right questions at the right moment and in the appropriate manner requires both skill and strategy. The Masterclass training offered a valuable opportunity to develop this ability and learn efficient techniques for both questioning witnesses and presenting compelling arguments. The trainers displayed exceptional expertise. Their methods were straightforward and concise, yet highly professional and effective. They were engaging, responsive to our questions, and adept at tailoring their teachings to fit Romanian procedural rules, making their teachings directly applicable to our legal system. Overall, I highly recommend this Masterclass to any defense attorney seeking to enhance their skills and achieve mastery in their practice.
I found the Masterclass in Trial Advocacy immensely helpful for anyone starting to learn the ropes of cross-examination and closing arguments structure and techniques. The trainers were of an extremely high calibre, and provided an experience which we, as professionals working in Romania, would not be able to otherwise get without going outside of the national borders. I have just one idea on how the program could be improved in the future. The materials which the participants receive beforehand should better communicate what the practical exercises would entail and what the expectations from the participants are. For example, it would have been very useful to know beforehand (in order to more adequately prepare for the exercise): that we would play the part of both the cross-examiner and the witness; some pointers on how to act as the witness (including in order not to make the task too easy or too difficult for the examiner); that we could cross-examine both for the defence and for the prosecution (and the witnesses available for cross-examination in both scenarios); that we would be asked to give a closing argument both for the defence and the prosecution (it would have saved a lot of time if we had prepared the speeches ahead of time, instead of preparing them while others were giving their presentations).
As a Romanian litigation lawyer who deals mainly with civil and commercial disputes „The Art of Legal Precision” was a real challenge which helped me to learn different approaches in litigation. Even though at first I experienced some difficulties (given that I don’t have any kind of experience in the criminal field added to the fact that I had to prepare the cross examination and the closing arguments in another language) at the end of the Masterclass I became more confident in trying to be more creative. It was a unique opportunity to get to know Top US Litigators who shared an incredible experience with us and helped us to begin breaking our bad habits which are stopping us from getting the maximum of our chances in a trial. Also, I am thankful for getting to know a little more about the US legal system and to try to add some of the American legal tricks in the Romanian legal system. All in all, I am thankful for this opportunity and looking forward to new similar experiences which certainly help me to develop myself as a litigation lawyer.
Iulia Didu
3rd year law student
As a law student with a deep passion for criminal law, attending “The Art of Legal Precision – A Masterclass in Trial Advocacy with Top US Litigators from the American College of Trial Lawyers” was an incredibly enriching experience. The event’s structure and content provided invaluable insights and practical skills that are crucial for anyone aspiring to excel in trial advocacy. Day 1: The first day began with an engaging introduction session, allowing all participants to share their backgrounds and objectives. This was a great way to set the stage and foster a collaborative learning environment. The opening lecture on case theory and theme development was particularly enlightening, offering a strategic framework that I can adapt to my future professional expertise. The small group exercises on cross-examination were the highlight of the day. Under the guidance of the amazing trainers, we practiced and refined our techniques, receiving immediate, constructive feedback. This hands-on approach was instrumental in understanding the nuances of effective cross-examination, from maintaining control over the witness to crafting precise questions that elicit the desired responses. Day 2: The second day focused on the art of storytelling in closing arguments. The morning lecture provided a compelling overview of how to construct a persuasive narrative that resonates with jurors. The subsequent exercises allowed us to practice these principles, enhancing our ability to deliver impactful and coherent closing statements. Working in small groups again proved to be incredibly beneficial. The iterative process of performing and critiquing our closing arguments helped solidify the lessons learned and improved our public speaking and argumentation skills. The experience of the masterclass as a whole was exceptionally well-organized, with a balanced mix of lectures, practical exercises, and opportunities for personalized feedback. The suggested readings on basic principles of cross-examination and closing arguments were excellent preparatory materials that complemented the live sessions. Learning directly from top US litigators was an unparalleled opportunity, and I feel more confident and equipped to pursue a career in criminal law. I highly recommend this program to any law student or aspiring litigator seeking to hone their craft in trial advocacy and I cannot wait for the next edition!
Cosmin Constantin
3rd year law student
It was a delightful and unique experience, something that I have never partaken in before. In all honesty, even if I am not sure if I will be able to use the newly acquired skills in our own Law System, it definitely „opened up my eyes” and gave me a new perspective on how to approach a cross-examination in practice, because, up until now, the complexity of such a procedure never even crossed my mind. It was truly an honor to meet everyone and I hope that, with my current 3rd Year Student skills, I at least have not disappointed. Thank you for the exercise and I cannot wait for that, maybe, in the future, we will meet again, even in an actual courtroom.
Maria Enache
3rd year law student
I am so grateful I got the chance to take part in this Masterclass. It is an unmatched opportunity, taking into consideration the fact that it was addressed to practicing lawyers and I attended it as a student. In both of the workshops, the American practitioners gave us a lot of insight on things nobody teaches you, things that you have to learn by experience. The cross-examination workshop taught me how to get exactly what I want from a witness by asking the right questions. It was the closing arguments workshop that I liked the most, though. And I realized that, while it is a sad thing that in Romania, as a defense attorney, you don’t get very much time on that, it is actually possible to present your closing arguments in a short time and address every aspect that you need to. I liked each one of the US practicioners, because each of them brought their unique insight and knowledge to these workshops and their combined feedback allowed me to better see what I will further need to do in my future career. I am deeply thankful to them!
More reviews will be added soon.
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