How a Complaint Gets to Trial: Litigation Nuts and Bolts - In-Person
While Hollywood loves a good trial scene, lawyers know that most cases are won or lost well before they are presented to a judge or jury. Pre-trial litigation is stressful — one mistake can cost you the entire case. In this program, you will develop an organized strategy to frame your case, find important facts, and avoid those costly errors. Taught by a faculty with years of collective litigation experience, you will leave with an essential list of tasks and strategies, to help you win cases for your clients.
- Qusair Mohamedbhai on pre-trial litigation: the big picture
- Complaints, answers, discovery, summary judgment, and jury instructions
- Magistrate Judges on what they want to see in the pre-trial process
CBA-CLE will email webinar access information to registrants 24-48 hours before the program.
Home studies will be available approximately 2-3 weeks following the live program.
If disability accommodations or special assistance are needed, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the scheduled program.
The program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Colorado. If you need to seek accreditation in another state, please review the process and requirements for that individual state. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee’s responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
8:00 – 8:30 am
Registration and Coffee
8:30 – 8:40 am
Welcome and Introduction
Presented by Kevin Cheney, Esq., Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, LLC, Program Chair
8:40 – 9:30 am
The Big Picture: Handling the Nuts and Bolts While Keeping Your Goals and Strategy in Mind
Presented by Qusair Mohamedbhai, Esq., Rathod Mohamedbhai, LLC
9:30 – 10:20 am
Drafting and Responding to a Complaint
Presented by Kevin Cheney, Esq., Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, LLC
10:20 – 10:30 am
Stretch Break
10:30 – 11:20 am
Discovery
- Discuss the basic rules and case law as it applies to discovery in civil and domestic relations cases, including the standards, limitations, and remedies when an opposing party does not respond. Learn tips and tricks for issuing and responding to discovery requests in civil and domestic relations cases.
- Understand key differences between discovery in civil and domestic relations cases.
Presented by Cheyenne Somers, Esq. and Kaela Zihlman, Esq., Griffiths Law, PC
11:20 am – 12:10 pm
Depositions
Presented by Duncan Griffiths, Esq., Griffiths Law PC
12:10 – 1:10 pm
Lunch on Your Own
1:10 – 2:00 pm
Drafting and Defending Motions for Summary Judgment
- Understand options for effectively structuring a summary judgment brief.
- Learn new ways to synthesize information so that you may present it cleanly and powerfully.
- Consider common pitfalls that may be avoided, including the differences between submitting materials in state vs. federal court, and avoiding taking on unnecessary burdens.
Presented by Robyn Levin, Esq., and Nelson A. Waneka, Esq., Levin Sitcoff Waneka PC
2:00 – 2:50 pm
Effective Use of Expert Witnesses
- Consulting pre-suit to understand your case earlier
- Coordinating with multiple experts for efficiency
- Navigating disclosures and CRCP 26(a)(2)
- Bringing testimony to life at trial with visuals and demonstrations
Presented by Sarah T. McEahern, Esq., Zaner Harden Law
2:50 – 3:00 pm
Stretch Break
3:00 – 3:50 pm
The Art of Jury Instructions
- When and how to use the Colorado Jury Instructions for Civil Trials
- Key concepts to consider in drafting a “new” instruction
- Negotiating stipulated instructions with opposing counsel and presenting argument to the court
Presented by K.C. Harpring, Esq., Dormer Harpring, LLC
3:50 – 4:40 pm
A View from the Bench
- Pre-trial litigation tips and tricks from the judicial officers who handle most pre-trial matters
- Best practices for pre-trial conferences, discovery disputes, and non-dispositive motions
- Balancing zeal in advocacy, professional discretion, and courtesy and respect under Rule 1.3
Presented by Honorable Maritza Dominguez Braswell, Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, District of Colorado, and Honorable N. Reid Neureiter, Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, District of Colorado
Submitted for 0.5 Professional Responsibility Credits
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $229.00 |
| CBA Member | $199.00 |
| Paralegal/Support Staff | $125.00 |
| Active Military | $125.00 |
| Public Service/Government | $125.00 |
| CBA Young Lawyer Division | $99.00 |
| Elite Pass Holder | $0.00 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $0.00 |
| Law Student | $0.00 |
- General Credits: 8.00
- Ethics Credits: 0.50
- EDI Credits:
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