Understanding the Assignment: A Civil Trial Workshop

The Florida Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee awarded The T.J. Reddick Bar Association and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association a Diversity Leadership Grant to host an all day CLE for minority attorneys that is focused on preparing for civil trials. Thank you to the Florida Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee for this opportunity, as well as the co-sponsors, the F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association and the Jamaican-American Bar Association for helping to make this event possible. (Please note there is a parking fee)

Guest Speakers:

Richard Ryles, Esq. | Judge Renatha Francis | Judge Florence Taylor Barner | Administrative Judge Jennifer Bailey | Sidney Calloway, Esq. | Faudlin Pierre, Esq. | Jennito Simon, Esq. | Takisha Richardson, Esq. | Josiah Graham, Esq. | Leona McFarlene, Esq.

Understanding the Assignment: A Civil Trial Workshop Agenda

8:00a.m. - 8:30a.m.

Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking

8:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.

Welcome/Opening Remarks/Discussion about the importance and state of diversity in civil practice. 

Voluntary Bar Association Representatives

9:00a.m. - 10:15a.m.

Mastering Depositions: How to Take a Winning Deposition

Takisha Richardson, Esq., Of Counsel, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC

BREAK

10:30a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Going to Trial: Now What? A “how to” for trial prep, balancing your caseload, and the financial impact of trial.

Richard Ryles, Esq., Founder, The Ryles Firm

Leona McFarlene, Esq., Assistant County Attorney, Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office

Josiah Graham, Esq., Graham Injury Firm, P.A.

Tania Williams, Esq., The Skilled Advocate Company

12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.

LUNCH

1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m.

Opening and Closing Statements

Faudlin Pierre, Esq. and Jennito Simon, Esq., Pierre Simon LLC.

2:00p.m. - 3:15p.m.

Effective Questioning: Direct and Cross-Examination of a Lay person and an Expert Witness

Sidney Calloway, Esq., Partner, Shutts & Bowen, LLP

Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law

Jodi-Ann Tillman, Esq., Associate, Shutts & Bowen, LLP

BREAK

3:30p.m. - 4:20p.m.

A View from the Civil Bench: professionalism, civility, and what is expected of attorneys during a civil trial.

Judge Jennifer Bailey, Administrative Judge, Circuit Civil, 11th Judicial Circuit

Judge Florence Taylor Barner, County Court Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit

Judge Renatha Francis, Circuit Court Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit

4:20p.m. - 4:30p.m.

Closing

(Please note there is a parking fee)