Description:The attorney is called upon to assume the tasks of
writer, director and actor, but is usually only trained in the
rules and procedures of the law. The Art of Advocacy: What Can
Lawyers Learn From Actors teaches lawyers how to translate
ideas, opinions, research and facts of a trial or other
professional presentation into live three-dimensional events. The
program demonstrates how to employ the full spectrum of verbal and
non-verbal communication skills of the performing artist to connect
with jurors, clients and judges to win more cases, create better
settlements and generally communicate much more
effectively.
Attorneys and actors share a common mission … to create a
riveting drama that demands the listener's attention and directs
the listener's point of view to convince him or her of the story's
desired outcome! Persuasion is the point of every word the actor
and the lawyer speaks. A performance comes alive when the actor or
lawyer connects deeply with an audience through a masterful command
of evocative language, human emotion and skillful pacing …
resulting in an ovation for the actor … a decisive WIN for the
attorney. Presented in three sessions - webcast attendees join a
workshop that offers concrete solutions to courtroom "performance"
and presentation challenges.
SESSION I: Acting Like a
Human Being: Demeanor and Skills in Storytelling (Opening
and Closing).
Attendees learn the elements of storytelling and how to create and
delivery "telegrams" -- ten word messages from lawyer to juror.
Attendees learn how to explore and use their own personal demeanors
for sharing the client's story in the courtroom.
SESSION II:
Actor/Playwright Meets Lawyer: Inflection, Orchestration
and Meter (Closing Argument).
Through a written and performance exercises and observation,
attendees learn meter and rhythm in language and the importance of
the three primary delivery inflections … falling, rising and
sustaining and how to apply them to closing argument.
SESSION III: Directing
the Trial: Skills in Questioning and Controlling Focus
(Direct and Cross).
In this portion of the program, the viewer learns how to not only
control the focus of the jurors, but also how to control the
witness in both direct and cross examination. Through watching the
participants and watching through the eyes of the witness and the
juror, the attorney learns what it feels like to be in those places
in the courtroom in order to get a greater understanding of how to
control those who sit in those places. The rising inflection (the
questioning inflection) is also briefly reviewed and viewers are
able to observe additional examples.
Alan Blumenfeld and Katherine James will take questions and
moderate the live Chat Room discussion.
Presented by Periaktos Productions, LLC™
and Produced by ACT of Communication®: Consultants in the Art
of Advocacy
About the Speakers:
Alan Blumenfeld holds a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence
College and an M.F.A. from American Conservatory Theatre. He is a
film, television and theatre professional and has appeared in over
200 roles on television (including Cheers, NYPD Blue and
Grey's Anatomy), scores of films (including Righteous
Kill with Al Pacino) and in live productions with numerous
repertory companies around the world (including Berkshire Theatre
in Stockbridge, MA, The Globe in Los Angles, Richard Rodgers
Theatre in New York and San Francisco Opera.)
Katherine James holds a B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan
University and an MFA from American Conservatory Theatre. She is a
film, television and theatre professional and has appeared in
numerous television shows (including Family Ties and
L.A. Law) and films (including The Right Stuff
and Easy Mark) and in live productions with numerous
repertory companies around the world (including American
Conservatory Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pacific
Conservatory of the Performing Arts and San Francisco Opera.)
Both Mr. Blumenfeld and Ms. James are
nationally recognized as top Trial and Witness Preparation
Consultants and they specialize in teaching courtroom communication
using skills based in the discipline of theatre. They are experts
in learning and education theory, as well as the study of human
behavior - how people learn, how people process information and how
they deliberate. Ms. James and Mr. Blumenfeld have trained
thousands of attorneys in workshop settings, CLE programs and
private trial consultation. They teach precise theatrical
techniques lawyers can use to optimize results in witness
preparation, depositions and negotiation conferences, trial
strategy, judge and juror communications, opening and closing
statements, mediation, arbitration and other professional
appearances and settings. They make their home in Los Angeles,
CA.
Webcast Info:Tuition:
NCBA Member $159
Non-Member $189
LANC/PD Member $139
Judge, Law Professor, Law Student, Paralegal Student,
Passport and Early Bird tuition rates do not apply.
Registration for webcasts can only be taken online with a credit
card.
Webcast Dates:
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Location:
No accommodations information available at this time. Please check back for updates. |