On July 16, Tucker Ellis kicked off Trial Academy 2025, a one-of-a-kind program that gives our trial attorneys a unique opportunity to enrich their courtroom skills. Trial Academy differs from outside trial-skills programs in that our attorneys receive personalized guidance and support from veteran Tucker Ellis trial lawyers who already know them and their practices. This allows participants to more effectively hone their strengths, identify their weaknesses, and overall enhance their capabilities as trial lawyers.

Our trial lawyers gathered in Cleveland for a full day of CLE sessions led by Tucker Ellis partners and special guest Professor Andrew Pollis of Case Western Reserve University School of Law. The sessions were designed to sharpen courtroom skills and prepare teams for their upcoming Trial Academy mock trials, covering everything from voir dire and evidentiary pitfalls to expert witness strategy and closing arguments.

The sessions covered the following topics:

• Trial Potpourri: Cliff Mendelsohn discussed the critical behaviors and etiquette that make trial attorneys more effective in the courtroom, including how to interact with the judge and jurors, courtroom customs and traditions, and often overlooked rules of civil procedure.
• Planning to Win/Theory of the Case & Discussion: Mike Zellers discussed the importance of developing a theory of the case and themes early in the litigation process, including examples of successful themes, what made them compelling to juries, and how they were interwoven with the evidence presented.
• Evidence – Common (and Not Common) Mistakes New (and Old) Lawyers Are Likely to Make: Professor Andrew Pollis provided practical refreshers on the Rules of Evidence and discussed critical evidence rules that impact testimony and the way judges and juries view an attorney’s case.
• Voir Dire: Knight Anderson discussed strategies for voir dire, including the challenges of potential jurors for cause or peremptory challenges and tips and strategies for seating a jury likely to be pre-disposed in your client’s favor.
• Use of Demonstratives and PowerPoints in Opening Statement: Chelsea Mikula addressed how to prepare and use demonstrative evidence and PowerPoints in opening statements, including how much to use, how to ensure the court will permit their use, and common mistakes attorneys make.
• Admission of Exhibits & Discussion: Joe Manno presented on the use of Exhibits at trial, including the decision on whether to use an exhibit, how to deal with bad documents, how to lay a proper foundation for admissibility, and other strategies.
• Rule 702 and Daubert Challenges: James Mizgala addressed the use of experts at trial, including Daubert challenges, as well as how to craft an effective direct and cross of an expert, with emphasis on controlling the courtroom, the witness, and the testimony; clearly and forcefully presenting your case on direct of an expert and what to do and not do on cross examination of an expert; and when – and when not – to ask questions on redirect of an expert.
• Closing Argument: Laura Hong led a discussion on how to craft and deliver an effective and compelling closing argument, including keeping the jury’s interest, using effective examples of the evidence and exhibits, and discussing how to end the case before submission to the jury.

On August 27–29, two trial teams will go head-to-head in a simulated trial involving allegations of product defects and property damage – putting their advocacy skills to the test in a complex, high-stakes case. Maha Kabbash and M.D. Akinmurele will represent the Plaintiff, assisted by Lucy Zelina. Spencer Krebs and Jay Shultz will represent the Defendant, assisted by Brooke Pauley.