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Advocacy & Alternative Dispute Resolution: Basic Sources/Overview

This guide provides links and descriptions to many of the library's resources related to advocacy and dispute resolution, including trial advocacy, client counseling, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, evidence and professional responsibility.

Encyclopedic Sources

American Jurisprudence TrialsKF8915.A74 - 10th Floor.  According to the extended title, this 100+ volume set is an encyclopedic guide to the modern practices, techniques, and tactics used in preparing and trying cases, with model programs for the handling of all types of litigation.  The set contains annotations on trying specific cases. Annotations include guidance on all aspects of the trial procedure, including opening and closing arguments, instructing the jury, and examining witnesses.  

Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts. KF8925.C55 B87 2011 - 10th Floor. This nine-volume treatise covers all aspects of commercial litigation in federal courts.  Nearly one hundred chapters include the treatment of a wide variety of claims.  It also includes forms, checklists, jury instructions, and other tables.  

Texts

ALI-ABAs Practice Checklist Manual for Trial Advocacy: Checklists, Forms, and Advice from the Practical Litigator.  KF 8915.A55 2001 - 6th Floor (Reserve) & 10th Floor. This manual includes 34 checklists and more than 300 pages of practical advice from 22 experienced litigators.  The Manual also includes a CD-ROM with all of the forms, checklists, and articles that appear in the manual.

Cardinal Rules of Advocacy: Understanding and Mastering Fundamental Principles of Persuasion. KF311.L37 2002 - 10th Floor. Written by a noted jurist, this text presents the fundamental principles of persuasion in a clear and easy-to-understand format.  Judge Lavine claims there are certain recurring, core principles of persuasion that can be studied and, when mastered, lead to successful advocacy.

The First Trial in a NutshellWhere Do I Sit? What Do I Say? KF8915.Z9 G59 2009 - 6th Floor (Academic Success & Reserve). This guide concentrates on the overall approach to trying a case, weaving persuasion and procedure to help lawyers and law students prepare for their first trials with confidence.  It is intended as a primer for law students and beginning trial attorneys.

How to Try a Jury Case: Trial Tactics. KF8972.K56 2007 - 10th Floor. This book provides a comprehensive guide to effective strategies and techniques for presenting a compelling case in front of a jury, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, jury selection, and persuasive argumentation.

The How-to-Win Trial Manual: Winning Trial Advocacy in a Nutshell. KF8915.F56 2011 - 10th Floor. This guide serves as a practical resource for legal practitioners, outlining essential trial advocacy strategies, including case analysis, jury selection, and effective storytelling to engage jurors. 

Modern Trial Advocacy Analysis and Practice. KF8915.A7 L82 2004 - 10th Floor.  The author guides the beginning advocate in developing a winning case theory through all phases of the trial. He explains how to present a case as a story and how to tell the story to the jury powerfully and persuasively. 

Trial Advocacy Basics. KF8915.G54 2006 - 10th Floor. This text offers a complete and concise guide to the beginning trial advocate. Practical advice on every stage of trial preparation and practice is explained in a straightforward manner, using colorful examples, memorable quotes, and humor.

Trial Technique and Evidence. KF 8915.F64 2013 - 10th Floor. This guide is a valuable resource and in-depth guide dedicated to assisting the trial attorney in every aspect of preparing for and conducting trials, including understanding and applying the rules of evidence in the trial. This edition adds material on electronic evidence, expert witnesses, examination of witnesses, jury studies and their implications for trial practice, and changes to the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Trial Techniques and Trials. KF8915.M38 2017 - 6th Floor (Academic Success)Trial Techniques and Trials is a comprehensive yet concise handbook that covers all aspects of the trial process. Includes chapters on all aspects of the trial process and examples illustrating strategies for opening statements, jury selection, direct- and cross-examination, exhibits, objections, and more. 

Trials: Strategy, Skills, and the New Powers of Persuasion. KF8915.T384 - 10th Floor. This text covers trial theory and practice, emphasizing the jurors' perspective, the increased necessity of an effective opening statement, and the importance now given to visual presentation at trial.  

Winning at Trial. KF 8915.R43 2007 - 10th Floor & Reserve MediaWinning at Trial is the only book that teaches trial skills by analyzing videos and transcripts of actual trials. It is also the only book that reveals the secrets of jury decision-making through the use of video in collaboration with one of the nation's foremost jury consultants (DecisionQuest).