Civil Trial Certification Exam Prep Course

Date: Sep 10, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Online

Event Code: I041022

Areas of Law: Civil, Ethics

Earn up to 7 credits, including 1.0 in Ethics! (More Information)

Faculty

Keynote

Moderator

Presenters


A course for those looking seeking a comprehensive survey of NJ Civil Trial Practice, OR preparation for the Certification Exam


This program provides a broad overview of civil trial practice for attorneys who are prepping for the Civil Trial Certification Exam or who want a comprehensive course review of civil trial practice.  Presented by New Jersey Certified Civil Trial practitioners along with a Civil Practice Division judge, our program reviews subjects most likely to arise in civil trial practice as set forth by the Board of Attorney Certification:


Learn from a New Jersey State Court Judge and a panel of attorneys certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys


This program will review the following subject areas, which are also the required subjects for the Civil Trial Certification exam:


  • Pretrial Preparation
        a. Problem recognition - advisability of suit-cost considerations
        b. Jurisdiction, venue, and choice of forum
        c. Applicability of statute of limitations
        d. Ethical considerations - conflict of interest - fee arrangements
        e. Competency to accept employment
        f. Retainer agreement
        g. Investigation
        h. Legal research
        i. Settlement procedures
        j. Demand letter

  • Filing Suit
        a. Pleadings
            1) Elements of causes of action and defenses
            2) Elements of damages
            3) Temporary restraining orders and permanent injunctions and other extraordinary
            remedies
        b. Intervention
        c. Pretrial discovery and related motions
        d. Defensive cross-claims and counterclaims
        e. Pretrial practice

  • Trial
        a. Trial strategy and tactics
        b. Jury selection
        c. Opening statement
        d. Introduction and exclusion of evidence
            1) Relevance
            2) Competency of witnesses
            3) Privileges
            4) Presumptions
            5) Impeachment
            6) Opinion and expert testimony
            7) Hearsay and hearsay exceptions
            8) Exclusion for valid reason of evidence otherwise admissible
            9) Judicial notice
            10) Documentary and physical evidence
            11) Cross-examination
            12) Offer for limited purpose and re-offer
            13) Offer of proof
        e. Motions during trial
        f. Establishing a trial court record for appeal
            1) Objections to evidence
            2) Exceptions to charges
            3) Requests to charge the jury
            4) Special interrogatories to the jury
        g. Summation
        h. Court's charge and instruction to the jury
        i. Jury deliberation
        j. Verdicts
        k. Findings of fact and conclusions of law
        l. Post-verdict motions
        m. Judgments
            1) Form
            2) Enforcement

  • Rules of Professional Conduct


CLE Credits
NJ CLE:NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 7 hours of total CLE credit, including 1.0 in Ethics (Full Credits Available: NJ Ethics: 1.0, NJ General: 6.0).
NY CLE (t&nt):NY Ethics Non-Transitional: 1.0, NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 6.0
PA CLE:PA Ethics Credit: 0.5, PA Substantive Credit: 5.0
New: No PACLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program.

Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
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Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:

  • The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
  • Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions 

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.

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Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/