Revisiting Younger's 10 Commandments
An Update of Irving Younger’s
Classic Rules for Cross-Examination
Stephen D. Easton
The overriding issue when any witness testifies—in a mediation, deposition,
pre-trial hearing, or at trial—is his or her credibility. Your effectiveness and success are grounded in your ability to expertly defend your witnesses’ credibility or to effectively attack your adversary’s. In essence, the success of your practice hinges on two simple questions:
What do I ask? and When do I ask it?
A generation of American lawyers was trained by the ultimate master advocate, the incomparable Professor Irving Younger. His astounding wit, charm, skill, experience, and intellect set the standard for excellence in the courtroom and in CLE seminars. Younger’s legend lives on, as Professor Steve Easton brings a fresh and contemporary approach to Younger’s time-honored classic that has served as an essential foundation for real-world practice.
Easton rises to the task of revisiting Younger’s classic Credibility & Cross-Examination—including The 10 Commandments of Cross-Examination. Incorporating video clips from Younger’s masterpiece presentation, Easton takes a fresh look at the philosophy, psychology, and physiology of credibility. He analyzes modern tools for preparing a witness to be credible and reflects on the skills that every lawyer must master to expose an adversary’s lack of credibility.
For 30 years, Younger’s grace and style set an unparalleled standard for excellence in the effective practice of law in the United States. Easton’s contemporary update of Younger’s magnificent work brings fresh relevance and perspective to one of the fundamental building blocks in effective advocacy. Easton will help you reconcile the rules of evidence law and the modern considerations of the craft of advocacy. This fast-paced, media-rich program will both entertain and provide invaluable, practical tips to benefit every practicing lawyer—regardless of age, gender, experience or practice area.
Professors Younger and Easton focus on cutting-edge relevant information that will provide a meaningful and memorable boost to your practice.
Program Highlights
♦ Get training from two of America’s leaders in cross-examination.
♦ Reconcile the rules of evidence law with the modern considerations of the craft of advocacy.
♦ Be entertained and discover valuable, practical tips that will benefit your cross-examination skills.
Program Agenda & Detail
6 Hours Including 1 Ethics
[Part I: 90 Minutes]
Preliminary Thoughts On Cross-Examination
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Terminology
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Three Types of Cross-Examination
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Required Elements for Successful Cross-Examination
Evidence Law Regarding Impeaching and Accrediting
The Law of Impeachment: What You Can of Ask About in Cross
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Competence Factors
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Special Modes of Discrediting
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Reputation for Veracity
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The Law of Accrediting: What You Can Do to Rebuild Credibility
15 Minute Break
[Part II: 90 Minutes]
Irving Younger’s 10 Commandments of Cross-Examination (with a few suggestions)
I. Be Brief: Don't Just Tell Them — Show Them!
II. Ask Short Questions Using Plain Words: Get One Fact Per Question
III. Ask Leading Questions: Write Questions that Must Be Answered "Yes”
IV. Ask Only Questions to Which You Already Know the Answer: Be Ready to “Prove Up” Your Questions Immediately
V. Don’t Let the Witness Merely Repeat Direct Testimony: Set the Trap Before Springing It
VI. Don’t Let the Witness Explain: Secure Your Right to Control the Witness
VII. Listen to the Witness’s Answer: Record Important Testimony in the Witness’s Own Words
VIII. Don’t Quarrel with the Witness: Do Not "Improve” the Witness’s Prior Statements
IX. Avoid the “One Question Too Many”: Stay Well Clear of “the Door”
X. Save the Argument for Summation: Resist the Temptation to Wrap Your Cross into a Neat Package
Break
[Part III: 90 Minutes]
Final Arguments Attacking Witness Credibility
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Fact Witnesses
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Experts
The Truth About Ethics and the Ethics About Truth
15 Minute Break
[Part IV: 90 Minutes]
Attorney Credibility
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Understanding that Most Jurors Believe that Lawyers Cannot Be Trusted
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Overcoming this Belief
Adjourn
Unconditional Guarantee
If you are not convinced that your understanding of the course topic has
improved after completion of any P.E.G.® seminar, we will refund your course tuition.