Michael Hill

1. Should I Take the case?: How to select the winnable case
   Every great big verdict or settlement starts with a great case. Learning hot select the winning elder abuse case and spot the losers.
2. Simplifying the case: Why proving too much can be a bad thing
   Most nursing home cases have many instances of potential of abuse, neglect, and negligence. But does the jury need those to find in your client’s favor? Learn how to eliminate the distractions and focus on the winning issues.
3. Finding the “why” behind abuse and neglect and abuse: Proving the systemic caseJuries determine the standard of care, not experts. Learn how to conduct focus groups at multiple stages of the case to determine what motivates the jury—from presuit, during litigation and pretrial. We’ll also discuss how to set focus groups yourself, choose the venue for focus groups, and conduct them at the right stages of the case.
4. Breaking through the corporate shell game: Who has the money and where to find it?
   Every act of negligence, neglect, and abuse has a reason behind it, and it’s rarely because of bad caregivers. Learn how to find the “why” the bad acts occurred.
5. Who to depose and how: A great trial begins with locking in testimony at depositions. Learn who to depose, when to depose them, and what to ask them. This includes the nursing staff and corporate 30(b)(6) depositions.
6. Photographs and video evidence: How to use visuals the right way and avoid desensitizing the jury
7. The Power and Pitfalls of Federal and State Regulations
   Many elder abuse lawyers focus on the federal and state regulations. There is a time to use them and time to avoid them. Learn how to determine whether they are good for your case.
8. Jury Selection: How to find the right jury in a non pure economic damages case for the elderly
   Cases might not be won during jury selection, but effective voir dire can shift the case significantly in your favor. Many lawyers plan their jury selection close to trial, doing what they do in every case. Learn how to plan your jury selection well in advance—modifying it through the lifecycle of your case. Learn how to identify what’s appealing and what isn’t, identify and dispose of the warts, research potential jurors based on the jurisdiction, and prepare effective juror questionnaires.
9. Conducting Jury Selection in a pure noneconomic case: Preparing the jury to award big verdicts for the loss of life when there is little time left to live
   Learn how to use the judge’s voir dire to make juries the heroes and set up closing arguments and conduct voir dire by providing a roadmap to the case in 60 minutes.
10. Opening Statement: Win the case in opening statement
    Every winning case has a great story. Learn how to tell the story, make jurors the champions of your cause, and undermine the defense.
11. Presenting witnesses: Who to call, what to ask, and when to call them
    Jurors believe witnesses when they make a personal connection. This begins with your connection to the witness. Learn how prepare witnesses for trial by making a personal connection with them. This includes making a personal connection during with your clients, former employees, and experts. Also learn when to present them and why.
12. The Purpose of Damages: Maximizing non-economic damages for 7 and 8 figure verdicts in closing argument
    Closing argument is where you bring it all together. Learn how to empower jurors to award large verdicts using simple principles that focus on the wrongdoing and not on your client.